The Summit High School boys football team is building toward something big. 

As Paul Lopez enters his third year as head coach of the program, the small, but passionate group of players are putting in the work necessary to not only surpass last season’s record, but also be a formidable foe in the 3A West Metro League.

In 2024, the Tigers garnered a record of 3-7 — which was one win less than the team recorded in Lopez’s inaugural season at Summit High School. Although participation numbers were low at the beginning of the summer, Summit is confident it can surpass four wins this fall.

Senior Henry Eslich and sophomore Connor Erwin will be the captains for the team throughout the fall. Both players will not only guide the team from a leadership standpoint, but they are also expected to be mainstays for the Tigers in terms of on-field performance.

Eslich was a defensive powerhouse for Summit last season. Playing in nine total games, the 6-foot, 205-pound middle linebacker recorded a total of 44 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles and two sacks. 

Erwin had about as good of a freshman year as one can hope for. Manning the running back position, Erwin flashed his speed throughout the season, rushing for 166 yards off of 28 carries and scoring one rushing touchdown.

In terms of receiving, Erwin had nine receptions, totaling 41 yards. Erwin mainly played full safety for the Tigers on defense in 2024. The phenom athlete combined for 24 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and one 23-yard interception. 

Eslich and Erwin will be aided by several other talented returners on the gridiron this season, including junior Mac Lukasiewicz, junior Wyatt Lyman and senior Elias Wyatt.

Currently listed as Summit’s starting quarterback, Wyatt will add a level of depth to the offense that will allow the team to elevate themselves above its opponent. Although it is Wyatt’s first season as part of the varsity football program at Summit, the 5-foot, 11-inch senior is a well-rounded athlete who will fill his role as the field general. 

With Summit being a small program, Eslich and Erwin, like many players on the roster, will have to play both offense and defense for the Tigers this season. While playing on both sides of the ball puts Summit at a disadvantage when facing bigger programs, both players believe that the opportunity allows the Tigers to have a chip on their shoulder coming into games. 

“We don’t have as big of players as they do,” Eslich said. “They come from bigger schools with more people, more people play football there. We come from … ski country where a lot of people run, ski and hike. … I think the best we can do is be smart, use our speed as an advantage and try to get the best of those teams.”    

“In practice everyone is dog tired,” Erwin said. “Everyone is working hard out there. I feel like that is one of the things that we have. Everyone is a hard worker because you have to be able to play both ways.”

Erwin does not foresee the team entering the season with any major weaknesses. While some aspects of Summit’s game may have to be tweaked, Erwin has been encouraged by what he has seen in practice over the last several weeks. 

“I think everything really,” Erwin said. “Throwing the ball, running the ball. I think they will both be strong this year.”           

The biggest challenge for Summit may be the opponents it has to face in a very competitive and challenging 3A West Metro league. The six-team league includes Green Mountain, Conifer, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge and Skyview. Last season, Summit finished fifth overall in the league with a record of 1-4.

The Tigers will look to finish higher in the league rankings this fall by identifying the opponent’s weaknesses and minimizing mistakes.

Summit will begin the season by hosting a home game against Glenwood Springs on Saturday, Aug. 30. Last fall, Summit traveled to Glenwood Springs for its season opener and recorded a 35-13 loss.

“I am excited that we had more people show up because at the beginning of the season it was a little light,” Eslich said. “I am excited for our first game. It is a bummer that it is not on a Friday night, but I think it is going to be a good one.”

Although Summit will have to wait a few weeks before its first game under the lights at Climax Molybdenum Field, Eslich and Erwin know that the community will come out in droves to support the team regardless of when the team is scheduled to play.

“It is just a ton of fun,” Erwin said. “You talk to people and a lot of people are looking forward to the games. There are a lot of people who are asking how the season’s going to go. It is a ton of fun.”

The Summit versus Glenwood Springs game will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday.