Football Feature: Clinton-Massie Falcons
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Being seniors on a team that is the reigning Division IV State champion is no easy feat, but for the captains of the Clinton-Massie Falcons, they are not only ready to accept the challenge of being the leaders, they welcome it, as they described it as an honor.
The four captains selected by the players of Clinton-Massie for '13 are Kelson Gauden, AJ Avery, Austin Florea and Bayle Wolf.
"It means a lot this team would pick me and the three other guys here to lead them, set an example, set them straight and make them better overall athletes and people," Gauden said. "How we play out here shows our character, so we just want to be a part of making our teammates better people in life."
Florea and Avery each spoke about what it means to be a captain.
"It is an honor for me because the other players picked us," Florea said. "I just try to do everything I can do perfectly and just set an example."
"It's an honor that our teammates picked us to be their captains and to lead by example," Avery said.
Wolf continued the sentiment.
"Like all the guys said, it is an honor that our teammates think that much of us," he said. "I speak for all of us in saying ever since we've started playing football, we've tried to be leaders, no matter what grade.
"Sometimes it is a lot of pressure, but I'm kind of used to it since I'm the oldest of four boys, so you always have to be on your best behavior and set the example."
Getting to be a captain has taken a lot of work and effort for the Falcon Four, and for each player, they had a beginning in the game.
"I started in third grade because my dad always played and loved it," Avery said. "He thought I'd love it too, so I tried it out and turned out to love it."
"I began in the fourth grade," Gauden said. "I started because it was kind of a big deal in our school, and everybody else was playing, so what the heck, right?"
Wolf and Florea also spoke about their beginnings in the game.
"I was in the second grade when I first played football, in Xenia," Wolf said. "The reason was because I loved football. I grew up watching football and just being around my family, who are big football people."
"It began in the third grade, because I guess soccer didn't have enough hitting, and I just wanted a more contact sport," Florea said. "I asked around, and everyone else said they were playing, so I said 'why not.'"
With some tough competition on their schedule this season, including Waynesville, Jonathan Alder, Chillicothe and Columbus DeSales, the Falcons are looking forward to the competition and the challenges that await them.
"This season, I'm looking forward to the competition," Gauden said. "We have some really good competition on the schedule, and I can't wait for the playoff run, because that's the best time of the season.
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"You are always on your toes and have to play your best every down. Hopefully, we have a chance to repeat and I have a better season than last year."
"Like Kelson said, I'm looking forward to the competition on our schedule," Avery said. "We have some big games this season. We just want the shot to win another state championship."
Florea spoke about vying for the state title again.
"I want us to make another run at it," he said. "We need to set a good example for all the younger guys, because the seniors last year set a good example for us, so I want to follow that footpath."
Wolf spoke about "no setbacks."
"We don't want any setbacks and improve on last year," Wolf said, who scored five touchdowns in the state final last November. "We don't want to be that class that takes a step back, and obviously we want to repeat and get better as football players and help the younger guys get better also."
Florea agreed with Wolf's comment of not taking a step back this season as he looked back at the success of one season ago.
"I think we all just have a drive to get back. Like Bayle said, we don't want to be the team who takes a step back," Florea said. "All the classes before us have had that mindset, so that's helped us reach up to the state level and helps motivate us this year as well."
The others looked back at last season, while looking forward to the '13 campaign.
"It's an amazing feeling being in Canton and playing for a state championship, having that many people there coming all the way to support us," Gauden said. "We had the whole community behind us and had people who weren't from our community there … I've never seen stands so full. I would love to be there again and take the younger kids there and let them see it and do it again for the community."
See FALCONS, Page 34
"It was an amazing experience," Avery said. "We just want to make it back there and have all the fans there to cheer us on."
Wolf put it all into perspective.
"All the love and support we got from the community and fans was incredible last year," he said. "We know that feeling of winning that state championship. That was our drive to push all during the offseason, especially during these two-a-days. It helped us get over that edge and push ourselves even more."
All of the captains agreed that as good as last season was, they can't look back anymore. It is now time for '13, and with that, the players spoke of their love for the game.
"I do this really for the love of the game," Gauden said. "Sure, I play for others – my family, my community, my team – but I play for the love of the game. Every sprint makes you better. Ever pushup, every rep … one more rep makes you better than the opponent.
"That ultimate feeling of being the best, and having the brotherhood, a family and your team always having your back … that's why I play."
"It was an amazing experience," Avery said. "We just want to make it back there and have all the fans there to cheer us on."
Wolf put it all into perspective.
"All the love and support we got from the community and fans was incredible last year," he said. "We know that feeling of winning that state championship. That was our drive to push all during the offseason, especially during these two-a-days. It helped us get over that edge and push ourselves even more."
All of the captains agreed that as good as last season was, they can't look back anymore. It is now time for '13, and with that, the players spoke of their love for the game.
"I do this really for the love of the game," Gauden said. "Sure, I play for others – my family, my community, my team – but I play for the love of the game. Every sprint makes you better. Ever pushup, every rep … one more rep makes you better than the opponent.
