As we enter a new school year at Desert Christian Academy excitement fills the air. There are so many changes around campus that will influence the students of DCA’s life in the best way possible. And when school begins so do sports!

Aidan Scott: #15

What position do you play?

I am a kicker, punter, receiver, cornerback

What were your thoughts on going to eleven man this year?

We weren’t sure we if we were going to do great but we’re doing okay

Did coach say something to you that helped you make the decision you made?

Fulton told me to beat the guy I was against

How did it feel to outrun your guard?

It felt great!

Mr. Fulton

How do you think we’re doing as an eleven man team?

We’re doing good, we’re still learning but we can only get better

What are your hopes for this year?

For our guys to have fun

How do you think Aidan did with his play?

He did great.

Timeout was when I asked him if he was better than his opponents and he said yes, and I said to tell Gordon to give him the ball and give him the chance to do something

Are there any other things that you want to add about this year?

I’m glad to see the players play and how they can see that it’s not so scary and it’s a great thing to be apart of

Do you think that having an eleven man team is changing the way that we play

Definitely

Because all the newness

It’s still just football

Rising to meet that

Aaron Klopfenstein: #86

How does it feel to be a freshman in an eleven man team?

I was at first nervous but as we started practicing I started to get confident as the season went on.

What position(s) do you play?

Tight End and Safety

Did you play football in Middle School?

No

What are your hopes and goals as a player and team for this year?

I hope that we make it far, and to prove anyone wrong that doubted us; thinking we would be the worst. And to be starting position.

Timmy Nixon: #10

What were your thoughts about having an eleven man team this year?

Um… I thought it was cool

What position(s) do you play?

Tight end and safety

How does being on an eleven man team in your senior year change how you see the sport?

It doesn’t really change I, it’s still football and we’re still out there to play

What are your hopes and goals as a player and team for this year?

To do my best and that the team does their best

Nate Young: #5

What were your thoughts about eleven man this year?

I really didn’t have any since it was my first time playing

What position(s) do you play?

Quarterback

How does it feel to be a quarterback for an eleven man team?

It’s different from playing 8-man in MS

What are your hopes and goals as a player and team for this year?

To lead the team to victory and to build the program for future players.

Mr. Gordon: coach

How do you think were doing as an eleven man team?

“When you look at our record, which always doesn’t speak of how great we are. Record wise, we’re 3-0, the first game was a God victory. In the sense of we lost the game but God gave us the victory on that, so our record is looking good. Coming into the football season there were a lot of fears from families from the football players and our school as a whole when it came to playing 11 man football. Our football players have really overcome our fears by seeing their work and success. I think we’re doing great and we also have other kids added to the football season.”

What are your hopes for this year?

“To change the culture within our football program and sport program as a whole. Take upon the physical emotional and spiritual challenges of it and be successful on the football field.

Is there anything you want to add about this year?

One thing that would tie in with our theme verse for the year, “Arise and Build” part of that is building that culture is that we are willing to face those changes that we are faced with. That we would trust The Lord through that process, that we would pray and study in the word, and walk in obedience. The game of football there are so many life lessons in the game of football, that are transferred to life, in that we must ‘Arise and Build”. Whatever it costs, and whatever it takes, they would just be willing to lay it all out so really just the key thing is “Arise and Build”.

Do you think having an eleven man team is changing how we act as a team?

Going from an 8 man to an 11 man team naturally there are some fears that come about with that we run away from our fears instead of facing them. So we’ve been able to see our players actually embrace the fact of just trusting the Lord to bring them through these hard times.