Homecoming football games are traditionally big events at high schools. This year’s game takes place at Wakefield’s home stadium, at 7:00 on September 26.  This night provides athletes with a chance to showcase their talents and hopefully end the week with a win.

The team is looking forward to the game, as they make preparations for success. Wakefield is up against Enloe High School, whose team had a successful season last year. Peter Stanicek, a Junior and Co-Captain on the team, emphasizes the competitiveness of this game.

“I don’t really know a lot about Enloe yet, but I think they’re a pretty good team,” Stanicek said. “But so are we, so I think it will be a pretty good game.”

Wakefield’s head coach, Trent Wilson, is helping the team prepare by pushing the athletes hard during practice. He has high praise for the team and thinks they will be victorious. But no one team is successful without practice.

“We don’t make a lot of the same mistakes that we made in the past, so that will be a big [improvement],” Wilson said. “I will say the discipline and the culture is totally different. [The players] are very supportive of each other, we have hard, physical practices.”

The coaching team is working with the players to help improve their understanding of the sport, as well as their abilities during the game. The offensive coach, Darry Ragland, is working with the offense to score touchdowns. He is also supporting the defense, allowing each player to power through to the end.

“Right now, my goal is just to put points on the board,” Ragland said. “We [have] to score, to hopefully give the defense a little support, because now you force teams to do what they are not comfortable doing.”

Wakefield quarterback, senior Tristan Kabras, was recently injured. He is now cleared to play for the Homecoming game and is excited to get back on the field while still monitoring his injury and practicing with the team. Kabras explains what his specific recovery process has looked like.

“[I am] just stretching, going over the new plays, running through the new plays,” Kabras said. [I am also] building the chemistry with my receivers again.”

Overall, the team is excited for the game against Enloe. Wakefield is adamant about improving and learning from their past mistakes. With this being said, the team is working towards a win, which they believe will come when they focus on the moment.

“We’re just trying to recapture that glory, recapture that fire,” Wilson said. “We’re getting there, though, we’re getting there.”