Returning to the field after a heartbreaking loss in the state semifinals and graduating twelve seniors is difficult to do. This year, however, Yutan’s football players are hoping their team chemistry brings a better ending to their season.  

“We only have three returning starters, so we have a very new team. But everyone out there really wants to play football,” senior running back Max Egr said. “Nobody is scared out there, and I’m excited to see what our team can do.” 

With so many new starters, head coach Dan Krajicek notes that the team’s chemistry will be a huge factor in their success this season. 

“So many of [the starters] haven’t played full varsity games. That will be different for them. They have had a lot of success in JV the past few years, but they all have great chemistry,” Krajicek said. “We’ve had teams that haven’t had that with what might seem like a lot of talent, but if they don’t have [chemistry], then they’re not going to be as good as they could be.” 

Although the team has good chemistry, the inexperience at the varsity level is going to require some of the upperclassmen to take on new leadership roles. 

“It’s going to be difficult to fill in what we lost from last year, but as long as guys step up and leaders become leaders, I think we’ll win a lot of games,” junior tight end and defensive tackle Owen Sutter said. 

One player who took on a huge role this year is sophomore quarterback Nathan Daniell.

“This year, I’m filling in after losing our two-year starting quarterback. I was also chosen to be a team captain,” Daniell said. “It’s kind of scary because there’s a lot of pressure on me, but as long as I listen to what the coaches say and just play my game, I think I’ll be fine.”

The players can’t improve, though, without putting trust in their coaches. 

“[The coaches] know more than us,” senior receiver and corner Owen Egr said. “Trusting in that process is really going to improve our skills as a team.”

Despite the pressure of filling in spots from last year’s graduates, the team is focusing on accuracy and the number of reps they’re getting during practice in hopes of improving.

“It’s the small things. Taking the right first step, getting your hands in the right spot, getting your eyes in the right spot. It just takes reps,” Krajicek said. “As long as they want to get better, they’re usually going to get better. 

While all the players improve their skills in hopes of becoming successful this season, the seniors plan to enjoy their last high school football season with their teammates. 

“The stuff we do on the field is awesome, but the events and team things we do off the field like going out to eat as a team and hanging out are the memories that are unforgettable,” senior tight end and defensive end AJ Arensberg said. “It just makes the season better.”