Keeping The Football Flying (After it’s dropped)
A Story of the struggles of our football team these past two seasons.
October 18, 2021
It’s the first football game of the fall, it’s your senior year, and you and your teammates have been working your butts off in the preseason. Coming off a straight loss season, you are ready to hit the grass running strong. It does not go as planned.
The buzzer sounds, ending the last quarter of the game. You look up at the scoreboard, eyes stinging with sweat, and see Central Valley 63 – Knoch 0. You go home and lay in bed, thinking about the countless hours of practice for nothing.
Come Monday, you know what’s coming as soon as you walk through the school doors; all of Friday’s mistakes are thrown right back in your face.
“It stings, ya know, if we aren’t playing [well] our team gets down, and we don’t play [well],” said senior running back/free-safety Keagan Fraser.
Throughout the past two seasons, our Knights have suffered some pretty bad losses on and off the field. People talk, it’s no lie, but what’s it like being on that field under those lights? Sometimes, harsh words can stick more into our athlete’s heads than we think.
Getting through the hardships of losing as a team can be hard to tackle.
“We have to stay focused and make goals we want to achieve,” said Fraser.
Football is without a doubt one of the most anticipated sports seasons to look out for, but what happens when push comes to shove, when the sacks aren’t being sacked?
“This season has shown us that there will always be a downside,” said junior tight end Jake Murphy.
Finding and keeping motivation throughout the pain of losses can be aggravating. Looking back on good memories can help.
“When I was little, in 2015, we went undefeated and won the super bowl for the Spartans team,” said Fraser. “We all went trick or treating after.”
Alongside Fraser, freshman quarterback Codi Mullen finds passion within himself.
“I have a love for it. I’ve been playing for nine years, it’s in my family,” said Mullen.
Some of the boys use the criticism to their advantage, like throwing that gasoline right onto their fire.
“I’ve put in so much time and effort that no matter what people choose to say, it doesn’t change my view on myself or my team,” said Murphy. “There’s always going to be losses and downs, but the more work you put in the better you’ll be.”
The team aspect has a great impact on the football players.
“If I could thank my upperclassmen for anything, it would be all the love they give me when I’m out on the field,” said Mullen. “We all just have a friendship out there.”
“Knowing we will get better and having supportive teammates makes the world’s difference,” said Murphy.
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Mr King • Dec 21, 2021 at 08:57
Ava,
While your articles goes back a little ways, I have some thoughts to share with the 2021 Knights. I am aware that few may see my words, but I feel compelled to say something. I was hired as head football coach at Knoch in 1998. To say we struggled in those first years is an understatement… The proof is in the pudding… (1998 1-9, 1999 3-6, 2000 1-9). Then, things changed. It did not change because of any magical thing done or said by a coach. The program changed through a lot of hard work by coaches and players. Most importantly, we had players who were just willing to hang in there when everyone else doubted them. When you put yourself out there… when you play a sport, when you participate in a musical, you open yourself for commentary and criticism and that is a very hard pill to swallow. When you lose your first game with everyone is watching, it hurts. And, you are so right, then comes Monday morning when you have to relive it all again… “You guys got killed.” It is not easy putting so much into something only to lose… but it is not a worthless endeavor. There are a group of old Knights (from my first few seasons as head coach) who play in a Turkey Bowl and have so much fun. They are life long friends and they share the bond they created when they wore the blue & gold. Dedication, teamwork, commitment, perseverance are things that last a lifetime; the pain of an embarrassing loss will not. Let’s not forget Knights… Central Valley is a state champion football team. Remember Knights, who you are is not reflected by light bulbs lit up on a scoreboard… You win if you never quit. You win if you never blame. You win if you are not affected by the people who seek to criticize you. You win if you treat others with dignity and respect even if they make fun of you. We can all be that kind of Knoch Knight.