Wakefield’s Flag Football team has pushed above expectations, currently running unbeaten in their games. Going 17-0, the team has been appreciating the wins, but is still working to improve beyond its limits. With the multiple changes of rules the league has faced, the team has adapted exceptionally well. They are determined and hard-set on every win, while understanding that they can’t accept that the season is over. This is just the start.
Being undefeated doesn’t come without its challenges. However, the positive attitude the coach brings drives the players’ success. Head Coach Kyle Bayer is currently in his second season coaching this team, and is still trying to help the team improve every chance he gets.
“When you see 10 shutouts, it makes it seem like it’s not hard, but we also pride ourselves on the little things,” Bayer said. “We work hard, day in, day out, to go ahead and just keep getting better.”
When wanting to achieve this amount of success, every little detail counts towards a positive outcome. Due to the constant rule changes within their league, consistency is important. To keep that unbeaten streak, senior Rowan McMullin talks about how she remains consistent towards her team’s success.
“[I make] sure I’m always showing up, doing my best and encouraging others when something doesn’t happen the way we want [it] to,” McMullin said.
A positive mindset always makes a difference, and when dealing with emotions, it’s easy to get too confident. To keep the team from going downhill, Peyton Thomas, the assistant coach, talks about how the girls are staying true to themselves.
“We know that we are really good, but we’re trying to humble ourselves every day of practice to make sure we don’t get too ahead of ourselves,” Thomas said.
Not letting an ego get in the way can lead to chemistry in the team, and can therefore lead to greater achievements. Senior Co-Captain, Brenna Colleran, shines a light on how working together as a team outweighs the individual skills each player possesses.
“I think it’s all a team effort, so it’s not a lot of individual work, it’s just all together,” Colleran said.
The team tries to balance both work and play to construct a positive mindset for the players. The coaches try to keep it light-hearted to make practices enjoyable while still keeping the players on their toes.
“The girls definitely keep it light. The head coach keeps it light, but we also take it very seriously when we need to,” Thomas said.
The athletes are striving to keep this unbeaten streak alive while still keeping a healthy mindset. It’s not only about the skill of the players, but of balancing hard work and determination with enjoyment and passion. Therefore, the team is still looking to improve game by game, no matter the obstacles.
“It’s easy to say ‘think big picture,’ but I just want us to keep getting better,” Bayer said. “I think that’s the only way to go ahead and stay humble.”
