Football Anticipates Exciting Season
Together. For Exeter football, that word captures the spirit they hope to bring into the coming season. The football team arrived on campus on Sept. 1, almost a full week earlier than most students, full of spirit and looking forward to a competitive season.
In the five days the team had the campus to themselves, they worked on building a strong foundation for the season. The team endured a grueling schedule with two practices a day, a morning lift and nightly chalk talks.
In previous years, football was separated into JV and varsity for practices and games. However, this year the program is looking to decrease the gap between the two teams by combining practices. Upper Andrew Atsalis reflected on the benefits of an integrated team. “We are inviting in many new, younger guys that will benefit from the combination of JV and varsity practices. Being able to practice and maximize the reps day in and day out alongside those that push you to higher levels is important for younger players in preparation of being called upon come game time.”
Atsalis also commented on the role of preseason in creating bonds, especially with the football team’s packed preseason schedule. “Whether it be two-a-days during which a sense of camaraderie arises or simply spending all of our time together, it’s vital to the success of the team once the season starts,” Atsalis said.
Amongst the team, there’s a consensus that one of the biggest challenges the group will face is integrating new players into crucial roles. After graduating 19 upperclassmen, several new additions have joined the roster. Still, senior Austin Scronce is confident that “[the team has] all the puzzle pieces to be great and [they] just [have] to put them together.”
“As a team we have discussed our goals and one major theme that was present was that of unity as a team, no matter the circumstance. A more tangible goal however, first and foremost is to simply win football games.”
Some players on the team such as co-captain and senior Jack Farrell already felt the team connecting well after just the first few days of practice. Farrell attributed part of this success to the coaching staff, commending Coach Robert Morris for his dedication to the program. “The team has become very close this preseason thanks to the culture of the team and the work of Coach Morris,” he said.
Last season, the Big Red football team carved a story of resilience. Despite an initial four-game slump, the team managed to turn the season around, winning three of the last four games. They finished with a 3-5 record.
Atsalis described the team’s main goal coming into the next season: simply winning more games. “As a team we have discussed our goals and one major theme that was present was that of unity as a team, no matter the circumstance. A more tangible goal however, first and foremost is to simply win football games,” he said.