Friday Night Lights: At North Star, it's like father, like son

North Star football has had many ups and downs in recent years, but the Knights have always been an exciting team to watch.

Last season wasn't the best for the program, as they did not have enough players to compete in a couple of games during the season. It was a heartbreaking moment for many of the Knights' players and fans.

But this year, North Star is back and ready to go into each Six-Man game with a competitive spirit and heart. The Knights have a lot to look forward to, especially with a dynamic player whose love for the game matches his play on the field.

Senior Caden Rettig has played football since sixth grade and on. Rettig is also a basketball starter and a track athlete for North Star. His commitment every year is astounding and definitely does not go unnoticed in his community. The game is special to Rettig and gives him a great feeling every time he's on the field.

"I love the team," Rettig said. "It's a lot more team orientated than basketball, and it's a lot more of a brotherhood to me."

Rettig puts a lot of effort into his game and is not one to shy away from great sportsmanship. Even with all the obstacles Rettig and North Star football have faced, Rettig hasn't lost his passion and pride when it comes to the sport.

On top of that, Rettig has something else very special when it comes to his team. He and his head coach share an incredible, hard-working ethic that has created a bond between the two of them. It also makes a difference when your head coach is your dad.

Head coach Shawn Rettig has done a lot of coaching throughout the years. When it comes to North Star, he's been head coach for two years. Shawn Rettig has been through some of the recent up and downs the Knights have had but knew that this year his team would have a lot to be grateful about.

Coach Rettig is especially proud to have his son as a player and role model for the Knights.

"He's a leader," Rettig said. "He's been one of our leaders for three and four years. He's got great classmates that help him be a leader and stuff. Great athlete and hates to lose like his dad and that's a good thing. Just a great all-around kid."

Both Rettigs have each other's backs and have shared their enjoyment for the game for a long time. Caden has given his dad something to be proud of and Shawn Rettig has given his son a great person to look up to and push him to do great things.

"It's kind of tough," Caden Rettig said. "He's pretty hard on me, but I really like that. I love having him as a coach. He pushes me quite a bit and he believes in me. That means a lot."

Caden Rettig has a lot of great moments with his father outside of football, too.

"As soon as we get done with football we go out to the air seeder," the younger Rettig said. "That's what we usually do constantly is farm and ranch outside of this (football). It's pretty fun."

It is never a dull moment between the father-son duo and Caden Rettig praises his father's guidance not only on the field, but at home, as well.

"He's a really good role model," Caden Rettig said. "Everything I do kind of is what he would do. He's been a big role model for me ever since I was a little kid and he's taught me a lot of things I'll use the rest of my life. He's been really good to me."

The young Rettig has a great coach and an amazing father that's helped make him who people see today. Shawn Rettig has always been there for his son and is proud of him as a player under a coach, who's also your father.

"He's a real, true teammate," Shawn Rettig said. "He doesn't care who gets the success, who gets the touchdown or who scores. He celebrates for other teams, which drives me nuts at times."

Shawn Rettig also compliments his son's intense sportsmanship. Whether it's a friend or some random athlete, Caden Rettig always gives them a cheer on.

"There's a picture in track where he's watching his competition clear height in the pole vault and you can see the kid clearing it," Shawn said. "My son's in the background celebrating for this kid. That's just the way he is. He likes to see everybody succeed."

There's often not many players with Caden Rettig's sportsmanship. The young man puts forth the kind and thoughtful attitude he has and uses it to make others succeed. In many cases, especially Caden Rettig's, helping others will reflect back in the end. The senior is truly a standout on and off the field. The Knights have a great athlete and a greater person in their school. It's no wonder Caden Rettig's teammates and coaches have great respect for him.

In the end, the Rettig father-son tandem has a lot of admiration for one another and their love for the game of football has shaped a bond that has brought the best out of them. Shawn Rettig is a proud papa indeed.

"I am very proud of the way Caden has handled being a coach's kid," he said. "Not an easy thing to do. Very proud of my son."

North Star and the Rettig duo will have a blast at their upcoming home game. The Knights will play Valier Saturday at 1 p.m.