After waiting for his chance, senior Luke Gombert finally gets to lead the football team he so dearly loves into the mystery of a new season.

Last year’s star quarterback Levi Williams headed up to Laramie to play for the University of Wyoming Cowboys, leaving Gombert the easy choice to replace him. After paying his dues at every level of the school’s football hierarchy, Gombert is finally in line for the starting job. 

Gombert isn’t just passing by. No, this is one of his dreams. He grew up on Ranger football, and now, after hours upon hours of training, he gets to take hold of that dream and lead it where he wishes.

“I have been watching Smithson Valley quarterbacks play in Ranger Stadium since I was 2 years old,” he said. “Throughout that period, I have learned grit and relentless effort for the teammates around me. I have truly learned what it takes to play at Smithson Valley.”

Despite being a new starter, Gombert is ready to step into his own and become a leader. And so far, he says, that quest has gone well.

“It has not been any different (than before I was a starter) honestly, because of how these are the guys I grew up with and (I) have been with them for a while,” he said. “Also, doing boot camp brought us together to a whole new level of brotherhood.”

The “brotherhood” appears to be really important to the quarterback, who hasn’t yet gotten extended snaps at the varsity level. The higher the comfort level, the more successful he’ll be, and the closer he gets to his ultimate goal: that elusive state championship.

But no matter how long it lasts, Gombert is going to enjoy every second of it.

“The best part about being in Ranger football is being able to do what I love with the men I have [grown] up with… my brothers,” he said.”

And he’ll praise those brothers, rain or shine, regardless of which side of the ball they’re on.

“The speed of our defense seems to be dominant in scrimmages,” said Gombert.

Despite his lack of game experience, the new signal caller is rich in knowledge and life experience. And he deflected questions about himself, clearly preferring to talk about others than himself. He jumped at the bit to compliment his “brothers,” lauding the experience of his returning teammates. 

Clearly the most important part of Gombert’s job is what he does on the field. But as a clear leader and role model, he ventures into uncharted territory, leading his brothers into the future.