Many autumn nights in Onsted football fans flock to Redfield Stadium to watch a hearty game of pigskin. This year OHS made it to the playoffs, and was looking strong with an 8-1 rank. But what makes a team great? What are their challenges, their strengths? How do they feel they match up against the competition?

“Our goal is for the players to become strong individuals and learn to be part of a team,” says Mr. Terryberry, the OHS varsity football coach. An admirable goal, to say the least. The results leading up to the playoffs showed Mr. Terryberry’s leadership skills at work and were reflected in the success of his players. When interviewed, he shared his thoughts on the team and their journey to the playoffs.

“We really put in a lot of time [to excel]... it doesn’t just start in August,” Mr. Terryberry says about the commitment the players must dedicate themselves to. “It’s basically year round. The more they work, the better we are each year.”

It’s not all hard work in the football realm according to Matt Keith, a senior on the varsity team. “Lots of funny things happen [during practice]. There are a lot of inside jokes and it helps us stay in a positive mood,” Matt reveals. Matt also details the favorable matchup of the Almont game, going on to say that “...even after the game, the players we went against showed great sportsmanship.” Mr. Terryberry also commented that the Almont game had been the best game (as of this interview) and the team battled together to win.

An interesting quote from Mr. Terryberry tells of the unsung heroes on the football team: linemen. “You never read about the offensive and defensive line, but they make everything happen.”

“We hope the time we spend together means something and creates good memories and each player has a successful future,” Mr. Terryberry shares in his final comments. With a mission like that, it’s safe to say the football players are learning more than just how to play the game. They’re gaining knowledge to help them later in life.

The OHS football season ended with the playoff game against Stockbridge. The wild ride for the Wildcats ended, but not without the lingering sense of success. Those who realize the journey the players traveled to reach the playoffs again know the real victory. Great season, Wildcats!