Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Gutierrez knows a thing or two about winning. During his prep days at De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, Gutierrez never lost a game over his four high school seasons from 1999-2002. He tallied an astonishing 50 victories as a starter in his final three years. Equally astonishing is the fact that those 50 wins were only a fraction of the record 151 consecutive game winning streak the school compiled from 1992-2003. In fact “When the Game Stands Tall” is a book chronicling De La Salle Coach Bob Ladouceur and his program’s success.

One coach has instilled that winning philosophy in his program, that coach is Pat Richard from Orrick High School. Coach Richard has used the lessons from “When the Game Stands Tall” to turn around a slumping program and turn them into the two-time defending Class 1A Missouri State Champions. When Coach Richard learned that the Kansas City Chiefs had acquired Matt Gutierrez he could think of no better way to motivate his players than to bring him in to speak.

Gutierrez made a visit to Orrick High School to talk to the Bearcat football players. He spoke about his experiences at De La Salle and how they prepared him for life after high school, both on and off the field. He was honored to impart such wisdom on a special group of players.

“It’s great to acknowledge their accomplishments and the streak they have going. I was able to share my high school experience and relate to them a little bit because of the similar things they are going through.” Gutierrez said. “I tried to be a part of what they are doing and hopefully that can help them out.”

Orrick High School was in the doldrums before Coach Pat Richard took over the program nine years ago. Prior to Richard’s arrival, the team had lost 25 consecutive games. At this point in the season, the Bearcats currently own the longest active winning streak in Missouri at 36 games. Part of Coach Richard’s success is implementing the practices chronicled in “When the Game Stands Tall.” It couldn’t be more fitting for Gutierrez, one of the great quarterbacks from De La Salle’s amazing streak, was able to impart his wisdom on a group that models their game after his own.

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