The journey through this season has been full of hard work and dedication for the Hornet football team. The players have dedicated hours to practice, improving their skills and sharpening their strategies. Hard work and perseverance have paid off, going a whole season undefeated and earning a spot in the playoffs. 

Junior Cooper Billingsley has been playing football for five years. He believes that the state championship is the primary objective, but, without team sportsmanship, there would be no state. 

“Working together and coming to practice with better energy has helped the team so much,” Billingsley said. “Our main goal is to make it to state and, of course, win.” 

The football team prepares to enter the playoffs on Nov. 22. According to senior Elijah Hill, postseason practices are more challenging compared to regular game practices, making playoff preparation demanding. 

“Big games, like the playoffs, require a more attentive practice,” Hill said. “Our coaches get pretty serious about it because it’s either win or go home.” 

Beyond all the individual effort, It’s the perseverance and dedication that set the team apart and gave them the opportunity to be able to go to the playoffs. Junior Matthew Nelson, defensive end, explains that making it to the playoffs simply demonstrates how hard they worked. 

“We worked hard for it, we spent all summer and this whole year to make it to the playoffs” Nelson said.  

Making it to the state championship is the main objective for these young athletes. Senior quarterback Jordan Walker feels knowing that reaching the playoffs and winning is important, but the state championship is the ultimate goal that inspires the team to perform well in every game. 

“We just have that standard of making it to the playoffs, then making it to the state championship,” Walker said. “We keep that in mind at practice, and before any game.”