Varsity football is a big deal at WHS; it’s full of great players with advanced talent. When people think of varsity, they think upper class men such as juniors and seniors. Although that is what most people think, some sophomores are lucky enough to make the team. It takes dedication and time to make the cut.

I had the privilege to interview a couple sophomores at the varsity level this season. I also spoke with a senior to get balanced input on whether there is a positive or negative mindset with having lower class men on the team.

Coyotes’ first home game of the 2017/2018 season. Photo credit: Elizabeth Leko

To start, I talked to sophomore varsity teammate Jeremiah MacSteves:

Q: How do you feel knowing you made the varsity team?

A: It’s a great accomplishment for a sophomore. 

Q: Are you nervous to play with varsity? Why?

A: Yes, a little. They’re bigger, better guys.

Q: How much work did you have to put in to get on the team?

A: A couple of us would go to the field in the summer time and put in that work, so I guess I put in a lot.

Q: Do you get along with all of your teammates?

A: Yes.

Q: Are the coaches harder on you because you are just a sophomore?

A: Yes I guess, because we are on a lower level and we have to push ourselves to get to the top of the game.

Q: Are your practices intense? How?

A: Yes, because it’s kind of like bigger boys and bigger things. It’s a new level.

Q: How many hours a week do you dedicate to football?

A: 3 to 4 hours every day, including weekends sometimes.

Q: Do you get less playing time because you are a sophomore?

A: No, because I’m pretty good, I have to say.

The next sophomore I talked to was Jeffrey Ostman:

Q: How do you feel knowing you made the varsity team?

A: It’s a great achievement because I’m only a sophomore.

Q: Are you nervous to play with varsity? Why?

A: Yes, because they have big boys.

Q: How much work did you have to put in to get on the team?

A: A lot of work and a lot of time after practice.

Q: Do you get along with all of your teammates?

A: Most of them, yes.

Q: Are the coaches harder on you because you are just a sophomore?

A: Yes because I’m related to the coaches. Andy (Mr. Mock) is my uncle.

Q: Are your practices for intense now? How?

A: Yes, we practice more than JV does.

Q: How many hours a week do you dedicate to football?

A: Probably about 18 hours a week.

Q: Do you get less playing time because you are a sophomore?

A: Yes, but it’s ok because I’m only a sophomore.

For the senior take, I talked to Chase Engen about how he felt having sophomores on the team:

Q: How do you feel about having sophomores on your team?

A: I think it’s worth it. We definitely need them to help out during practice to run our scouts. A few of them are actually pretty good, like Denver Sheets and Camden Miller;  they help the team out a lot.

Q: How do you feel the sophomores will be an asset to the team?

A: Basically the same thing, they help us out a lot. They step up if an older guy ever gets hurt.

Q: Do you get along with the sophomores?

A: Yes. I have a little brother that is the same age as most of them, so I see them all the time.

Q: Do you feel that the sophomores deserve the same amount of playing as you seniors? Why?

A: It all depends on their skill level. I mean, there are already some sophomores that have starting positions over the older guys, and I’m fine with it because you have to put the best guys out on the field.

Q: What would your ideal way to end the season be?

A: I want to make playoffs really bad. Last year we were one game away from going to the playoffs, and then two years before that we only had a one win for the season.  I just want to get to the playoffs, get Williston out of this losing streak we’re in.

Q: How has your football experience helped you with your future plans?

A: I think it’s affected me by the college I want to go to. I’m looking into going to Wahpeton and playing for their team.

Q: What’s your biggest motivation to achieve great things in football?

A: Just to change the community mindset that Williston can actually win again and have a good team, to stop this losing tradition. There’s disrespect in the west and WDA because everyone that plays us just expects to win because Williston hasn’t really been good at any sport for a long time. There are a few exceptions though.

Q: How do you and your team mates bond and get to know each other?

A: A couple of guys have been going out to lunch, literally right in the parking lot. They just grill out with burgers and hot dogs. During two days we would go to B’Dubs after practice and just hang out and talk –not about football –so that’s always nice. When we have two days, it’s four hours of football every day, so it’s nice to talk about other stuff.