The 2024 football team is experiencing great success while having a record of 7-0 prior to the Oct. 25 Pleasant Hope game. New players have come out this year and have played a big role. Freshman outside linebacker Brecken Brewster has filled a big role on the varsity spot as an outside linebacker.
“I think high school football is a lot faster paced than middle school,” Brewster said.
The football team has many leaders with there being 12 seniors. Many of the players have said they are great leaders and help push the team to improve. Their hard work will pay off as they strive to reach their goals.
“Being a senior in football is bittersweet. It’s exciting being my senior year but it is my last year playing with my best friends. This season can be emotional, but being surrounded by all of my football brothers helps me focus on the positives,” senior outside linebacker Drake Murrell said.
The team has felt a strong bond with each other this year. Many players say this year is very special because of the strong connection between each individual.
“I think that this year is different from last year because we are more connected and have a stronger bond,” junior running back and middle linebacker Joshua Harvath said.
The football team won their conference this season, their first since 2009. In their conference they have five different opponents that they face each year during the regular season.
“It feels pretty good to win conference, especially with your boys,” senior defensive end and right guard Kendall Bagley said.
Along with winning conference, coaches expressed how they felt coming off of that.
“Now after winning conference we are working on finishing out the regular season strong and at this point of the year focusing on districts,¨ head coach Ryan Boyer said.
As districts is right around the corner, there are many things being done to prepare.
“As a team, we have been putting in hard work since the summer. Districts are coming up and we are all excited to see how far we can go and hopefully make a long run, especially because this is my last year,” senior left tackle and nose tackle Trent Downing said.
With post season coming up, there are many different emotions being expressed. Especially seniors as this will be their last.
“As this is my last ride it is very bittersweet, I love all my teammates and will miss the memories and Friday night lights,” senior running back and middle linebacker Jayce Depriest said.
Therefore, with this being seniors last, many of them have big goals set to end their last year off strong.
“With this being my last season, my goal for this year is to win districts,” senior wide receiver and cornerback Shane Poyser said.