CHATHAM, Ill. (WAND) - Throughout the summer, Glenwood head coach David Hay has challenged his Titans roster to raise the bar. Each practice is an opportunity to improve. With strong work ethic comes a likelihood of success.

"It's all just one day at a time, and one rep at a time, once practice at a time," Coach Hay says. "[By] upholding that standard, good things are going to happen."
 
The Titans return 15 starters to the field from their 2024 campaign. As one of the largest schools in central Illinois, added roster depth means more players have an opportunity to contribute. Glenwood's players have committed to the "iron sharpens iron" mentality.
 
"I really think a lot of guys buy into that, especially in our senior group," says senior defensive back Trystin Decatoire. "I think all these guys buying into the standard and having the dedication in the weight room and out here on the practice field, it's going to be really special to see it all pull together with the final year."
 
Through summer workouts and 7-on-7 competition with other programs, new faces have demonstrated they are willing to step up and can handle responsibilities of older, more experienced teammates.
 
"A lot of guys that have proven this summer that they can be valuable players on the team," says Jack Young, a senior defensive lineman. "Knowing that we're going to be rotating against teams that may not have that type of depth, it's exciting."
 
With a high level of experience, means less pressure on coaches to focus on the basics. Preseason workouts move more fluidly with the installation of plays and schemes, in turn, allowing an emphasis on smaller details to perfect the execution.
 
Coach Hay says, "You can start to be farther along in your playbook than you would otherwise."
 
The Titans have been to the IHSA postseason in 21 consecutive seasons. They've continued to prove successful regionally against teams in Central Illinois, but have struggled to escape the first two rounds of the playoffs against class 6A competition.
 
"We believe that we can be more than a quarterfinal team like we've been," Young says. "We want to take it all the way this year. So seeing those groups, it shows with the hard work, anything's possible."
 
The Chatham players say the strength of the Central State 8 conference plays a key role in preparing them for whoever they match up with at year's end. Each year the standings are close and just one win over an opponent can mean the difference between leading the CS8 or placing outside the top three.
 
"I think it's one of the best conferences in Illinois, for sure," Decatoire says. "It's a very physical conference. Very competitive. We have a lot of good teams in our conference. So we go to play in the playoffs and even in 6A we're pretty well prepared."
 
Last season Glenwood finished in 2nd place in the conference with a 4-1 record. The Titans open their season on the road at Edwardsville.
 
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