The varsity football team has concluded its season with a record of 5-5. Head coach Nelson Gifford said while the season wasn’t always smooth sailing, his team has solid potential.  

“Every year teaches me something new, and this year has been no different,” Gifford said. “I have learned new lessons and been reminded of old ones.” 

Though the team has gained strength and worked hard physically, junior captain and starting center Va’inga Mahesaid that is not the only factor the team is looking to improve in. 

“I feel like our team needs to work on ourselves mentally,” Mahe said,  “knowing plays, knowing where to line up, all that type of stuff.” 

Running back Jack Newman said despite the team’s close relationships with each other, working together more frequently outside of practice would be beneficial.  

“We definitely need to be in the weight room as a team,” Newman said. 

For Gifford, the quest to get better never stops. He said he wants the team to focus on the big picture and also look outside of wins and losses in the future.

“We are always looking to improve,” Gifford said. “There isn’t a day that goes by that we are not thinking of ways to get better in all facets of play and life.” 

Mahe said the team needs to continue working as a collective and playing to its strengths on the field. Only then, he said, will this group be able to compete to its full potential. 

“I am confident that we can be a great team,” Mahe said. “We just have things to work on both as a team and individually.”