I could see them start to get uncomfortable again. They knew that they hadn’t taken Lakeview seriously.
“Let’s admit some hard truths,” I continued. “The intensity of practice last week sucked, and we were all sleepwalking through it. We didn’t take our opponent seriously. After that game, it should be clear that we can’t just show up and expect to win. Every single team, regardless of talent, has circled our game on their schedule. Even a team that hasn’t won a game, like Lakeview, can rise up and steal our dreams.
“I made a commitment after we won state last year to get back and win it again. You can be part of a historic run in Lincoln High’s football annals by winning three straight. What you have to realize is that no one is going to just hand it to us. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of people who will actively try to take that dream from us, if we give them half a chance.
“Over the weekend, I’ve had time to reflect on what happened last week and what we must do to never let that happen again. I understand my role in all this. But even though I’m the captain, if I have a bad week, it can’t affect how you prepare for or play in a game. You can’t use me as an excuse to half-ass it and take it easy. You have all spent too much time lifting weights, running, honing your skills to let that happen. I know that you’ve worked hard physically to prepare for this year. What I need you to do is to get your heads out of your butts and get back on board mentally,” I said, heating up.
Wolf started to jump in before I said something that I would regret, but I stopped him with a look.
“I guess what I’m saying is we have to make some changes around here. Looking back, I realize I’ve failed you as a leader. I’ve made you too dependent on me setting the tone. This team can’t be all about any one player, and that includes me. I need you to start to step up.
“I especially need underclassmen to start to act like leaders and not followers. My long-term goal is that after I leave, you all continue to win the conference and hopefully state championships. Yuri, Rock, Phil, and all the rest of you who are underclassmen, that simply will not happen. Not unless you take responsibility for setting and working to your own standards of excellence. That means your standards, your work, your discipline.
“My dad told me something once that seems to apply here. It’s ten simple words that I try to live by. They are: If it is to be, it is up to me. I know that football is a team sport, but it starts inside with each of you. That simple phrase gives me the courage to not sit back and let others dictate my success. It’s up to me to seize the day and make things happen. I challenge all of you to start living with that simple phrase in mind. Not only in football, but in life.
“If it is to be, it is up to me. For me, that sums up last week in a nutshell. We all failed last week. Most of that was on me, but moving forward, it will never happen again because you no longer have me to blame. Like I said, you need to set your own standards for excellence. You need to take responsibility for how you’re playing.
“You also need to be a good teammate and point out to each other if someone isn’t true to themselves. We all have off days and need to be reminded of what’s important. I look at last week’s game as a wake-up call. We all know what almost happened. If it weren’t for Ed’s heroics, we would have lost that game.
“I personally will not let that happen again. What I want you all to do is make a similar commitment to yourselves and your teammates. Are you with me on this?” I asked.
“Yes, sir,” most of them responded.
I paused and gave them a look.
“Trying to mumble or nod your way through is simply not going to cut it, guys. If you’re not in this to win it, walk away and look for some other way to occupy your time.
“Let’s try this one more time. Are you with me on this?”
“Yes, sir!”
Thank God. Finally, a collective shout.
“This week’s game is a big one. Eastside has been a thorn in my side since I got here. Personally, I want to beat them like a drum. I want to be able to tell my grandkids about the epic beatdown we’re going to give them. I want to get the taste of last week out of my mouth. If it is to be, it is up to me! Do your job the best you can do, and we will roll over them. I can’t wait to go to Eastside and show them what Lincoln High is capable of.
“No more taking plays off, no more distractions, no more simply expecting to win. Starting today, we recommit ourselves to winning state. Today, we take personal responsibility. Today, we become what we have dreamed of. It all starts today. Now, go get ready for practice,” I said to dismiss them.
I could see they had a fire in their eyes as they moved off. They now had a look of quiet determination to them, which was exactly what I wanted. Wolf and Tim were giving me funny looks.
“What?”
“If that doesn’t work, they’ll never get their heads out of their butts. I bet they would run through walls for you after that,” Wolf said.
“Too much?” I asked.
“Hell, no! That was precisely what they needed,” Tim said emphatically.
Wolf nudged me, and his chin pointed to the side. The coaching staff was huddled up. It seemed they’d snuck in to hear what I had to say to the team. I just shrugged and got dressed for practice.
◊◊◊
Instead of looking at last week’s film, the coaches decided to run a regular practice. The coaches seemed to be as fired-up as we were.
“What was that!?!” Coach Mason screamed.
I’d thrown a fade to Roc, and he’d dropped the ball.
“That was my fault, Coach. I hit him in the hands. Next time I’ll stick it in his face mask so it might get stuck for the completion,” I said.
Sweetness and light were not what these guys needed now.
“This I have to see. Run it again,” Coach Mason barked.
Roc had dropped several passes in the last game. This time I ripped it, and he got his hands up out of self-protection. I was surprised when he caught the ball.
“Is he going to have to tear your head off for you to catch it?” Coach Mason asked Roc.
“No, sir. I’ll catch it,” Roc glared back, finally showing some backbone.
“Run it again.”
We ran it until Roc got his confidence back and began to catch the ball like we all knew he could. I was glad to see it wasn’t just me who’d had problems last week.
◊◊◊
I was sitting in one of the conference rooms watching film with Coach Mason when Jeff Delahey walked in without his cameraman.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. The show will air on SportsTV starting this week.”
“Are you starting with football, or are you covering the baseball stuff?” I asked.
“We’re starting with the Michigan camp. I took out all the unnecessary stuff with the sign-in. It was a bush-league move to create drama where there shouldn’t have been any.”
“Thanks, Jeff. I was afraid that once they got their hands on it, we might not be happy.”
“I think you’ll like it. My bosses love it. They’re pushing for me to follow you around once you get to college.”
“Bite me,” I said and laughed.
“I told them you wouldn’t go for it.”
“The NCAA is already looking to find something on me. I don’t need you to give them anything.”
“No problem. Oh, and I wanted to thank you for letting us film your talk with the team. It added something that was missing from the documentary.”
I turned to Coach Mason.
“He likes to call it a documentary. I think he needs to call it what it is: reality TV.”
Jeff had heard it before and just let Coach Mason and me work on this week’s opponent.
◊◊◊