Dylan Kier’s actions speak so loud, a relentless athlete who attacks offseason workouts and gives everything for his football program
The next few months will be special for Dylan Kier, a senior preparing for his last season of high school football.
“This program means the world to me. As of right now, this is my whole life,” Kier said. “The Columbia River football team is my whole life. I’d kill for anyone on this team. They are my brothers.”
The next few months, though, do not tell the whole story. Because, really, it’s been the past three years that have led to this moment for Kier.
Dylan Kier is automatic.
No coach has to wonder if Dylan is going to be at this offseason workout or that offseason conditioning drill. Earlier in his career, there might have been a family vacation that gave him an excused absence for a day or two. Oh, and he was sick one day. He remembers missing one day because he was sick. That’s it, though.
Other than that, if Columbia River football had a workout, a meeting, a get-together, whatever you want to call it, Dylan Kier was there.
“He’s not a huge talker but his actions speak way louder than any words,” Columbia River coach Brett Smedley said. “He’s that kind of a leader.”
“We have a small senior class,” Kier noted. “We’re tight.”
Now in their final year together, Kier said he and his fellow seniors must set the tone for the younger players, to see this thing through for this season and beyond.
“I hang out and see these guys every single day. They’re my brothers,” Kier said. “We all have the same vision. I just have to keep working and maintain and build that vision.”
What is the Columbia River vision?
“Win league,” Kier said. “Play to the best of our abilities and just have fun out there, making memories.”
That is key, as well. Naturally, the Rapids want to win a league title. But Kier understands it is not just about winning games.
The Rapids break team huddles by chanting “MMF!” That means Memory Making Fridays.
“Football saved my life. It’s going to be hard not playing any more if I can’t play past this. I’m going to try to play in college, but I just want to embrace this, make the best I can,” Kier said.
Elaborating, Kier said young people can be drawn to all sorts of things in society. He is grateful he has football.
“Sports is what I like to fill my time with,” Kier said. “It was hard not to have it in my life, which is why COVID was so tough on me. This is really a really important year for me, and we’re doing the best we can to make it a good one.”
Kier and his teammates also are looking to make an impact as the first football team at Columbia River with the new name. In April, just after the abbreviated football season, the school officially voted for Rapids to replace Chieftains.
The community can debate it all it wants, but Kier said the players on this team have accepted the change, embraced it even, and are looking forward to starting new traditions.
“It’s going to be something different,” Kier said. “It’s bringing a new type of energy.”
All the while, Dylan Kier brought an old, traditional type of energy to his school, his program, and to his teammates. He showed up, every day, ready to put the work in, all for this one final high school football season.
