Jacob Patterson Tray Mills, Nick Barnhouse are working out on the track prior to running, getting in shape for the Archers 2014 Football season.
Drew Altimus, has had a tough few months, “It’s been weighing on my shoulders a long time.” Antwerp’s Athletic Director has heard a lot from both sides as he struggled with how to handle the future of Antwerp football. After talking with him and others, I realized it was what had to be done. One thing you’re always told is look to the future. I realized in business is if you don’t get through now, there won’t be a future.
All schools and sports go through times of high mountains and low valleys. Guess what? Antwerp is one of those in the valley. The troubling part of this is there is nothing that can be done. So why are some people and the media critical of what is happening? Playing on it as if something is wrong? Look at it from the boys’ view. They are here and now. That’s how it is now and this year is what matters—not next year. “We can win!” Drew continued, “I have no doubts about it. I wouldn’t be here if I thought it was a lost cause.”
The 2014 Football season for Antwerp is ramping up right now and they have potential. It may not be a powerhouse yet, and these boys seem to understand that, but they have a lot of what it takes to compete. These boys are gearing up starting in weightlifting and moving out to field practice.
Football 2013 for Antwerp was a small team, and with losing 6 of the seniors from last year’s roster, it in turn makes the 2014 team suffer. The team gained five freshman, including the quarterback, Josh Paulson, who is also a freshman. It’s a young team, but they are giving everything they have to make this a great year.
Head Coach, Drew Altimus, explains to Jarrett Bute, Austin Wendt, and Trenton Copsey how handling these ropes strengthens the forearms and the rest of the upper body.
Writing over and over, this article made it difficult to think of what the positive is on all of this. I then realized, why are we even thinking about football that is over a year away when this year’s team is working hard NOW to make a difference? I’ve watched these boys sweat on the track and several nearly passed out. “Move, Move, Move!” Coach Jason Hale yelled. Austin Wendt trudged but kept going and finished. Others also struggled, but they all made it back after 150 yards. When they didn’t make it on the goal set for them they had to do it again. “You learn more about yourself in football than any other sport,” Drew stated. “These boys have to play on all 3 teams Antwerp has. They have no choice. They will work harder.” So much of the practice takes place in the mind. Your brain says, “I can’t go any further.” But you know you can. You retrain the brain.
Shaile Chamberlain, 2011 Antwerp graduate and football alumnus, gave this advice while at the field, “Set your personal goals and break them daily. When the players set goals, then the team sets goals and when you break them together you become a team and play like a team, driving each other forward.”
The 2014 team will have to work harder than any other team before it and they may get the least recognition. Not only does Antwerp have a small football team, but the classes are small. This is one of the reasons why the team is struggling to make the numbers it needs to be proficient. “Our first goal is safety,” says Drew. “This team means a lot to me. They came out even though they know we have to bridge the gap for next year.”
No matter how people are critical of the decisions for next year, the team to support is this year. It’s THIS group who work day and night to represent the school they are a part of.
