By: Kaan Usular ’23

“If you want to blame someone, look in the mirror.” – Coach Vining

The coach and the players shape the mentality of the team. It has only been two years since I started playing football, and it is not that hard to see why team sports are a growth place for everyone who participates. Every year has a different story but only one thing always continues to be the same: Ambition to win. 

At Hebron Academy, I had a chance to play football for two Fall trimesters. In these two different years, I observed what elements make the spirit of the team. In 2021, we only had one win and this year we only had one loss. But why? Every individual person has a purpose in the football team even if they don’t play as much as they want to. They are all part of the team. We almost won all the games we played because teammates who didn’t play were giving water, screaming, and supporting the team every single minute. Every time a player made a mistake, there was a stronger connection to support and to keep going after those mistakes. I experienced that feeling in depth. I’m an offensive and defensive line. There was one rule that I’ve forgotten every time. An interior lineman in a two-point stance can shift and go in motion – as long as he never puts his hand on or near the ground. When I put my hand on the ground, I cannot lift it again. I had a flag four times because of the adrenaline that I felt inside my body. I wanted to crash every defensive line that played against me. I did it because there was no fear. 

All those long bus rides with Royce, winning or losing with my teammates, and the feeling of brotherhood. I will never forget the effort we all put into games that bring the championship to Hebron. 

Family on me, family on three, 1, 2, 3 FAMILY!!!!