The varsity football season has begun and the team’s expectations are high, as old and new players are looking forward to the journey for a state title, and the competition that comes with it.
“I’m excited about how the kids have performed,” offensive line coach Todd Moses said. “They’ve executed their game plan and it shows now that we scored a lot of points. We’ve done what we’re supposed to do to help us win the game. Nobody that’s playing on the offensive line right now played any varsity games last year except as backups. They managed to fill those roles well and it’s been great to watch them play.”
Junior defensive end Jason Johnson is returning to varsity this year, and is looking forward to his second year and plans on improving from last year.
“So far we have been playing well; I think we could be better, but we’re still a young team that needs to develop,” Johnson said. “Over the offseason, I got faster and built more strength, so my skills have gotten better. I need to be more of a vocal leader and stop playing around. Most of the new guys are on the o-line, and they’re doing great so far, from what we see in scrimmages and in games.”
There are two returning seniors on varsity this year: senior quarterback Cardae Mack and senior running back Christopher Toney. Both are looking forward to this season and believe with the new young core, they can make a deep run this season.
“I think we just have to keep building the momentum and taking it week-by-week and day-by-day and just keep getting better,” Mack said. “I feel confident in my guys because we work hard all week. I think it’s only right that the work that we put in shows. I’m glad that at the end of the day, when we go out there and run out on the field, everything we work for is showing up.”
Toney believes the whole team has a good connection all around this year, and hopes to fill a leadership role this year.
“I think it’s been great,” Toney said. “We have a good brotherhood. We need to just come together and connect. This year I would say I improved on being able to be coached, listening to directions, being a good teammate and being a
leader when I’m out there.”