The varsity football team has embraced the belief that this team is a community, and Chase Radel, 12, has certainly noticed that over the past two seasons.
“I do feel like our team is a community.” said Radel, “I feel like both on the game field and on the practice field, everyone’s got each others backs”
Radel was recently named a captain of the HHS varsity football team, who are 0-3 to start the season, and are currently on a seven-game losing streak going back to last season. Radel says that despite being named a captain, he feels no added pressure to his gameplay.
“I don’t feel much more pressure being named captain this year, just because I try to keep up with what I’ve been doing in years past, just naturally being a leader. Just try to rile the boys up, keep the energy up and make sure everyone knows what their job is and make sure they’re executing it”
There are always constant adjustments being made with any football team. One of the major adjustments the team went through was bringing in a new offensive coordinator, Steve Lydon. Head Coach Chauncy Williams-Barefield says it’s gone pretty smooth.
“A lot of things we did last year we’re continuing to do this year, so it hasn’t been night and day of a difference. There’s some different terminology, and we expanded on some principles and some concepts. But overall, we’re doing a lot of similar things” said Williams-Barefield.
Defensive Coordinator M’Angelo Harris feels like his guys have done very well adjusting to practicing against a new offense
“Our biggest thing right now is size. It’s not a problem of athleticism or the willingness to be there, it’s just the size.” said Harris “We’re a little small compared to some of our counterparts in different teams so the adaptability has been there because of the athleticism”
Their most recent game was the homecoming game, on Friday Sep. 19. They played Park this year, and snapped a seven game losing streak by winning 45-21
Park was also their opponent at last year’s homecoming game, who they beat in a thrilling 57-50 finish.
Despite how popular the homecoming game is, many people within the team don’t let that get in their way, and they view it as just another game.
“Just business as usual” said Williams-Barefield.
“We don’t harp on the week, we harp on the opportunity…every game we’re trying to add on to our own legacy is a big game for us” said Harris.
The coaches have also noticed how strong of a community there is here, even through all the lows.
“Upon arriving here, that was something I felt right away” said Williams-Barefield. “With what the program had gone through the last few years, it’s rare you find that. When programs are struggling, things just crumble community wise… and that’s been the complete opposite”
“I think that’s one of the things that’s helped us the most” said Harris. “We all have a common goal, not just for us to win games but for us to put them in the right space, places, and positions to win the game as well. We’re all locking arms and we’re all getting our hands dirty together”
