Steamboat Springs and Coal Ridge football players spread across Gardner Field arm-in-arm for a moment of silence Saturday night in memory of Jesse Hamric, who was last year’s starting quarter back for the Sailors and died in an accident this summer.

At the end of the game, the Sailors had come from behind to win their season opener at home 28-21.

“I know everyone got tearful-eyed on the sideline including me,” said Kenny Orce, a former teammate of Hamric. “Jesse Hamric was an upstanding man to say the least and one hell of a quarterback — that’s for sure. He carried on a Steamboat legacy.”

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In Saturday’s season opener, Steamboat players wore stickers that read “JH” on the back of their helmets while the Coal Ridge Titans honored Hamric with a red No. 8 — Hamric’s number with the Sailors — on their helmets.

As the opening kick flew through the air, football season was officially underway, and it started with a bang when the visiting Titans took advantage of a missed assignment and scored a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

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However, the Sailors had no trouble brushing the play off as Steamboat coach Scott Przymus said his team continued to “defend the ‘Boat with strength and honor.” 

“We’ve built a pretty darn strong boat so far, and I told them today is the first day we actually get to put it on the water and test it out,” Przymus said. “There’s going to be huge ups and way downs, and we have to stay steady through all of that and lean into it. Trust in yourself, trust in your teammates and we’ll keep rowing.”

The Sailors broke a number of big plays on offense, both on the ground with running back Thomas Krupp and in the air with quarterback Tanner Cobb finding wide receiver Cohen Vanderbosch in several key moments.

However, the play of the game might have come on defense with the game tied at 21-all early in the third quarter.

With the Coal Ridge quarterback throwing under pressure, Orce pulled in an interception and returned the ball deep in the red zone to set up a rushing touchdown that gave Steamboat a seven-point lead.

That would be the final scoring play for either team.

“I’m a lineman and I’m not supposed to be doing all that,” Orce said. “I think you could tell by the way I ran the ball. I’ve never caught a ball with gloves before. I’m surprised I did catch it, but I had tunnel vision to the end zone. Unfortunately, I was a few yards short, but better luck next time.”

Przymus said he was happy with the Sailors’ performance and has already seen much growth from last season. Steamboat will have a tough test next week with a rivalry matchup against Moffat County on the road Friday night. 

“Enjoy tonight and then get ready to come back to work on Monday,” Przymus said of his advice to his players. “Luckily, we came away healthy and we’ll be able to get ready for that Moffat County game over in Craig, which is always a fun environment.”

Coal Ridge 21, Steamboat Springs 28
CR: 14 7 0 0 — 21
SS:  0 14 14 0 — 28