Hard Work Pays Off

The MHS Varsity football team has officially secured their spot in the state playoffs. The team will travel to Boise to face Meridian this Friday night at 7:00for a chance to advance to the second round. After only picking up 2 wins last year, you may be wondering how the Bobcats recent run of success has come to be.

“I think what turned us around was that we knew all the hard work we put in couldn’t be bad, all throughout the off season I think I had one week off. It started off with weights after school, then we would do throwing in the gym before school, then we hit spring ball, we were wearing helmets and shoulder pads and working on fundamentals in the field house before school, which was awesome! I honestly think the biggest thing that turned this program around was Coach Rhoads and how he got us in the weight room,” Senior Tel Bair said.

The early mornings and long days after school that the boys spent putting in hard work has shown on the field. After last year’s tough season the Bobcats had to find a way to regain their confidence.

“The weight room not only makes you stronger but it builds confidence, when I go to hit a running back and know that I can squat and bench more than his body weight I know that I’m gonna run him over. Weight Room!” Bair said.

Being an athlete there are many ways to gain confidence on the field during a game. One of these ways is the crowd.

“I definitely feel like I play a lot better when the crowd is loud and into the game,” Senior Wide Receiver Logan Crane said, “It will definitely be a lot more difficult to make big plays without a crowd but if we stay focused and do what we usually do we should be fine.” 

This week’s game is do or die, if they win they will play Mountain View in the quarterfinals. The pressure is on.

“I think the biggest thing for us this week is to have really good intense practices. We are one of the hottest teams right now with the big win over Rigby but we have to forget about that and focus on Meridian. I think that the idea of win or go home gives us a lot of momentum during the game for me and my teammates to make big plays this week when we know what is at risk if we don’t,” Senior linemen Sam Rasmussen said.

This is a big game and you won’t want to miss it. MHS Athletic Director Mr. Proctor has information on tickets.

“I’d love to see a ton of students down there, you don’t have to purchase tickets online, you just take your activity card and money and pay right there at the gate,” Proctor said, “Drive safe, and Buckle up!”