Editor’s note: Bob Cox recently sat down with five senior North Montgomery football players. Ross Dyson, Jacob Hughes, Noah Hopkins, Jarrod Kirsch and Austin Sulc shared thoughts about a variety of topics including from when they started playing together to the inevitable realization that this chapter in their life will eventually come to an end.
North Montgomery’s football team is led by 13 seniors this season. The team had a 6-4 record going into Friday’s sectional semifinal game against Tri-West. A Montgomery County championship was a goal achieved. In the Sagamore Conference, the Chargers tied with Lebanon for third place. The players talked about how their classmates have grown and matured leading into this season.
“Ever since fifth grade we have played together,” Hughes said. “We have always been able to raise each other up.”
The seniors said one of the main reasons for this season’s success is that the seniors have matured and are unselfish.
“You have to give credit to the guys who don’t get a lot of playing time,” Hopkins said. “I think of Cale Anderson who gives 100% on the scout team. He was a starter a couple of games but he just does what he is asked to do and helps the team get better every week.”
Hughes, the Chargers most experienced lineman, mentioned fellow senior Corbin Meadows as an example of maturity his classmates have displayed. Meadows started the season as the H-back but when given the option, he agreed to move to the offensive line. The move led to more team success.
“When Corbin moved to the offensive line, we definitely got better,” Hughes said. “But there are other guys who have sacrificed for this team. The growth of guys like Israel Rose, Meadows, Rice and myself has become the best group of guys that I’ve played with while here at North.”
Sulc agreed with Hughes. He said being unselfish is a trait for his that trait and has drifted down to the underclassmen.
“This team gets along so well,” Sulc said. “We respect each other and that includes every class all the way down to the freshmen. Every player is on the same page and wants success.”
Sulc mentioned fellow senior Jacob Rice who has been a key player this season after missing the last two due to injury. He said Rice is a good example of doing what it takes to be successful. He also appreciates Sam Willhite and Lucas Mills who go hard in practice knowing their playing time will be limited.
Dyson said players continued to get better each year. He said Roman Utterback, who has had a good season at wide receiver, is an example of not giving up. Utterback played junior varsity last year but has been a big player on the offense this year.
Like every team, the senior class has had players with injuries to overcome. Hopkins missed two seasons with knee injuries as did Rice. Having the players together for their last time has been part of the success this season.
“This is the first time since probably eighth grade that we have been together,” Dyson said. “That has been a key for us and made this season even better.”
The desire to be good has been a trait of this team ever since they played fifth grade football. Kirsch said he believes there is one common thread for the seniors and team.
“We have always been competitive and want to win,” Kirsch said. “We are competitive against each other in practice and that carries to Friday night. We believe we can win any game. And, when we do lose, we all hate it.”
The players said being able to beat and compete with the upper echelon teams of the conference has given them more confidence. Dyson said watching previous Charger teams struggle against the likes of Danville, Tri-West and Lebanon gave his senior teammates more incentive to do better this season.
“Growing up, we watched North get their tails beat against the better conference teams.” Dyson said. “The seniors said it was time to beat some of the teams in the conference and beating Western Boone twice was fun. We easily could have beaten Lebanon and we were right there against Danville for a half after beating them last season. We had an unspoken goal to be the team people remembered that played well against the top tier.”
The players comprised a lengthy list of people they want to thank. They mentioned all their coaches from elementary to this year’s coaching staff. They also thanked their parents who have been supportive since the first day of practice eight years ago.
When reminded the end of the season can happen any Friday now, each player spoke about the hurt they believe will come. The players know the day is coming that they will never step onto a football field together again.
“It is going to hurt big time,” Hopkins said. “When we walk off the field, we are going to have a lifetime of memories, but I am not looking forward to this all ending.”
Kirsch said the ending, whenever it happens, is going to hit hard.
“We have done it all together, and it doesn’t matter if a player has been a key player in games, or a player who has made all of us better in practice, we will walk off together as one and be there for each other.”
Dyson, who has led the offense all season at quarterback, said even though the last game will hurt, his teammates can leave the game knowing they gave 100 percent for a common cause.
“I know I am going to leave this game thankful for having the opportunity to play this game with everyone on our team,” Dyson said. “We have dedicated a lot to this point to playing football, but we know it has been worth it.”
