Last week, four local coaches shared their insights on the 2022 high school football season thus far. Five more area football coaches have shared their perspectives on how they move their programs forward at this point in the season.
The pace of the season, players' work ethic and perseverance are areas cited by coaches when looking over the past few weeks.
“One of the most surprising things about this season is how quickly it is moving,” East Knox (2-6) coach Andy Beatty said. “It is wild to think that it is already week nine at this point. With so much anticipation and hard work leading into this season, it feels like you blink and the season is in the tail end.”
Utica (2-6) coach Charlie Lowery said, “It's crazy we're already into week nine. Our team continues to work hard, bond together and enjoy the time they get to spend as a team.”
No.4 ranked – Div. 7, Region 25 – Danville (6-2) has overcome multiple season-ending injuries to key players on its way to a top ranking statewide. The resilience of the team is not lost on coach Matt Blum.
“What has surprised me this season thus far is how many injuries we have endured and how many players have stepped up for us in this process,” Blum said. “I am very proud of our program and how we have handled adversity. It speaks to our team's mantra of 'No excuses; find a way.'”
Mount Gilead (5-3), which is having one of its best seasons in decades, is meeting the expectations of coach Mike Reid.
“Our boys really committed in the offseason, and I really thought we would be much improved and playing meaningful games here in these last two weeks of the regular season,” Reid said.
Expectations don’t change regardless of a team’s chances at postseason play. Consistency and execution of fundamentals are woven into the fabric of successful programs. Coaches preach these concepts tirelessly.
“We need to work on consistency,” EK's Beatty said. “Every week, we should be improving. We need to continue to build on that and make strides in the correct direction.”
Danville is pointing toward a deep playoff run and maintaining its intensity.
“We still need to work on a lot of things,” Blum said. “We need to continue working on getting off to a fast start for our games and having continued physicality for four quarters. That is what it is going to take to win games in October and November.”
“We are still working to be more consistent in both our assignments and our execution,” Reid said. “Our expectations are to continue the work we have started at improving this program from bottom to top. It is our goal at this point to reach the playoffs and win a game or two. To do this, we must continue to get better week to week, day to day, rep by rep.”
Utica, which is relying on a number of juniors and sophomores, is emphasizing the basics.
“Football is all about blocking and tackling, and we need to continue to work on the simple fundamentals that lead to success on the field,” Rowley said. “Our expectation for the rest of the year is continuous improvement. We want to make sure we are getting better each day and each week.”
Mount Vernon (1-7) looks to develop future depth with this season’s young squad.
“Despite our record, I continue to be proud of how our players approach each week of preparation and continue to work hard,” coach Jay Campbell said. “We start six freshmen and sophomores on both sides of the ball, so they are gaining valuable experience for the years ahead. Likewise, our senior leadership continues to be strong and they are building a foundation and standard for the way things will be done in the future.”
How teams compete in the final stretch of the season defines their character and capacity to improve regardless of record. Some teams rely on the mental aspects of the game; others look to team leaders, while others look at possibilities.
“I'm very happy with the mindset and the way our team responds each week,” Rowley said. “Our guys have done a great job focusing on each week. We still have a lot of opportunity in front of us this season, and I think our team is hungry to finish strong.”
“The senior leadership here at East Knox is amazing," Beatty said. “You expect the coaches to hold players accountable for focus, and they do. However, when your senior leaders are instilling that level of accountability concerning focus, then you know something special is happening that is truly bigger than football.”
Danville is focused on the next opponent.
“The KMAC is a solid league from top to bottom,” Blum said. “Any team can beat the other on a given Friday night. Therefore, for each game, we need 100% effort and focus from our guys. This is what we preach to our kids.”
Mount Gilead, which has never made the playoffs, controls its own destiny; and everyone in the program is well aware of the task at hand.
“For the first time in a long time, Mount Gilead has a lot on the line going into the last three weeks of the season,” Reid said. “The boys are pretty focused right now. Being in this situation has generated a lot of excitement within the program, within the school, and within the community.”
Mount Gilead’s last winning season was 2004, and this year’s five victories equal their win total over the past five seasons.
The right attitude and expanded playoff positions have the team poised and focused.
“Our boys are committed and focused to do some things that have not been done here for a while,” Reid said.
With only a few weeks left in the regular season, there is still a lot to play for.
