After going 1-10 this past football season, the boys say this summer has helped prepare them to get back out on the field for redemption. Through past seasons, the athletes feel as if they have shown that they are willing to work hard for redemption.
According to some of the members on the team, coaching is very important in their journey of redemption. Senior Lance Daspit believes that the Wildcats new head coach, Brent Eckley, is very involved with the team and tries to build personal relationships with the boys.
“I think Coach Eckley has turned this program around,” Daspit said. “It’s going to be exciting. I think we are going to win more games than we lose. One game at a time.”
Starting quarterback and senior, Braden Sprauge, believes that it is very important to not worry about outside sources, but to be themselves and play hard.
“Our team wants to stay together and keep ourselves collected,” Sprague said. “Playing against tough competition allows us to be better against teams that are not as good as us in the future.”
Eckley has pushed these athletes to be their best selves in order to bring out the best in the team this year.
“Coach has implemented a tough, smart, strong program. He wants tough players, smart players, and he wants strong players,” Sprague said. “He has put us in the weight room and pushed us extra.”
According to Sprague, tough players means working hard and prioritizing the weight room, smart players means having limited mistakes and contributing to a good culture, and strong players means giving forth the effort needed in order to succeed.
Eckley finds it important to put work in the weight room in order to compete well against competition.
“We have to get bigger and stronger. We give the boys goal weights, all year long, to keep them getting bigger and heavier,” Eckley said, “this allows us to compete better versus other teams.”
According to Eckley, he is very pleased with his athletes and how they have maintained their focus.
“I am really proud of the boys. They have done a really good job of competing and trying to improve.” Eckley said, “Their focus has been great!”
Eckleys goal in order to come back for redemption is to go day by day for improvements. One area in which he expects the athletes to grow is through their football-IQ, understanding what is happening all over the field.
“All we can do is try to improve every day and do our best.” Eckley said. “We are trying to focus on the process. Along the way, there are many successes to celebrate.”