AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The time has arrived.
That’s senior Air Force receiver Kyle Halderman’s way of thinking when it comes to the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. And he thinks the rest of the seniors playing at Army on Saturday are on board.
For the last three years, Halderman has watched the team’s seniors go away empty-handed. He doesn’t want to experience the same feeling.
“It has been devastating for me the last few years just watching our seniors go away with nothing, in terms of the trophy,” Halderman said. “I think I speak for all of the senior class that it would be awesome to bring the trophy back home.”
None of the Air Force players on the roster have experienced winning the trophy, which goes to the winner of the Air Force-Navy-Army round-robin schedule. If none of the teams win both games, the trophy stays with the previous year’s winner.
Navy is currently in possession of the trophy. The Falcons haven’t won it since 2002.
“Every year, we didn’t have a chance to win it because Navy always beat us in the first game,” Halderman said. “This is a huge game because Army has the same chance to win it as we do.”
Air Force beat Navy 14-6 in the fifth game of the season.
“No one else in the country can experience what this is because it’s only for the academies,” Halderman said. “All of us will serve in the same military, but this is something we can compete over, and to have an opportunity to go for it this year is nice.”
Coach Troy Calhoun experienced winning the trophy as a player at Air Force, but hasn’t repeated the experience in his four-year term as coach. Calhoun remembers the service academy games as being special even when compared to NFL playoff games.
“They are special games because of who’s involved,” Calhoun said. “The players from all three schools are champions. I’d love for our seniors to be a part of winning it.”
Chase Darden and Tyler Schonsheck are senior starters on Air Force’s offensive line, meaning they aren’t asked to say much during the season. But they’re vocal about the trophy.
“We came in with a lot of goals this year and we still can win some,” said Darden, a tackle. “It absolutely would give some bragging rights if we win it.”
Said Schonsheck, a guard: “As seniors, we’re running out of time. We have this chance and we have to take advantage.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
