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ed to do a little extra to get a chance From Eaton to NFL, to go to the next level.” Hard work and dedication are nothing new to Eaton athletes, Sieg’s favorite memory demonstrates These small-town Eaton’s hard work, he said, “When we scored 18 points in under two minutes to come from behind and boys have made it big beat Brush. I don’t think I will ever redzone forget that.” Sieg left his mark on Eaton high school where he will be the athlete ure, Eaton's latest NFL standouts are making big plays, but if that made the NFL. The task is you want to know how phenomenal they are, just ask anybody from nearly impossible, fewer than 2 per- S cent of high school athletes make it home. Perhaps former Eaton Red and NFL player, Seth Lobato, said to the pros in any sport. it best: It’s easy to support the hometown guys when they’re such Even attending college for athlet- ics is a difficult task; only 7 percent likable and high character people. In a small town of just over 4,000 people, of athletes are able to play college many might not expect to see amazing athletes go pro. Most of the time, pro players sports. come from big cities and schools that are the size of Eaton’s whole town. Eaton High But Sieg is not alone in the NFL. One of his best friends who gradu- School haas two players in the NFL this year from the small town of Eaton, Colorado, ated with him from high school Trent Sieg and Austin Ekeler. plays for the Los Angeles Chargers- austinekeler trentsieg -Austin Ekeler. coleschumacher Ekeler had an incredible total of in the NFL. “It’s pretty amazing to on the football team, so then I was Austin Ekeler (right) jadenstone ping since middle school. My dad Sieg will face off against Ekeler on sportseditor 4393 rushing yards on 461 carries, see Austin out there living his dream like ‘now I’m going to start focusing out-maneuvers a sportseditor made me learn it because it is a good November 7 and they will go head- averaging 129.2 rushing yards per and doing well at what he loves.” on this sport, it’s what I love to do.’ Platte Valley defender skill to have on your resume to get to-head again on December 22. Austin Ekeler is ripping up the game and 9.5 yards per carry. He As a mom, Suzanne is very sup- I started going to more camps over for one of his five touch- Trent Sieg a 2012 Eaton High recruited. Then in college, I started “I’m excited to see him," Sieg said. 2019 NFL season on the San Diego also had 581 receiving yards on 33 portive of Austin as she’s able to go the summer and working hard in the downs in a 2012 high School graduate is now the long to focus on it as my main position.” "He is one of my best friends, and Chargers. Ekeler got his chance to receptions, averaging 17.6 yards per to just about every game. Suzanne offseason,” Ekeler said. school game. Ekeler cur- snapper for the Oakland Raiders On a field goal, the long snapper I could not be more proud of the shine when starting running back catch. In total Austin attained 70 said, “Typically I’m traveling by my- His best memory from high school rently plays for the Los and has been with the team for two delivers the ball on a 7-8 yard snap career he has been having. It's just Melvin Gordan suffered an MCL rushing touchdowns and 80 receiv- self. I will fly in Sunday morning, football, Ekeler said, was his entire Angeles Chargers wear- years now. to the place-holder. The result of a crazy to look back at how far we injury last year during a regular sea- ing touchdowns in his high school drive to the game, watch the game, senior year. “It was special to me ing the number 32. He was signed by the Baltimore bad snap could result in losing an have both come from the small town son game. career. take Austin out for dinner, then fly because of the group that I grew up Ravens after his college career at opportunity for three points. Long of Eaton." In the first game of the season, Football coach, basketball coach home that same night.” with. We were together from kinder- Trent Sieg (below) Colorado State University. Sieg went snapping is a job that requires steady Both Sieg and Ekeler played Col- Ekeler racked up three outstanding and P.E. teacher, Dean Grable said, Going from a small 2A school garten to graduation, we were like a reaches for an offensive through many challenges during nerves and flawless repetition. Sieg lege football in Colorado. touchdowns, making coaches and “Austin had the best work ethic I’ve in Colorado to being in the NFL family on the team; we were super pass in a snowy 2A state his high school career, but he said said, “The most difficult part about Sieg walked on at Colorado State fans stand up and take notice. But ever seen. He never took a rep off teaches you to appreciate the little close. playoff game in 2011 exposure was his biggest hurdle to the job is just how consistent you University in Fort Collins, while coming out of nowhere is nothing on warm ups and sets. Just from the things, Austin said. “Back in Eaton, I go back and watch those high against Platte Valley. overcome. need to be on every rep. The punter’s Ekeler attended Western Colorado new to this incredibly talented and way he worked you knew he was it’s a smaller school, you don’t have school games and it makes me get “The biggest challenge coming job depends a lot on how easy you University in Gunnison. Sieg said, “I hardworking athlete. something special.” all of the best equipment, you kind emotional; I’ll never forget it.” from a small town was probably to make it for him, so you want to do was recruited to CSU as a walk-on Most people might not know it, Going on his third year in the NFL, of have to work with what you got When the Chargers played the actually gain interest from college virtually the same thing every time.” long snapper, and once I got there, I but, Austin James Ekeler graduated Ekeler has 481 rushing yards on 112 and get by with that and now it’s to Raiders on November 7, and again coaches," Sieg said. Small