St. John XXIII, is preparing for a return to the gridiron for the fall season.

The team is trying to bounce back and have a better season after going 1-7 overall and 1-5 in district (TAPPS Division I, District 2). Their last playoff appearance was in 2018 at the TAPPS Division V State Champions. The team has lost 11 players to graduation this year and has 22 players returning that were on varsity last year. There are also 7 offensive starters returning and 8 defensive starters returning.

     The team returns experience on both sides of the ball. Richardson said that having this experience helps the players prepare for more on the field. He said they have also had the chance to refine their skills and improve. The players are excited for the chance to have a full season to continually get better.

     Defensively, a lot of the previous team members are returning. Richardson said this will play to their advantage because they have prior experience on the field and know what to expect. 

     Going through the spring and summer strength and conditioning, Richardson said that the team is looking very good. The team is working hard and that they have risen significantly since last year.

      “We’ve been doing it for a while,” Richardson said, “but now it’s starting to show the fruits of our labor.”

      In order to take the next step to reach the playoffs, Richardson said he would like the team numbers to be a bit bigger and better. He said that although that change won’t happen overnight, the team’s growth and determination will impact future seasons.

    “They have to believe in themselves, they have to believe in their teammates, they have to believe in their coaches, and they have to believe in everything,” Richardson said.

     Richardson said the team is getting ready for practice again. The first week, the team played with helmets, and then with pads. Richardson said they are currently installing their offensive and defensive plans. Richardson said he is also focusing on the individuals and is focusing on improving individuals strengths and minimizing their weaknesses.

   Richardson said there is also a lot of potential in many of the returning team members and some newcomers as well. Three of the seniors have been named captains, and Richardson said that although it is not necessary to be a senior to be a captain, these three have shown leadership qualities and are key players on the field. The captains are Jackson McGaha, who has also been the team MVP for the past two years, Ethan Mills who is a four year starter, and then offensive and middle linebacker, Julian Urrego. Richardson said that there are also other returning members with good leadership qualities, such as quarterback Carter Suire, who started last year. Richardson said that all these members and others are improving the team’s playing ability and that some of the seniors are already being scouted by colleges.

    Richardson said the goal of the team is to have successes on the field. He said the team will take the matches one day at a time. Richardson said that the team has had many successes before, and earlier when the team was in a lower division, they had an outstanding year followed by a good year. Richardson said that they want to improve on last year after losing a few players and are working their hardest to reach the playoffs.

“We want kids that have the will to prepare to win,” Richardson said, “that are willing to put the work in when no one is looking and do what it takes to be a success.”