Family is in the works this year for the GRC Cardinals as the team is growing with second year coach Dr. Oliver Lucas.

“I believe our team will finish out pretty well this year because we are more of a family this year than we have been in the past,” said senior Keaton Aldridge.

Players say the best part of this team is the family aspect.

“I love being around teammates and friends,” says JV captain Emery Swartz. “There is a great connection with the team this year.” 

Just like any great team, these boys know what it takes to make a team a family with bonding on and off the field.

Not only are they growing as a family, but they are growing in how they work too. Players have even been putting in work outside of practice by participating in Crossfit training and meeting together for extra team practice.

“The team has been practicing five days a week,” says junior Chase Taulbee. “The offensive line and the quarterback have been meeting at Ben Jackson’s house to go over film and talk about how we can do better on Friday.”

This season, the team is also setting goals to help ensure they come out on top.

“I really want to see us win district,” says senior Ben Jackson. “That’s something our team hasn’t done in a while, and that is something our team can accomplish.”

Goals like this are going to be easier to accomplish if the team continues to build as a family.

Whether it is on or off the field, these players have been working hard to grow in their talent and in their family. Win or lose, they’ve built a brotherhood that can’t be broken.

“To grow a team as a family, it starts with the coaching staff,” said sophomore Trace Mitchell. “They talk to us every day and pump us up with positivity. It unifies us.”