MAROA, Ill. (WAND) — The Maroa Forsyth Trojans are back on the practice field, coming off a second consecutive state title game appearance, with their sights set on finishing the job.
Head coach Josh Jostes said the first day of camp felt routine for his players.
"I walked out, I blew the whistle, they were in line, they know what to expect, they know what we do, it's just another day of work for them," Jostes said.
Jostes said the back-to-back runner-up finishes come up more among players than coaches.
"I used to harp on it about finishing. The older I get, the more you realize how hard it is to do what we do year in and year out. I do think the kids say it a lot more than the coaches do," Jostes said.
Graham Blackwell, a junior tackle and defensive end, says the team is leaning into it as motivation.
"We bring it up every day. That's what drives us, that's what motivates us, it's why we want to get it done. It sucks coming up short, especially back-to-back years, so it does nothing but motivate us," said Blackwell.
Early fall practice is focused on installing the playbook before pads go on.
"We are in what our kids call 'Hell Week,' which is certainly not Hell anymore, but we are here 3.5 hours all the way through next Thursday, so all the mental part should be done, and then next Friday is the scrimmage already, so it's here. And then we're in game prep getting ready for New Berlin," Jostes said.
Graham said the team is already feeling the pull of the first game.
"It's going to ramp up fast, we're going to have an intense week this week, next week we have a scrimmage, and then it's the first week. I've been thinking about it all summer. I'm overly excited for the first week, New Berlin here, it's going to be great," Graham said.
Jostes, now in his 27th year coaching, said the anticipation has not faded.
"As soon as that excitement goes away then it's time for me to step away. And I'm not sure that will ever go away," Jostes said.
The Trojans begin their campaign on August 21st against New Berlin.
Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.Â
