SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sacred Heart-Griffin football is gearing up for week one next Friday.
"It feels amazing to back here out on the field with my brothers and I'm just ready for the season," said Jobe Kepler, a junior defensive lineman and fullback.
Drew Ward, a senior cornerback and wide receiver for the Cyclones, added, "I'm excited to see how the season goes. I think we're going to have a good squad out here and we have a chance to make it far."
The two things being drilled into the team's head during summer and fall camp: physicality and leadership.
"I think we really have to try to be leaders this year, try to lead this team, and just be as physical as we can," said senior linebacker and tight end Bryce Kraft. "Do the right job, do your responsibility, and play as a team."
"On the field you have to be able to trust the guy next to you on your left and right," junior running back and safety Mike Groesch chimed in. "When they trust you and you trust them, you're basically an unstoppable force."
John Allison, the Head Coach of SHG, agrees with the sentiment laid out by his players.
"We try to get people to be leaders, but there's just some people that are better at it, and this group is a lot better at it than some groups," he said. "They start that in the weight room. They're the first ones in there and the last ones to leave. They push each other the hardest. And I think the biggest thing when you have good leaders is they start policing the team without the coaches having to do it."
Allison wants SHG to return to being contenders for the state championship after losing in the second round of the playoffs a season ago.
"We've been saying it a long time around here our toughest opponent is ourselves," Coach Allison said. "If we can push past that and practice well and be focused and intense, then I think they're going to have a great season."
SHG opens up the year at home against Christian Brothers next Friday night.
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