HS Football Preview: A-C/G-E Knights are set on ending their losing streak

The Knights open their season against Cotter at home on September 2 at 7 PM

Lucas Hensche remembers last year’s seniors falling to the burnout of a 0-9 campaign, he could’ve easily succumbed as well. Instead, he felt a responsibility to his younger teammates.

“There were things [the seniors] could’ve done to try harder,” the Knights fullback/linebacker reflected. “There’s things they could’ve done to do better before the season and they didn’t really try as hard they could’ve, I think. I got 25 other dudes, some look up to me, some I got to work for. I got to work for myself, I got to work for all these other guys, it’s family.”

And the desire to finally break through has proven infectious, second-year coach Brady Neel noting the difference in the offseason workouts.

“It was the best offseason I’ve seen since I started football, Neel noted. “I’ve had more kids in the weight room doing things… All I have to do is text them and that next practice is going to be amazing…”

“We’re practicing a lot harder than last year,” Knights running back/linebacker Kyle Honstad added. “I see a lot more of the guys going in, getting work in.”

With the home opener against Cotter on September 2, the knights start a season-long test to prove their summer adjustments will be for the better.

“I’ve just learned a lot about myself personally on how our practices have been,” Coach Neel continued. “How I’d like to run it, our offseason program and I think it’s really helped… and I think it’ll just push me even more for the upcoming years on how I want to continue and improve even more.”

It’s the bonds of brotherhood that bring this crew of young men to A-C/G-E football and no matter what happens in the weeks ahead, its’ the love of the game that keeps them hungry for sweet success.

“I’m just hoping to change the culture, hopefully, we can build a winning culture around here, “Honstad concluded. “If it’s not this year, hopefully, the underclassmen build it.”

“Having only one win my whole high school career, I got a little fire burning in me,” Hensche affirmed. “I really want a W, bring it home for the fans, the people, my parents, my family out here, all these coaches. We work every day as hard as anybody else does. I think we deserve a W more than anyone.”