The varsity football team has faced an uphill battle with injuries this season. Regardless, they will be going into the Homecoming game against Adams-Friendship with a 6-1 record.
“Overall, we are doing great. With the mass majority of us being seniors, we have been playing together for a while. So the chemistry is amazing with the team, and everyone is working hard with the same goals,” full back Jakob Martin said.
This season has brought an all-time high of seven injuries, two of which ended the season early for some key players.
“We had a lot of injuries this year, more than I can ever remember during a season,” Head Coach Joe Stellmacher said.
One of the players whose season ended was junior Ben Green. At the time,he led the team with 18 total tackles.
“I had the best defensive stats on the team, so I was looking forward to being a conference player,” Green said.
With many of the team’s starters getting hurt, it has been work to find people to fill in the missing positions.
“Having to overcome those injuries and find new guys for the different positions has been a challenge, but I appreciate the way the guys have gone about it,” Stellmacher said.
Despite the adversities they have faced this season, the team has made improvements not only together but as individuals.
“I was pretty good last year. I was at 400 receiving yards. This year, I am already at 400 receiving yards through six games,” tight end Hayden Redington said.
After defeating Adams-Friendship last year, the team is eager for the rematch.
“We played Adams-Friendship the last game of the regular season, and we won pretty handily down there. That game sealed the conference championship for us last year,” Stellmacher said.
Homecoming is a fun time, but it can cause distractions of its own. Causing them to need to focus even more on the game ahead.
“They’re going to need to be ready to go, especially with all the hoopla of Homecoming, which can lead to a few distractions,” Stellmacher said.
Homecoming is filled not only with excitement, but also the knowledge that it is their last time on the Homecoming field.
“It’s bittersweet,” right guard Carsen Whitney said.
For many seniors, it is also going to be a game to simply enjoy to the fullest.
“I just kind of want to step back and take in everything I can, rather than just playing. Just enjoy it with my buddies that I’ve been playing with my whole life, and enjoy my last Homecoming on the field,” Martin said.
The team faces Adams-Friendship Green Devils tomorrow night at the Homecoming game. Kick off is at 7 p.m.
