The power of one: Monticello football preview

MY CAVE, MY VIEW

by Gary Torres

The Power of One. This year’s team captains have a daunting task in front of them. Can they make everyONE believe in the Power of One? They don’t have many extra kids; currently, the team only has 30 kids willing to pay the price of two-a-days. They will pick up a few more kids when school starts; hopefully some will be big. So everyONE counts! In a school the size of Monticello everyONE has to get involved!

It takes a coaching staff that can recruit and retain every possible kid. Not an easy task when lots of kids are apathetic, indifferent, or would rather stand on the sideline of life. Somehow the coach has to make kids believe that even if they only play for two minutes every game; that those two minutes have to be the best two minutes of his life.

The Buckaroos have some good experience, some great skill kids, and even a few linemen that are bigger than our usual. But, depth will be a problem…or a challenge, depending on how you look at the glass; half empty or half full.

Can these captains inspire the troops? Can these thirty find the inspiration of the three hundred Spartans? Will there be a Leonidas that can make these thirty fight every battle as gallantly and with such purpose and focus that larger players and teams with more numbers, will at the least, walk away with respect for such a determined team and may walk away surprised. If these captains can make every freshman, every cheerleader, every fan believe; then the power of ONE collectively may take this team towards their goals of greatness they now only dare to whisper.

If this team is to have success they will have to pull together as a team, creating an immovable, unstoppable phalanx united in purpose, dedicated to a cause, where the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the ONE, and where everyONE does exactly what is required of them and just a little extra. These captains will have to inspire the loyalty and get the assistance of players like hard working Terik Esplin, only a freshman; or Kendall Maughan, whose body is finally catching up with his determination, or Devin Wright who could help with the “right” stuff. The seniors may have to lead the charge, but it is these younger players that have to step up and be ready. EveryONE has to be on this team, about this team, and for the team! No individual heroics will defeat the 1A teams starting to prepare for the Fall football grid iron battle. It will take a Team of everyONE.

This team will have success when players and coaches and the community grasp the importance of one missed practice, one missed tackle, one missed catch, one fumble, one extra effort, one more hit, and one more try. When everyONE steps up, the TEAM becomes ONE. If they learn that the harder you work; the harder it is to surrender they might have success.

A few years ago, the difference between the state championship trophy going to Enterprise and not Monticello was ONE inch. On that fateful day; on fourth down and a yard to go the Wolves went for it and made the first down by one inch and that kept the ball out of the hands of the explosive Buckaroo offense and they were able to kill the clock beating the mighty Buckaroos. The Power of One is real. Good luck Bucks!