Captains of the Issue: Football

Captains of the Issue

by April Higgs 
Editor-In-Chief

The bright stadium lights and the roar of the student section during a touchdown on chilly evenings create unforgettable memories for Patriots. Football season is one of the most exciting times of the school year for many students. It raises school spirit all around the campus, not only during spirit week, but during the entire season. Beginning their training in the summer, the four captains work to get the team ready for fall, Friday night lights.

The senior captains, Brian Irving, Cody Howard, and Gavin Whittington have played football together for Northern all four years of their high school career. The fourth captain, Zach Crounse played for Northern until his junior year when he transferred to DeMatha so he could continue his athletic career, but for his senior year he decided to come back to play for Northern. “I transferred back to Northern to ultimately play football with my friends, play in front of the school and community one last time,” said Crounse.

Football is an important part of the Northern community, as the season begins at the start of each school year and brings spirit to the school. Football plays a vital role in all of the captains’ lives. Irving enjoys the brotherhood and camaraderie of the team. “From playing with a kid you have known since you were five to someone you met this year, they are your brothers,” he said.

Howard and Crounse agree that their favorite part about football is “the energy”. 

“The energy is like no other,” said Howard. The NHS student section, especially during football season, is full of school spirit. Crouse said, “Running out of the banner with hundreds of people screaming is one of the best feelings in the world.” Not only is the energy at the game “unmatched” as Crounse said, but even throughout the day students and the team all demonstrate unwavering enthusiasm leading up to the seven o’clock game.

The captains had to prepare the team for the first full season since 2019. Although it was a challenge to get everyone on the team to come to preseason workouts, Irving said, “This team prepared by working harder than all the other teams in the state. Practicing and pushing each other in those summer workouts made this team so good.”

All of the captains are on the same page when it comes to being good role models for the team: having every quality of a good leader. “​​You always have to make sure your guys are doing what they are supposed to on and off the field. Guide them to what’s right and wrong, encourage them when times are rough but most importantly, you have to listen to them. Listen to what their issues are, what they think we can be doing better because listening to the people you’re leading is the only way you can do what is in their best interest,” said Howard. 

Crounse agreed with Howard, also stating that what the team does on and off the field is important. He added that it requires responsibility, respect and accountability. As a captain you must show up every day to better yourself, and Irving wants to help others reach their potential at the same time. Irving said, “Personally I help motivate my group of guys, ranging from practice to mid-game adjustments that are crucial.” 

The four seniors have been working hard this season to create the best version of themselves and the team, not only to win games, but also to reach specific goals they have in mind. While a goal of theirs is to beat Huntingtown by 50 points this year, a bigger goal is to bring something Northern has never seen. They hope to take the team to the state championship game, but also bring back a state ring for football. Crounse said, “We want to hang a few banners this school has never seen before, we want to make a statement this year and we want to prove that we are the best team in the state.”

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