The 2013 varsity football team started the season off slow when they lost to Dr. Phillips, but have since won two games, beating East River and Boone High School. They had their bye week before their big game against Olympia High School, Sept. 29.
Last season, the Wolves lost their Homecoming game to rival University High School and faced much criticism. It was the 2012 team’s only regular season loss. It was a big disappointment for Wolves fans and players. “Losing felt terrible; especially now looking back and seeing it was our only loss,” said senior quarterback Cuyler “Stuckey” Mosley.
The football team knew just how much the Homecoming game meant to the student body. “We feel like we have to win this game; especially after losing to University last season,” said senior Jake Smiley.
The must-win attitude that the team had throughout the week certainly showed Friday night when they won 46-35 over Olympia. The Wolves’ rushing attack was seemingly unstoppable. As a team, they ran the ball 43 times and had 474 yards and six touchdowns. Junior Jacques Patrick led all rushers with 432 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries. That means Patrick was ripping off runs at an average of 12 yards per carry.
“Jacques makes my job as quarterback so much easier,” said Mosley regarding Patrick. “The defense is constantly worrying about him. Sometimes they forget about our talented wide receivers and a big play will open up,” Mosley added.
With Olympia’s defense trying to zero in on Patrick, the Wolves’ passing attack did just that. Mosley completed five passes for 114 yards, including a 56 yard touchdown pass to senior wide reciever Javonte Seabury.
Although the fans seem satisfied, the team is still hungry for more success. “I think we played well, but there’s always some things that we can work on. We are getting better every week, and that’s what’s important,” said Junior cornerback Matt Henderson.
The Wolves look well on their way to another great football season. After beating Olympia, they’re 3-1 and start district play Oct. 4 against Winter Park High School. Then they have three grueling road games at Edgewater, University, and Hagerty.
Those three games are going to be tough, but the Wolves are on a three game winning streak. If star running back Jacques Patrick and the rest of the offense continue to put up record setting numbers, they are going to be very difficult to beat.