Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Lions, 1-3, dealing with the fallout from losses

The healing starts with the seniors taking a different approach to their teammates.

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published September 23, 2005

When it comes to high school athletes, they can be most selfish during their senior seasons.

Hernando Christian Academy senior players have spent this week repairing relationships with younger teammates they fractured in the frustration accompanying the realization that the windows were closing on their careers.

"We fell apart as a team after a couple rough weeks," senior running back/linebacker Ryan Walczak said. "As seniors, this is our last year, and we didn't want to go out losing."

Walczak, Nate Dahmer, Chase Young and a few other seniors were force-fed losses during a 1-9 season last year.

They don't have the appetite for defeats anymore. So they panicked after two straight losses and let frustration get the best of them, lashing out at younger teammates, being harsh and overly critical.

Coach Stephen Johnson said a 50-0 loss to Calvary Christian was especially tense.

"It was really hard to come back after that loss. That team out there, that wasn't us," Johnson said.

There was arguing, yelling and everything that comes with a frustrated squad in discord. It spilled over to the following week's practice and continued in a 14-9 loss to Landmark Christian.

Most of the contention sprung from seniors chastising younger players.

"It was really a thing where me and the team leaders were trying to correct some of the younger guys during the games or in practice," Walczak said. "But we were yelling at them instead of trying to explain things." Johnson had enough, so he sat down the players this week and demanded they mend whatever had broken in the aftermath of the recent losses. The healing started with the seniors taking a different approach to how they dealt with their teammates.

"You can see now that the senior captains are giving better advice," Walczak said. "It's more constructive criticism."

"They're not as apt to jump on them with both feet," Johnson said, with a bit of imagery, of the seniors.

"They're not shredding the young guys to pieces. Instead of jumping on them, they're patting them on the back, telling them "good play', or "good game.' That has a lot more impact when it comes from peers."

Winning is the best remedy, and the Lions face Lake Mary Prep (0-5) with hopes of avenging last season's 42-27 loss and further unite the team. Hernando Christian's chances seem optimistic. Lake Mary hasn't scored and its opposition goes on offensive sprees. The Griffins' last three foes each have produced more than 50 points.

Walczak and company wouldn't mind a victory full of touchdown celebrations. That's a meal he and his fellow seniors can stomach.

Vincent Thomas can be reached at vthomas@sptimes.com or 352 848-1430.

[Last modified September 23, 2005, 02:50:29]