Varsity Game Summary
Not the ending we were looking for, but another fantastic high school football game. If you had told me heading into the game that we would generate 44 points I would have told you we were going to win the game. We just could not generate enough defense, and in big games--especially playoff games--you have to play great defense.
I wish I could tell you that I knew all along, beginning five years ago, that this is how everything would play out. I would be a liar. It has been a tough road to say the least. A head coach is under constant scrutiny....from himself! There have been many times I have questioned and second guessed my own self. Fortunately, this year's seniors (Read, Kroll, Hailey, Price, Trotter, Bolling, Nolen, Harris, Gorman) never waivered. I do beleive in our system and I do beleive in our Program. I beleive with all my heart that if you do things in life the right way, make good decisions, put the program before yourself, that good things will happen. This year is a testament to that. These 9 seniors have proven the program worthy through their commitment and determination. What started as a dream five years ago became a reality this year. Looking back, I don't think I would trade any of it. I am not sure that without the struggles in those early years that this year's season would have been quite has sweet. I appreciate all who have supported and continue to support, and I am thankful for those who offered support early on. I hope this year has served as some sort of reward for you.
One of the hardest transitions of a young man's life is that time they must adjust to life after football. I am very sensitive to our seniors at this point and understand what they are going through. You spend six years of your life training, working, and anticipating to have come abruptly to the end. Doesn't matter if you play 10 games, 11 games, or finish in the state championship game when its over there is a part of you that goes missing. My hope is that each year the seniors take pride in their time they have spent as a part of the Wildcat family and then focusing their attention on college, being a great person, husband, and father. This time is a tough transition for a coach as well. Don't know that I can state this for a fact since both of my own kids are still at home, but I anticipate the feeling I have seeing those seniors walk off the field for the last time is similar to watching your own children move out and move on with life. You are proud of them, excited for them, but a little sad that a part of their life is ending--especially the part that has involved you. I suppose you grow them up the best you can, enjoy the time you have with them, and then hope they remember you when they have moved on. Each class is special to me, and this one is certainly no different. They have been a great group and will truly be missed. I am excited to see what each of them does with the next phase of their life.
This year's team, with the senior's leadership, has accomplished a tremendous goal of getting Santo Football to the playoffs. Santo Football is not what it used to be. The landscape has changed. As our level of play increases, so will our goals. The expectation for future groups is to repeat as playoff participants. The expectation moving forward is to compete for championships be it district, bi district, or state. We need to start putting some gold balls in the trophy case. In the near future, it is not going to be enough to just get there. We need to get there and play a while. Our preparations for next year will begin almost immediately. There is another class we have to prep for leadership, and there are some young kids that have to be prepared for varisty action and big time football. We will set our sights on a district championships and practicing on Thanksgiving--the next steps for our program. We have just scratched the surface this season. We have not reached the pinnacle for us yet. We have only taken a peek at the top. I am anticipating many more exciting years to come. Thanks to all. See you again in February for realignment-- Coach Thornton
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