As the football team steps out onto the field in their season opener against Germantown, the bright lights reflect off of their eyes. They hear the loud chanting of the crowd. There are nerves, excitement and an urge from each player to start the season. Each senior knows their last year of high school football is about to start, and many underclassmen, nervous as can be, are about to play their first varsity game. After a disappointing loss, not many knew that this was simply a motivator for a season that established Homestead as a top team in the state.
Drake Zortman, head coach, talks about the key to the team’s success this year and how they were able to win some crucial games.
“I think it’s been complementary football. The transition from good offense to good special teams to good defense or from good defense creating a turnover, to finishing it up with a score on offense. I think it’s been playing complementary football,” Zortman said.
Likewise, Tommy O’Hagan, senior quarterback, talks about the strengths of the team this year, and what he feels they have done the best.
“Our team’s biggest strengths are our bond, our ability and willingness to out work other teams and our preparation,” O’Hagan said.
Additionally, Drew Dixon, linebacker coach, says that discipline has also been a critical factor thus far.
“We have some players in general that are really good with their discipline. Knowing what their job is, understanding what their job is, and knowing they can’t win the game all by themselves. Blake Wichman, junior, is a really good example of a guy that wants to do his job really, really well, and trust that other people are going to do their job too,” Dixon said.
Zortman says that the bond and chemistry between the guys has been great and that they are doing a stellar job playing together.
“I think we started with good chemistry, but I do think that that’s something that is organic and continues to grow over time. I absolutely love the vibe of the group of guys right now and they are doing a good job with the chemistry, even getting better and better as the weeks go by,” Zortman said.
O’Hagan also says that the close friendships between the players this year has been essential.
“Our whole team is extremely close this year, and I think that’s a huge factor in our success,” O’Hagan said.
In addition, Dixon stated that the group of senior leaders on the defense this year has been extremely helpful.
“We have a really good senior class of players. All these guys make it easy for us to do a lot of different things defensively because we have a lot of guys that are really committed.”
Zortman talked about how they have had not only leaders, but guys step up in the right moments because of injuries, or just in general.
“We’ve had nice contributions out of many different players, mostly earlier in the season with early weeks with some guys being out injured. We had guys like Cody Buttermore, senior, and Connor Pangallo, junior, step up on offense. Defensively, we’ve had kids that we didn’t know would. Charlie Blume, senior, had a nice start to the year with some turnovers, for example. Both sides of the ball we’ve had some nice, not surprises, but guys step up when they needed to,” Zortman said.
In addition, O’Hagan talked about his thought process after a loss, and what he does to learn from it and move on.
“I try to focus on the positives and learn from the negatives, but never let a loss discourage me,” O’Hagan said.
Zortman also added how the team has felt about the losses thus far, and what their focus has been since then.
“Obviously, the first [loss] stings a little bit, and then the next week we come back and win a good non-conference game. Since then, it’s just been trying to see if our team can be its best version of itself.”
Dixon said that it is easy to become confident and get ahead of yourself when you’re a good team, but that the guys have been good about staying motivated and focused this season.
“I think it’s easy [to become cocky] when you’re a good team, which I think we have the potential to be a really good team. I think sometimes you can make it through a few games, and you can start feeling like you’re really good, which is not always a great place to be. You want to stay hungry and want to keep improving. These guys know what the ultimate goal is, and they have been pretty good at keeping it in sight,” Dixon said.
The team kicks off post-season play against Hartford on Friday, Oct. 25 at home.