schools EHS was a big part of Sieg’s young was able to hone my skills enough to the things you want from Eaton High School in 2012, carries and 830 receiving yards on the point where you have everything on December 22, these games means aren’t recruited very heavily by big- football career and is still a big part be fortunate enough to become the an average sized 2A school located 73 receptions after 13 games played. you could imagine. It’s just a spe- something to Ekeler as he’s playing ger schools and it can limit the op- of his life today. One of the things starting long snapper the next year.” in rural Northern Colorado. Any- In addition to these stats, Ekeler has cial moment because you don’t take against a former high school team- portunity a little bit.” he's taken with him from those days Sieg said his favorite memory from body who knew him will tell you a total of 11 touchdowns this season, things for granted.” mate, Trent Sieg. Sieg graduated from Eaton High is his high school sweetheart, Carly his college career “was beating Utah Austin was an all-around great per- with three being rushing and eight Austin also added that his biggest “He’s one of those guys I grew up School in the same year as his friend Jurgensmeier. State my redshirt freshman year. We son throughout high school. receiving. challenge was to overcome himself. with; we’re basically best friends and and teammate, Austin Ekeler, the Sieg said they began dating at the won on a last-second field goal, and “He was a very phenomenal ath- As a kid, Austin’s mom Suzanne “Throughout this entire journey it’s now to see him on another NFL other Eaton graduate who is having end of their high school careers and it boosted us up to being ranked one lete and a very kind person,” said Ekeler said he was very mellow and always been focusing on myself and team and we’re playing each other a successful career in the NFL. all of college. Last year the two mar- of the top 25 teams in the country.” former English teacher and basket- quiet. “He loved competition. He trying to be the best that I can be is pretty special to me," Ekeler said. Long snapping is the most under- ried, and Carly remains his most de- Sieg led an outstanding college ball coach Amy Ross, “You wouldn’t competed whether it was sports, in the situation and let the results Everytime I see him at meetings I’m rated position in football. When a voted fan. career which led to a career in the know that he was such a good ath- board games, video games, shooting play out from that. Many times it’s like, ‘hey that’s my boy.’” team has to punt the football, a long Sieg said, “I started dating her se- NFL. During his time in Eaton, he lete because he was so humble.” a Nerf ball through a hoop. He loves been pushing myself and trying to Ekeler persevered and overcame snapper must snap the football 13- nior year in high school, but we were played on the offensive and defen- Throughout high school, Austin competition!” she said. up the bar, seeing how far I can take many challenges coming from a 15 yards straight back, flawlessly, friends long before that.” sive side. His career on offensive was got involved in many things. He Throughout Austin’s life, football the bar.” small 2A school in Colorado to and this is Sieg's job. He wasn’t only a long snapper in outstanding, he had a total of 513 was a three-sport athlete, playing was his ultimate passion Suzanne As a kid Austin said he tried to play making it to the NFL. He learned A bad snap can result in turnovers high school, Sieg was an All-Colo- receiving yards, and averaged 17 football, basketball, and participat- said. She also added that he was al- as many sports as he could and stay to appreciate the little things in life and points lost. On a punt, the long rado linebacker in 2012. He also yards per reception. In his 30 catch- ing in track and field. ways a good role model and older active and involved all year around. and take nothing for granted; to snapper has to deliver the ball a sig- played tight end on the offensive es, he ended with six touchdowns. In fact, in 2011, Ekeler took state brother for his younger brother “Playing different sports kind of work with what you've got and stay nificant distance to the punter--a side. Sieg said he enjoyed his time at Trent Sieg's senior quote said that in the boys 4x100 relay along with Wyette. “The boys have always got- helps you build some coordination motivated. very difficult task considering there Eaton, he uses many of the skills he at some point in your life you either Tony Ball, Chad Foos, and Gunnar ten along well, even being six years and build chemistry between team- When Ekeler was a senior in high are six or seven special teams players learned along the way to this day. have the things you want or the rea- Haynes, and he set school records apart. They hung out together all the mates,” he said. school, his senior yearbook quote running full throttle to try to block Sieg said, “I think coming from sons you don't. For this phenomenal for long jump at 22’ 8.00”. time. Austin’s work ethic has shown Looking back on his high school was "Diamonds form under pres- the punt. Then Sieg must immedi- Eaton actually played a big role in athlete from the small town of Ea- It’s this speed and athleticism Wyette what it takes to be success- days, Austin said he started focusing sure." It would seem that this proph- ately join the punting team to sprint where I am. Eaton is where I learned ton, it looks like that through hard that allows him to excel in his foot- ful at the next level.” Suzanne ex- on football his junior and senior year. esy has come to pass for this small- down the field to tackle the returner. to work hard and expect big things work and dedication, he has gotten ball career. In high school football, plained what it’s like having a son “Junior year came and I was starting town kid turned pro football star. Sieg said, “I have been long snap- of myself. I also learned that I need- the things he wanted.