Last school year, Wesleyan School graduated 20 football players and for the Wesleyan Varsity Football team this year, it means a whole different set of players came to play the game. The team currently has played five games, two won and three loss. Having to coach new young players does not intimidate any of the coaches for what lies ahead of the season. Head football coach Franklin Pridgen said, “Each team is always different because kids graduate, and others rise up. That makes it very fun to coach at this level. A new senior class every year always puts their stamp on our season.”
The varsity football team kicked off their season against Meadowcreek High School on Aug. 17th. Even though their first game ended in a loss, it served as a motivation for players to work more on their skills. “We are a very young and inexperienced team returning only two starters on each side of the ball, but we are also very capable. Once our experience catches up with our ability then we expect to be in good shape to make some noise in the state playoffs,” said Pridgen. This statement proved to be true on Sept. 14 when the football team won 48-0 against Our Lady of Mercy.
The coaches for the football team have several goals for this season such as “playing at Thanksgiving” and most importantly they want “for each individual to reach his potential.” Senior football captain JD Kavel also addressed that the players have a goal to add on for themselves: “Our team’s goal is to make a run in the playoffs and have fun while doing it.”
Along with the football team, the Marching Band program has also had a great start to their season with returning members, as well as new members, performing the new theme entitled “River of Life.” Jeff Foster, director of the Wesleyan Marching Band, said, “We have the smallest group we have had in 15 years, yet it’s the hardest working group I have ever had. Some things we are doing differently this year are performing on a tarp and performing in custom uniforms that are designed for the show. This is all for the first time ever.” Senior Rachel Hudson, co-drum major this year, said, “the band has a special chemistry this year so even the parts that have been new or difficult have been able to go a lot smoother because everyone is so devoted to each other and to the show.”
Foster gives a description for this year’s show: “A season of life where you begin an exciting journey, but then hard times come, and things never go the way you expect them. Eventually, you come out on the other end better off than you were before.” Hudson said, “The River of life – in the words of Dorothy is “just keep swimming.” This year’s show is divided into four parts which will include some familiar songs like “Mouth of the River” by Imagine Dragons and even music from Moana’s Kakamora scene.
Even though, the marching band and the football team have yet to complete their run of the show and head to the State Playoffs, both have performed their best for the Wolf Pack. The next home game will be on Sept. 28 against Eagles Landing Christian Academy.
