Players reflect on perfect season

Football captures second straight conference title, with eyes on playoff perfection

The+Cougars+face+off+against+cross-town+rivals+Heritage+High+Huskies+in+the+regular+season.+The+Huskies+were+eliminated+in+round+one+of+the+playoffs+by+%232+seed+Jack+Britt+45-12.+

Sam Bennett

The Cougars face off against cross-town rivals Heritage High Huskies in the regular season. The Huskies were eliminated in round one of the playoffs by #2 seed Jack Britt 45-12.

Connor Cochrance, co-sports editor

The Cougars have repeated as Cap-8 football conference champions after a 48-0 victory over Enloe to finish out a perfect regular season for the second straight year.

Winning a championship is a great feeling for all the players and the school as a whole, but the team has new goals in mind as the they prepare for the state playoffs.

“It was a great honor to win the conference championship again. It felt great for the team to go undefeated, and now we are really excited and ready to go perform in the playoffs,” sophomore quarterback Chris James said.

There were a few close calls along the way.

“Wakefield really challenged us. We started arguing and fighting with each other. We weren’t as focused as we should have been,” sophomore linebacker Javon Terry said.

There was a lot of success throughout the season with 11 wins, and a lot of fun moments for all the players.

“I remember the Wakefield game the best when I had an interception in the back of the end zone, and Marquis had a long touchdown run to finish the game off,” sophomore safety Drew Homschek said.

Terry enjoyed helping his teammates have a special moment.

“Senior night against Sanderson was a great moment, to see all the seniors and get the win for them,” Terry said.

The rushing game has been the biggest strength in the offense this season, but James is confident the passing game will step up in the playoffs.

“Our passing game can be better. We need to get that down. We have the ability to be great with that, the quarterbacks and receivers just have to start clicking,” James said.

After a perfect regular season the team has some things they still need to improve as they proceed into the postseason.

Senior cornerback Tyler Thomas said, “The offense wants to score every time we get the ball, but the line needs to focus on their blocking a little more so we can put more points on the board. Our defense just needs to stay focused and keep doing what we are doing.”

co-sports editor Gus Holub also contributed to this story.