The Co-op’s football team is starting the season off right.
University Academy and Ewing Marion Kauffman School have had a co-op football team for three years, with head coach Andrew Blakemore leading the way. The rest of the coaching staff includes assistant coaches Jerry McNeal, Micah Daniels, Ian Wilson, Isaiah Daniels, Zak Madelen, Robert Henderson and Jimmie Ross.
The captains on the team this year include senior Keaton Davis and juniors Julian Wilson and Cameron McFarlin from UA, and seniors Caleb Barber and Xavier Randall from Kauffman.
Coach Blakemore said the team has a really great schedule, and he’s excited to see how the schedule plays out.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we stack up against the other schools in our conference and being battle-tested as we approach the playoffs,” he said.
This seems like a good thing to be looking forward to. The Gryphons are currently 3-2 after playing Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, KIPP: Endeavor Academy, Northeast High School, St. Joseph Benton High School and Pembroke Hill. UA started the season with a 6-0 win against Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. Then, the Gryphons suffered an 8-12 loss against KIPP: Endeavor Academy. Next, the team bounced back with a 60-12 win against Northeast High School. Then, the team had a 16-0 win against Benton High School for Homecoming. Last Saturday, the team faced off Pembroke Hill and lost, 22-28.
Sometimes it’s hard to be a student-athlete because being a student comes before being an athlete, and grades are more important than anything else. Even still, junior captain Julian Wilson’s head is always wrapped around football.
“It’s actually pretty hard because some days when I stay after practice a little while longer and then go home, I’m exhausted and don’t want to do anything else,” he said.
A lot of people who play sports play because they love the sport, including Wilson, who has been playing football since third grade and said that he just loves the game.
He also said, “Football is now or never for me, and I feel like it’s the only thing I know. I have never thought about anything after football because it’s all I think about.”
To have a strong football team like the one UA seems to have this year, the team’s bond has to be really powerful.
“Many of the players have bought into our three pillars: be meticulous, be positive, be together. As we continue to latch onto those ideas, we continue to grow,” Coach Blakemore said.
If the coach can see the players are close and the captains can see it too, then the bond must be really strong, which can only be a good thing for The Co-op. The Gryphons will be competing next at Summit Christian Academy tomorrow at 7 p.m.