By: Mia Groeninger '25
C-A-T-E…C-A-T-E…C-A-T-E! The chant echoes across campus around 3:45 pm as the football team concludes their warm-up. Players are arranged in straight lines, doing jumping jacks in unison to the beat of C-A-T-E. The sea of identical royal blue uniforms and strict formation appear rather militant. Yet, almost as soon as the drill starts, it comes to an end, and footballs fly through the air whilst helmets clank and cleats kick up patches of dirt. The boys tackle each other playfully but quickly focus when needed to avoid extra sprints. They can transition from singing Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful” at the top of their lungs to executing deliberate plays seamlessly.
For the past four years, their schedule has remained consistent: Monday film and conditioning days, Tuesday offensive periods, Wednesday defense in full pads, Thursday offense/defense practice and lift, and Friday walk-throughs before a big game. After a challenging past two years, the team has two goals in mind: go undefeated through playoffs and win a championship ring.
In 2021, the Cate Rams triumphantly earned the title of CIF Champions but were unable to keep the streak in 2022 and 2023. This year, the Rams are undefeated thus far and as Assistant Coach Randy Person ‘10 stated, “exactly where we want to be.” He sees this year as a culmination of years of effort, saying, “It’s been a four-year process…but now we are seeing the fruits of their labor over their career.” Similarly, in comparing this year’s performance with last year’s, Coach Craig Bouma discussed some of the challenges, including injury, illness, and inexperience that hindered the team from excelling. He also attributes their current victories to the journey of hard work and struggle over the past two years, especially that of the fifteen seniors, many of whom have played since freshman year. While this number is relatively abnormal for eight-man football, it has proved helpful, according to Person, because with an influx of strong younger players, “It is cool to watch them find success by way of their own work and also by the tutelage of some of the older players.” Bouma also acknowledged the depth of their dedication to the Cate football program, adding, “They have their eyes on the prize, they’re not just out there to participate in an after-school activity, I think these seniors really are a team, they really love playing for each other and with each other.”
This year, the team dynamic has shifted slightly, with six captains representing different positions on the field, a change that captain, linebacker, and running back, Cody Mast ‘25 said improves the program’s overall “fluidity.” He also mentioned a variety of different leadership styles in the past partially contributing to the team’s lack of alignment. Mast elaborated that the main change this year is that, “All the seniors do a really good job communicating and getting on the same page and fostering the sort of environment where everyone is dedicated and working hard towards the same goal…I think that’s what sets us apart from last year’s group.”
After losing to Valley Christian Academy and Chadwick School last season, the Cate Rams avenged their losses by defeating their opponents, 40-20 and 29-22, respectively. Mast recalled these as two pivotal moments for the team, paving their path toward the championship. Person described two equally as critical turning points when the team was down in two of their first three games. He always says, “One play can change a game, just don’t blink,” and the Rams were sure to keep their eyes wide open, emerging victorious despite early setbacks.
While the wins have continued to bolster excitement amongst the team and supporters, Bouma noted that Head Coach, Ben Soto, is not primarily concerned with the statistics. “His number one priority, he doesn’t have the word win up there, it’s family.” Bouma, whose two sons, Will ‘21 and Henry ‘25, have gone through the Cate football program was able to provide a lens into the values instilled in the players, ranging from hard work and grit to selflessness. The senior Rams have been an embodiment of Cate’s motto, Servons, meaning “to serve,” throughout the entirety of the season. Bouma underscored the gratifying feeling of the teammates learning to put the family first, stating, “It is something you can’t replicate like making money or getting an A, like to play well with your friends, I think is a certain level of joy that this team really wants.” There is a dichotomy between the inherently rough nature of the sport and the deep satisfaction that the guys find in playing for each other. The family is truly one of a kind, as football beyond high school often becomes transactional, with much greater stakes, so Bouma is cherishing Henry’s senior year, whilst “watching something pretty special emerge.”
As the season unfolds, the team’s early victories have only strengthened their resolve to finish strong together. Though tougher, faster teams await, the Rams are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. “It’s really a testament to the senior class,” says Person, “how close they are, outside of football, on the field, during warm-ups, they’re goofy, but they’re supportive, they’re literally brothers, and then there’s just a consistency and comradery that I’ve not seen before to this extent in my ten years of coaching.”
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