Erika Gray

Football is an important part of school culture and student life, even with a football team that has only won a single game, the energy of football games is unmatched. So, how have we managed to keep this culture alive with such a big losing streak? Sophomore Mark Langston is a wide receiver on the junior varsity team and has experienced the disappointment of these losses all season. Langston speaks on the effect this has had on team morale.
“Motivation drops each time we lose a game,” said Langston.
Langston, joining the team his freshman year, originally participated in order to get out of a boring class, but after being on the team he quickly learned to love the game, even after so many set-backs.
“The team practices six days a week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m,” said Langston.
When it comes to practicing for his sports Langston works out and practices on his own time. Langston is involved in basketball to keep him active during the football off-season. He also enjoys a number of hobbies like carpentry, video games, and music.
“I’ve been playing basketball longer so I like that sport more. And I stay active in the off-season because there are always things to improve on. Running your plays. Catching,” said Langston.
In Langston’s eyes the key to being a good player is to always find something to be better at. Despite so many defeats, Langston still has a love for football.
“Anytime we make a good play, we celebrate with each other. It feels one step closer to winning a game. The coaches try their best to motivate us,” said Langston.
It’s moments like these that change the trajectory of the team, and affect how they stay motivated through the season. That feeling of euphoria after winning a game is what keeps players, and students in the stands coming back for more.
Although our football team has seen more defeats than victories, the team’s extreme dedication and passion for the sport keeps the legacy of football alive through our memories.
With more players like Mark Langston throughout the different school activities, our sports teams have a bright future, and many good seasons to come. Go Panthers!