After a solid 2021 season, the varsity football team is taking new steps toward becoming an even stronger team and program.
Last year, the football team saw a huge season of success as they moved up a division and also made it to the second round of playoffs. This season, the team means to live up to the new legacy and even surpass it. Under the new football coach, Patrick Bugg, discipline and hard work will be vital. Coach Mitchell’s legacy last year is something that will certainly be carried on by Coach Bugg this year. Bugg has already proven his coaching knowledge and leadership, and his coaching principles combined with the determined spirit of the athletes this year look to be a recipe for success.
The team’s determination revolves around the fact that this year most of them are seniors: this is their last year to play, and they have resolved to make it their best season yet. The admirable willpower of the upperclassmen athletes played a large role in the sheer size of the two teams.
The juniors and seniors on varsity have proven to be large role models to the underclassmen, both on and off the field. This has made a lot of younger athletes feel inspired to play.
The environment of the football program has become increasingly positive and serious about the game, but time will tell how this will play out. Or, as Coach Briggs puts it (referring specifically to Homecoming), “We have one of the most talented teams we’ve ever had. I think the difference is gonna come down to if we think winning is important or if the lip sync is more important.”
For the athletes in football, prioritization is a huge component that will significantly affect the success of the season. The recent victory against Patrick Henry High for the homecoming game shows how the athletes are quickly learning how to balance the chaos of school and sports – looks like the lip sync competition took a back seat after all!
All in all, this season is shaping up to be a good one. Make sure to come support our team at their home games!
By Forrest Brunetto and Madelynn Bryan
