The 2025-2026 Football year is starting up, after last year’s State Championship we went 13-0. Our motto this year is “Prove em right”, we’re focused on going 1-0 each week to Prove them right. I asked a series of questions to our coaches and some players, and least to say we are all ready for this season.

 Starting off with the head coach Mitch Gebhardt, one of the most well-known and talked about. I asked him what his coaching philosophy is. “Play to win, it doesn’t always happen but playing to win makes you always do your best. Work everyday to get better and be self disciplined”. Reading his way of coaching definitely makes you understand why he does what he does. 

I asked Coach Chance Ptacek what are your expectations for the players on and off the field. “On the field we expect our players to play with discipline, with relentless pursuit and to trust in their teammates”. “Off the field we expect our players to be a good representation of our team, our school, and themselves”. I agree with his statement about discipline because if you don’t have any discipline for yourself you will risk failing at your goals and mediocrity. 

I then asked Coach Trenton Douglas, What’s a strategy you would use to motivate your players? “We make sure they know how important everything is and how we need to stay committed to what we’re doing. Also how we represent our school but showing how much success we’ve had drives players to be better”. I know that everyone can agree with always wanting to put your 100% into everything you do, small or big because it will make a change in your life.

After hearing our coaches talk about this upcoming football season, I think it’s time to listen to what our fellow students have to say about this upcoming season. Now I interviewed four individuals that have a different point of view than each other. 

Starting with Grady Gebhardt, one of our Senior football players. I asked him, How do you feel about this upcoming season after getting a state championship? “This upcoming season is exciting and I am looking forward to it! The state championship was great but this year is a new year, we are focused on getting better each and every week and not letting our past define us”. When you hear someone say “Not letting our past define us” you think it’s going to be hard, but if you put your mind to the present you’ll make it far.

Next I asked Tiernan Ptacek, a Junior What his greatest achievement so far in football was. “I would say my greatest accomplishment is winning the state championship last year”. I then asked him, Describe a time when you overcame adversity during a game? “A time I overcame adversity is when I got hit in the head really hard and had to really focus and finish the game”. His determination shows just how dedicated he is to football and his team, proving that challenges only push him to work harder.

Then going over to Elijah Kerj I asked What inspired him to play football. “My parents, my brother, pushing me to do it, and just wanting to do something fun.” I then proceeded to ask What’s one thing you want to get better at for Football?  “I want to get stronger and faster.” Getting faster for Football is key, when you have to run down the field time after time it gets tiring. Although once you build up that strength and momentum you can achieve your goals. 

Ending off with Beckett Murray, a Freshman What makes a good teammate? You have to be caring to others, put others before yourself,reliability, intelligence, and showing up everyday. Beckett believes that when everyone buys into those values, the team becomes more like a family. He explained that good teammates push each other to be better and hold one another accountable both on and off the field. 

Overall Football isn’t just a game, it’s fun, exciting, and brings everyone together. Football can make everyone on the team more than just a team, it can make everyone family.