As the years roll on and athletes pass through Tyrone high, teams are presented with new challenges, goals, and skill sets.  With the loss of several key players from last year’s district championship team, this year is no different.  Overcoming this adversity is what the Tyrone Football Team must do, and plans to do to become successful.

The loss of a senior class that led to a district championship is devastating. Leaders and playmakers are lost. The juniors and seniors stepping in to these roles have no ordinary shoes to fill. This season is moving rapidly and the team is transforming into a brotherhood. The respected seniors are stepping up as team leaders, role models, and even teachers to the younger players.

So far preseason practices and scrimmages have proven to be extremely beneficial to the team. Starting positions were battled for and earned during conditioning camp, three a day practices and the preseason scrimmages. Tyrone’s notorious conditioning program has pushed all of the players to their limits, proving their dedication, attitude and passion for the game.

Now that the Bellwood Game is upon us, the team is narrowing down on a very well thought out game plan. With many papers to study and many hours of film to watch, the preparation for every game is taken very seriously by the coaches and players alike.

All the potential in the world is there for us to have a successful 2015 campaign. We are told repeatedly by our coaches that the season will only be what we make it.  We can either layback and go 6-4, and just pray to make the playoffs. Or, we could go as hard as possible every second that we are on the gridiron and guarantee our success.

As far as game planning our opponent, we have their key players highlighted to ensure no ‘big plays’ are given up in a result of stupid mistakes. The coaches spend a countless hours mapping out the specifics of every offense we face to a science.

Being aware of the offenses we face is the biggest step to being able to stop them. As far as offense goes, every day is another day in the office, countless repetitions; expectations are very high, in effect pushing us to perfection.

As the season continues, the only thing our team can do is improve. Our first game will be a test to see how far our team can push to be on top.

As one of our coaches said, We are not returning anything. We cannot defend any title.  The graduated players are the only people who can defend that district title.

We are a new team. We stand here with new goals, new players and new expectations.