The varsity football team had a devastating 41-38 defeat in the playoffs against Churchill on Nov. 10, after being the first team to make playoffs in 6A.

“We kind of made history as a team being the first to make playoffs in a new district,” senior Sean Freeman said. “It was a great moment to celebrate with the team, coaches and trainers.”

At the start of the season, the players had a tough road ahead of them losing more than 41 seniors and moving up to 6A. However, they wouldn’t let that define them. Instead they decided to be “fearless.”

“A lot of people and news people were asking us if we were ready or timid or afraid,’’  Freeman said. “We  just wanted to be fearless going into 6A and playing all of these really good teams.”

The team and coaches talked about their goals moving forward into their tough season ahead of them. They set goals for not only their season but afterwards as well.

“It’s the whole goal of our season to make playoffs, and at the beginning of the season we had to figure out what we needed to do to achieve the different goals as they come along,” Freeman said.

While the playoffs and the fall season might be over, the team will still continue to work hard and prepare for next year.

“No stone is unturned,” Head Coach Rodney Vincent said. “The number one goal of our  program each year beyond the football part and try to build great men. Right now we will set goals for things we want to do with our faith and families or community service this next year. We’re in the process of setting some new academic goals for our programs. But we will [also] set goals to get us stronger for next season especially in strength and conditioning.”     

The bonds that the team creates is what can make it so enjoyable. There is a lot of people on this year’s team, and there’s an explanation to the family that was created.

“It’s really amazing having so many people who are there for you even though you may not realize it,” Freeman said. “You can count on every person on the team to be behind you. It’s a big family, and I feel like every person should have the opportunity to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. It’s like a pyramid, you start in the offseason and build chemistry or bonds, and that’s the foundation of your season.”

The team really had to come together with all of their injuries and issues and rely on those bonds to work as a team and push through the season.

“I’m really proud at this group of players because of the adversity they went through and how they continued to fight through it,” Vincent said. “This year early on we had to battle through some injuries and a tough schedule. And for this group of guys being there first year in 6A and secure a playoff spot late in the season was a big deal and says a lot about them.”