"That ultimate feeling of being the best, and having the brotherhood, a family and your team always having your back … that's why I play."
The four captains selected by the players of Clinton-Massie for '13 are Kelson Gauden, AJ Avery, Austin Florea and Bayle Wolf.
"It means a lot this team would pick me and the three other guys here to lead them, set an example, set them straight and make them better overall athletes and people," Gauden said. "How we play out here shows our character, so we just want to be a part of making our teammates better people in life."
Florea and Avery each spoke about what it means to be a captain.
"It is an honor for me because the other players picked us," Florea said. "I just try to do everything I can do perfectly and just set an example."
"It's an honor that our teammates picked us to be their captains and to lead by example," Avery said.
Wolf continued the sentiment.
"Like all the guys said, it is an honor that our teammates think that much of us," he said. "I speak for all of us in saying ever since we've started playing football, we've tried to be leaders, no matter what grade.
"Sometimes it is a lot of pressure, but I'm kind of used to it since I'm the oldest of four boys, so you always have to be on your best behavior and set the example."
Getting to be a captain has taken a lot of work and effort for the Falcon Four, and for each player, they had a beginning in the game.
"I started in third grade because my dad always played and loved it," Avery said. "He thought I'd love it too, so I tried it out and turned out to love it."
"I began in the fourth grade," Gauden said. "I started because it was kind of a big deal in our school, and everybody else was playing, so what the heck, right?"
Wolf and Florea also spoke about their beginnings in the game.
"I was in the second grade when I first played football, in Xenia," Wolf said. "The reason was because I loved football. I grew up watching football and just being around my family, who are big football people."
"It began in the third grade, because I guess soccer didn't have enough hitting, and I just wanted a more contact sport," Florea said. "I asked around, and everyone else said they were playing, so I said 'why not.'"
With some tough competition on their schedule this season, including Waynesville, Jonathan Alder, Chillicothe and Columbus DeSales, the Falcons are looking forward to the competition and the challenges that await them.
"This season, I'm looking forward to the competition," Gauden said. "We have some really good competition on the schedule, and I can't wait for the playoff run, because that's the best time of the season.
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"You are always on your toes and have to play your best every down. Hopefully, we have a chance to repeat and I have a better season than last year."
"Like Kelson said, I'm looking forward to the competition on our schedule," Avery said. "We have some big games this season. We just want the shot to win another state championship."
Florea spoke about vying for the state title again.
"I want us to make another run at it," he said. "We need to set a good example for all the younger guys, because the seniors last year set a good example for us, so I want to follow that footpath."
Wolf spoke about "no setbacks."
"We don't want any setbacks and improve on last year," Wolf said, who scored five touchdowns in the state final last November. "We don't want to be that class that takes a step back, and obviously we want to repeat and get better as football players and help the younger guys get better also."
Florea agreed with Wolf's comment of not taking a step back this season as he looked back at the success of one season ago.
"I think we all just have a drive to get back. Like Bayle said, we don't want to be the team who takes a step back," Florea said. "All the classes before us have had that mindset, so that's helped us reach up to the state level and helps motivate us this year as well."
The others looked back at last season, while looking forward to the '13 campaign.
"It's an amazing feeling being in Canton and playing for a state championship, having that many people there coming all the way to support us," Gauden said. "We had the whole community behind us and had people who weren't from our community there … I've never seen stands so full. I would love to be there again and take the younger kids there and let them see it and do it again for the community."
See FALCONS, Page 34
"It was an amazing experience," Avery said. "We just want to make it back there and have all the fans there to cheer us on."
Wolf put it all into perspective.
"All the love and support we got from the community and fans was incredible last year," he said. "We know that feeling of winning that state championship. That was our drive to push all during the offseason, especially during these two-a-days. It helped us get over that edge and push ourselves even more."
All of the captains agreed that as good as last season was, they can't look back anymore. It is now time for '13, and with that, the players spoke of their love for the game.
"I do this really for the love of the game," Gauden said. "Sure, I play for others – my family, my community, my team – but I play for the love of the game. Every sprint makes you better. Ever pushup, every rep … one more rep makes you better than the opponent.
"That ultimate feeling of being the best, and having the brotherhood, a family and your team always having your back … that's why I play."
"It was an amazing experience," Avery said. "We just want to make it back there and have all the fans there to cheer us on."
Wolf put it all into perspective.
"All the love and support we got from the community and fans was incredible last year," he said. "We know that feeling of winning that state championship. That was our drive to push all during the offseason, especially during these two-a-days. It helped us get over that edge and push ourselves even more."
All of the captains agreed that as good as last season was, they can't look back anymore. It is now time for '13, and with that, the players spoke of their love for the game.
"I do this really for the love of the game," Gauden said. "Sure, I play for others – my family, my community, my team – but I play for the love of the game. Every sprint makes you better. Ever pushup, every rep … one more rep makes you better than the opponent.
"That ultimate feeling of being the best, and having the brotherhood, a family and your team always having your back … that's why I play."