SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – In San Jose, a high school football team has a shot to go to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
But amid the excitement, the team is also dealing with a loss. Assistant coach Chris Ruane passed away from cancer during the middle of the season.
Gunderson High School, which produced NFL players such as ex-Green Bay Packer James Jones, is now building towards something special.
For the first time in a long time, the school’s football team is knocking on the door of a CCS playoff birth – their first one in years.
The prolific season for the Grizzlies couldn’t come at a better time after Ruane passed away midseason. He was only 38 years old.
“He was very deep to my heart. He means a lot to me, and I miss him every day,” said assistant coach Justin Flores.
Flores spent his first coaching year with Ruane. He says he tries to channel him every day.
“His favorite thing was coaching. I learned a lot just in the one year of coaching with him. It’s more about the relationship with the kids than football. Teaching them to be better men, better mindset,” he said.
The young athletes are learning the sport, leadership and dealing with grief. Coach Jason Harrison says dealing with the loss teaches his kids a lot.
“Just try to keep these guys grounded, like life isn’t promised like this game. Don’t take anything for granted. The game of sports and life can end in a second,” Harrison said.
With stickers of Coach Chris’ past teams and lanyards with his photo, the team says this season is dedicated to Coach Chris. Players past and present attended his funeral.
With every catch, block and run, this team is paving its way toward the playoffs and remembering the man who helped them get there.
“Every day we remember Coach Chris. The same way he fought each day, but for his life, we got to fight on. And the best way to remember him is to take off and do something that hasn’t happened in a long time.”
The team will have to win their next two games to make it to the playoffs. The last time Gunderson made the playoffs was 2015.
