Team Profile
Photos Courtesy of Mariah Cummings and Grace Academy
Q&A with Coach Bob Ateca
Q: How would you characterize this year’s team?
Q: How would you characterize this year’s team?A: We are experienced, with many returning players from last year’s team.
Q: What will be the keys to your success?
A: We will need to make the transition from 11- to eight-man football, so a lot of time will be spent in learning the differences and how we can best place our players in the right positions for success.
Q: Who will be your key leaders on the team?
A: Cooper Knecht (QB/DB), Mason Long (WR/LB), Tyler Parrott (RB/LB), Cole Mason (WR/LB), Caleb Adams (WR/DB), and Bo Swanson (OL/DL).
Q: What are your biggest reasons for optimism?
A: We will be competing for the first time with schools our size.
Q: What will keep you up at night?
A: Learning the game of eight-man football, along with depth, which is always an issue with a small roster.
Q: What can you build on from last year?
A: We won two of our last three games last year and are bringing back a large group of those same players.
Q: Any lessons learned from last year?
A: We have to spend more time on the basics of blocking and tackling.
Q: Will we see anything different this year?
A: We are moving to eight-man football, so everything will be different, including offense, defense, and special teams.
Q: How would you characterize your team’s speed?
A: We will be faster, due to having experienced players and being a year older.
