Tag Archives: Football

Football, Sports

Q & A with Smoky Hill’s Female Football Player

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By Alexis Stuckey 

When the varsity football played Smoky Hill Sept. 7 for the Homecoming game, few in the stands knew that a girl was on the field.  Her name is Annika Edgington.

When did you join the Smoky Hill football team?
This year, as a junior.

Why did you decide to go out for football?
I told my friend I was interested in playing and he said you can’t because you’re a girl, so I went out to prove him wrong.

What’s your favorite part about playing football?
I love the challenges that are in football. All the sports I’ve played before have beens ones that I’ve grown up playing, so I knew everything about it. But it’s different with football. I’m still learning how the game works.

How is the team towards you?
I love how supportive the team is of me. The team is welcoming towards me.

Has playing on the team changed how you’re treated at school?
There are a lot of times at school when I’m wearing my jersey and some people look at me kind of confused, or they ask who I’m dating on the team. When I tell them that I play, usually they think it’s really cool. Of course, there’s always going to be people who don’t approve but there are way more supporters and people who are proud of me for sticking to my guns.

What is the biggest challenge of playing for you?
Not pressuring myself, I want to be perfect at everything, and takes every little downfall rough

How do you feel like you’ve done this season?
I didn’t get an opportunity to kick at all in the first game, so between 2 games I’ve been 14 for 14 on extra points and I’m 0 for 1 for field goals. I’m really pleased that I’m 100% on extra points, and of course I wish I would’ve made the field goal but I’m getting better every day.

Football, Sports

Football Joins Best in State in 5A

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We are Legend. We are Family. We are One. Those are the words that grace the backs of the Legend Titan football teams’ jerseys this year as they prepare themselves for a new year with a new challenge: 5A football.

Legend played its first 5A game against Prairie View on Aug 31. The Titans started off their season strong, coming out with a win.
According to senior Mark Piazza, 5A football is going to be a breeze for the team.

“Football is football, I’m confident in my team,” said Piazza. Most of the players agreed that they were prepared to battle the 5A teams, including the number five ranked, Fountain Fort Carson Trojans.

“Fountain Fort Carson is a very talented, and physical team, they are good but we can take them,” defensive coordinator Cody Meuli said. “As far as I’m concerned we can take on any team at this moment.”

In preparation for this season, the team keeps up with the opposition by watching film, working out, and practicing whenever they can.
But what do they do before the game to prepare?

“We have a game day routine. We [have] a team meeting and then have a pre game ritual that involves lots of stretching and getting mentally prepared,” said Meuli.

“We are a very religious team and to prepare for our games this season we do a team prayer and ask God for good luck and protection,” said Piazza. “As well as to be successful as the newcomers [in] the 5A league.”

The players can only be cool, calm, and collected for so long before we start to see them sweat.

One primary player in the team who has a lot on his shoulders is Peyton Remy, the varsity starting quarterback that happens to be a sophomore.

“[Peyton Remy] is the youngest starter; [he] always has encouraging words,” senior Ian Mac said. “He’s never nervous, or at least he doesn’t show it.”

Bringing their senior leadership to the team this year are, Andrew Bergner, Luke Behrends, and Colton Fries according to coach Meuli.
“They could help lead the team to a 5A all around victory,” Meuli said.

Football, Sports

Eli Moore Announces at Homecoming Game

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By Jimmy Aaron

Girls’ basketball coach and guitar teacher Eli Moore took the place of science teacher Jay Zimmerman as the announcer for the Homecoming football game, and all future home games.

Moore feels his announcing style is more down-to-earth. While he tends to be more factual, Z is more emotional.

“The only time I get emotional is when we get a touchdown,” Moore said. “[Jay Zimmerman] is one of the best announcers around,” he added.

Mr. Moore’s chant of “Touchdown, Touchdown, Touchdown!” is indeed one of the few moments in which he projects emotion. The chant comes from Kent Pavelka, the announcer for the Nebraska Huskers in the early nineties.

“I’m a big Huskers fan,” Moore said.

According to Mr. Moore, he wouldn’t be able to announce effectively if it wasn’t for the assistance of his spotter, former assistant football coach Andy Wold.

“He’s up there with the binoculars,” Moore said. “He’s the backbone of the operation. I learn something from him every game.”

Moore’s qualifications for the position of announcer come from involvement in performing arts, as well as 10 years of experience as an announcer prior to coming to Legend.

“I [announced] 10 years at Chaparral,” Moore said. “Being a singer and performer helps.”

The stressors that come with announcing can affect anyone, even somebody as experienced as Moore. One stressor he highlights is the delay between speaking and broadcasting over the stadium intercoms.

“You’re already on the next thought. The echo effect can make you stumble,” Moore said.

The environment of the announcer’s booth may be stressful, but it is its own reward. Such an outlook reflects Moore’s experience and comfort with announcing.

“It’s the best seat in the house,” Moore said.