By Tatiana Guandique and Jasmyn Billy
With last Friday’s victory over Berkeley high the James Logan Colts have set themselves up for a postseason clash with the Heritage Patriots. It is the latest development in a season filled with ups and downs.
James Logan Varsity Football Players give The Courier an inside scoop on how the season started based on games, mindset, and goals. The recent change in development would have to be the pressure with games and practices some people are starting to have based on grade and level, which adds to wanting to improve in plays, practices, and relationships with their team. The varsity team gave insight into what they think about the season and game preparation ideas. There were some similarities and differences in the feedback with a good amount of information and opinions from different positions on Varsity.
One of the team captains, senior Danzel Mercado, varsity wide receiver and cornerback, stated how he thinks the season is going so far from a captain’s perspective as he “feel[s] frustrated with how the season has started so far with the team’s maturity level and our young age.” He explains that because of the age range and grade levels on the team, the players tend to mess around. Most importantly, however, they know when to be in game mode when they need to be.
Another person we interviewed was junior Steven Swamy, a wide receiver and defensive back, also on the varsity team. When questioned about the biggest challenges the team has faced so far, Swamy stated, “The biggest challenge was the amount of times players were getting injured and the length of recovery time off the field, especially with the running backs. [What makes it a] bigger challenge is that they can’t bounce back fast.”
With all the information we were getting so far from interviews, the Courier is able to understand and connect to what is being given. That being said, junior Keian Davis, running back and defensive back, also on the varsity team says that “practices do help when it comes to the games. The walk-throughs on Thursdays also help and make me feel prepared.”
Lastly, the final interviewee was senior Thalia Buaphan, linebacker, defensive tackle, nose guard, and guard, and the only girl on the Varsity football team. This is Buaphan’s first year on the team, and when questioned about how her position matches her skills and her initial experiences, Buaphan says, “[My positions] do match my skill level but I have a few obstacles because I have asthma and that limits how much I run. I focus more on upper body strength for my positions.”
These varsity players showcased how the team gets their heads in that game mindset so they have a good game, “Some people bang their heads on the walls,” says Mercado.“I watch some football films which helps me get my head ready for a game,” says Buaphan.
A future goal for the team this season is that they’re “hoping to end the season off with some wins plus bringing home the State Trophy,” said Mercado.
