by Crisel Magyawi, Staffwriter

The Devils’ Advocate

For families, it is the sport that brings them together on Sundays; for others, it is the adrenaline rushing through their veins as the clock runs while their team is down by a touchdown. For the Panthers nation, it was “24-10,” the heartbreaking numbers symbolizing the loss of the Super Bowl trophy that was on the tip of their fingers.

For Sweetwater, football is Friday Night Lights that unite not just the students, but everyone in the city. It is watching their friends and sons running up and down the field while sharing laughs with old friends. For our football players, football is blood, sweat and tears. It is the early mornings in the weight room and the late nights on the field. It is the sound of their breaths shortening, their heart thumping and their coaches yelling.

Last year, our football team encountered several challenges that weakened the team as a whole. However, these predicaments did not stop them from devoting their lives to the sport they love. “Unfortunately, last football season, we learned the hard way that success wasn’t given, but instead earned,” says one of the current football captains, Alfredo Uolla. “To avoid another 1-9 season, we’ve been practicing non-stop in order to have our redemption this year for SUHi,” he adds. With the help of the new head coach, Wesley Charles and his coaching staff, the team will build from the ground up and stand stronger than ever this fall.

A sport thrives with determination and passion, and this is exactly what our team is giving. On August 26th, at 7:00 p.m., our men will stand on the field, cleats pounding on the turf and hearts on the field, more ready than they’ve ever been before. Despite last year’s record, they will play with minds of champions and disregard all the challenges they have faced. After all, the road to success runs uphill.