Much has transpired in the football program since the team’s heartbreaking loss to Rowlett in the first round of the playoffs last season. A new offseason program has been instituted. A new head coach has been named. The old locker rooms were knocked down, and construction for better facilities has already begun. With a new offseason come new chances, new leaders, new players, and new plans of attack.
The old weekly offseason workouts that the Rangers used to do now seem like nothing compared to the running, conditioning, and lifting that goes on every day. The team meets to run and condition at 7:30 AM every morning except for Friday, and occasionally if enough hard work was put in Monday through Wednesday, the team is treated to a competition day or to flag football, a team favorite. In addition to running, the team lifts three times a week. During the offseason, a Powerlifting team was gathered to compete in the Little Elm and HP lifting meets. The Little Elm meet was cancelled during the snow week, but the Highland Park meet was a good experience for players. The team was also rewarded for their hard work with a trip to Nike Victory in downtown. Players worked on building teamwork while also having a little fun, designing cleats, uniforms, and special custom Nike BOOM shirts for Jesuit.
If you haven’t heard by now, the beloved Coach Bob Wunderlick stepped down after 14 years of hard work and commitment to his head coaching job. He will remain on staff as a coach and teacher. Earlier in March, Coach Brandon Hickman was named the new head coach, and so far, the team loves his attitude and has met all of his expectations. Addressing the Jesuit Community after he accepted the job, he said, “I am especially pleased to have this opportunity to build upon the strong foundation at Jesuit Dallas, where the strong community and work ethic of the players are evident. I appreciate the unity of the coaches, faculty, staff and parents behind the mission of the school, which is the formation of men for others. My family and I feel blessed to be part of this community.” Coach Hickman has easily transitioned into the head coaching job, and he set goals for the team almost immediately.
Spring football is about to start, but, because of construction, the team has to use the locker rooms near the concession stands in the stadium. So far the lockers seem to be moving upward quickly, and while the team hopes to have them ready for the first game of the season, the players are quick to recall the prolonged stadium rebuilding last season. At least your Jesuit Rangers of 2011 won’t be known as “The Road Warriors.”
Most importantly, with a new impending season, the most pivotal and crucial thing about the transition is who steps up as a leader for the team. Two weeks ago, the juniors, preparing to take their leadership roles as seniors, ate at Mr. Gatti’s for dinner on Thursday with the coaching staff and decided on the team motto, “Seize the Moment.” Senior Defensive Lineman Hayden Williams, one of the early leaders for this year’s squad, remarked, “For some of us [seniors], this is probably the last year we’ll ever play football.” The team is planning to take every chance it has to be something great, and it will play every game next season to the best of its ability.
With that, all this is easier said than done. All the working out and commitment players have put in since November can’t really be put into one article. However, to sum it all up: Spring Ball, here come the Jesuit Rangers.
