Throw classifications out the door and there is a definitive dominant football program in Colorado. The Limon Badgers have a storied history and it goes well beyond the state record 22 state champions.
Some of the greatest coaches in state history have prowled the sidelines for the Badgers, and Mike O’Dwyer just cemented his place as perhaps the best of them.
With a 54-8 win over Bennett on Friday night, O’Dwyer won his 223rd game with the Badgers which moves him ahead of Lloyd Gaskill for the most by a coach in Limon history. Since becoming the head coach at Limon, O’Dwyer has put together a win/loss record of 223-36.
“It’s really humbling,” O’Dwyer said. “I always say this is a game that kids let us adults play. I’m fortunate to do it here.”
O’Dwyer took over as the head coach of the Badgers in 2002.
On top of 223 wins, he has eight state championships to his name which is third in state history behind current Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan and Gaskill, the man who’s win total at Limon he just surpassed.
West Grand coach Chris Brown is the winningest coach in state history and he began his coaching career with the Badgers before moving to the Kremmling area in 1980.
O’Dwyer’s whole career has been at Limon and a big reason for that is he’s from the small town and takes pride in coaching at home. He says it helps that he understands what the football culture in Limon is all about and that inside knowledge plays a crucial role in his ability to keep the Badgers competing at a championship level.
“We have great tradition, a great community and a great school,” O’Dwyer said. “It all goes hand-in-hand and it’s really hard to explain if you’re not from here.”
The Badgers are at home for their next three games before they head to Wray for a game with the No. 1 team in Class 1A.
