Benilde-St. Margaret’s high school varsity football team embarks on a new season and are ready to take on any challenges that the season brings. Players strive to strengthen their ‘brotherhood’ and win more games this season.
Although winning is important to the team, Varsity football captain Andrew Walters emphasizes that at the end of the day, they are all brothers and it is important to remember what they play for. He acknowledges that there have been challenges between offensive and defensive players, but he hopes the team’s trust can expand in order to unite the team further. Although this could affect the team’s ability to pull through a win, Walters believes it is only a minor roadblock. “We’re all brothers, and we’re not going to start turning our backs on each other and blaming other people,” Walters said.
A way that the team is reminded what they play for is by praying with Mike Jeremiah before games. Although this doesn’t pump the guys up, it is still seen by team members as a motivational experience. This meaningful pre-game ritual for the team helps emphasize the team’s values of trust and confidence. “That’s just really meaningful for us, so we let ourselves remember what we play for,” Walters said.
We’re all brothers, and we’re not going to start turning our backs on each other and blaming other people
— Andrew Walters
Campus minister Mike Jeremiah values this meaningful time of prayer with the team and holds a great appreciation for each individual,“One of the high points of my week is when I have the opportunity to pray with students, and that definitely is true of all the guys on the football team,” Jeremiah said.
After losing every regular season game last season, yet persisting to the section finals in the playoffs, the football team finds momentum from previous seasons to improve and win in the upcoming games, in order to impress spectators. “We’re going to stick together no matter what, even if someone has a bad game,” Walters said.
Walters and the team expect to live up to fan’s expectations, and hope to make the home crowd proud. Walters remarks that it is important to get back to a winning team. Fans expectations are high and so are fans. “Turning this team around, we’ve had a couple of tough years,” Walters said.
The football team has many roadblocks to conquer. Through everything each member of the team will encourage and challenge their brother so that they can be their best selves. Although the team has all of these goals, fans question if they will live up to their word. “[The team] is ready to prove ourselves,” Walters said.