Senior Nick Radi and sophomore King Stevenson celebrate a touchdown. photo by Jocelyn Millard
A look inside of the 2025 Spartan Football team.
The Spartans started the 2025 season with a nail biting victory against Niwot, finishing with a score of 36-35. In the following weeks, the team and the coaching staff put in the work to improve their game. That effort paid off big time during the homecoming game, when TJ upset the Highland Ranch Falcons 35-28. Senior captain Gavin Vasquez called it one of his favorite moments of the year, saying “it felt good playing better than they did.” That win reflected both the players’ and coaches’ dedication as well as their drive. Vasquez emphasized the impact of the coaching staff as well, saying “our coaches bring a ton of experience.”
Momentum continued to build as the season went on. The Spartans picked up wins against Denver North, and Aurora Central, evening their record at 4-4. However, perhaps the most memorable win came on senior night, when TJ defeated George Washington 20-7, extending their win streak to 3. Senior quarterback and captain Nick Radi, described it as a standout moment saying, “beating GW on our senior night was a good experience, especially with it being a big game.” Many students also showed up to support the boys so there was quite a crowd celebrating this big win.
The season wasn’t without challenges, though. Senior captain Cole Anderson explained, “we suffered some injuries with big players, which definitely held us back in a few games.” Beyond those injuries, the Spartans also struggled with consistency. Vasquez summed it up with a blunt assessment, “TJ beat TJ,” while Radi agreed, noting, “We were beating ourselves.”
As the regular season came to a close, the Spartans fell to the Montbello Warriors. Thinking their season was done, the Spartans were in for a surprise, when they were granted the #23 seed in playoffs. They then faced the #7 seed, Riverdale Ridge in the first round of playoffs. The team fell short, officially sealing their season and ending with a record of 5-6.
While the season had its ups and downs, the Spartans set clear goals at the beginning of the season. They wanted to make playoffs, maintain eligibility for all varsity players, and establish consistency in attendance and effort at every practice. Radi reflected, “We definitely had the goal of making playoffs, and we did it.” Vasquez added, “none of the varsity players were ineligible, which was huge.” Beyond their goals, the team became more than just teammates, they became a family, practicing five to six times a week and spending upwards of four hours together each day. Radi added, “We built connections within the team that we’ll never forget.”
Looking ahead, the Spartans have a young team ready to step into big leadership roles and continue building on the foundation the seniors established this year. Vasquez noted, “A lot of the young guys have the potential to step up, and take command of the team.” He emphasized the importance of leadership and accountability in the years to come. Anderson added on saying, “I have a few people in mind that work really hard and can lead the team well, I hope they will take that next step and find that level of leadership.” With young talent and a strong work ethic, the future of TJ football looks bright.
Overall, the 2025 season was full of growth, resilience, and teamwork for the Spartans. Despite facing injuries and challenges along the way, the team celebrated unforgettable victories, built lasting bonds, and achieved the goals they set at the start of the year. With young players ready to step up and the culture the seniors have set in place, they leave the program to continue its legacy of hard work, commitment, and camaraderie in the seasons to come.
