Football Feature: East Clinton Astros
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
For three seniors at East Clinton, they've been a part of the highs and lows of a football program the past three seasons, and as they begin their final year of play on the gridiron, they are experiencing change.
The change is a new coach, a new system and a new philosophy in Astros' football, and for seniors Ben Arnold, Dalton Floyd and Chase Finley, they want to help the program get back to its way of winning this season and beyond.
"I want to come together as a team and play like we're brothers," Arnold said. "I want us to get out there and play. We'll win some, we'll lose some, but I want us to just play as a team."
The Astros are currently in remake mode as they welcome new head coach Bill Hrabak this season, but one thing is staying the same, and that is the starting quarterback, with Floyd beginning his third season under center for the Astros. Floyd will be a four-year varsity player, as he played wide receiver his freshman season.
"Every single game, we just need to give it 110 percent," the QB said. "If we do that, hopefully we'll have success.
"The biggest difference this year, for me, is with a new coach, learning all the new plays and the terminologies. It is a little different than what we're used to, but once we get the hang of it, I think we'll be all right."
With the start of their final season right in front of them, each player took a look back at their start in the game, thinking about why they continue to play.
"I started with flag football with the backing of my dad, and I ended up liking it and have played ever since," Finley said. "Being out there with our friends makes all of the work we put in now worthwhile.
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"Football is the only sport I play. I enjoy playing it, and all the work makes it worth it in the end. The people I play with help make it more fun."
Arnold spoke about leaving the game, but then returning.
"I started playing football in sixth grade," he said. "I wanted to play to let some anger out and hit some people. I enjoy hitting people.
"I got out of it for a little bit, came back in eighth grade and fell in love with it (football) again."
Floyd began playing before players were even allowed to tackle.
"I started with flag, then pee-wee was next and continued from there," Floys said. "I've always loved to play the game and enjoy it. It's what I've always done, and I love every minute of it."
This trio of EC leaders not only just want to go out and play the games, but they want to get every ounce of enjoyment, excitement and success they can in their final year, something which can't go unnoticed.
"I want to win games and play up to our abilities," Finley said.
"The main thing for me is on Friday nights, seeing the lights and all the people there … makes it all worth it," Floyd said of all the work this summer. "Busting your butt (during) two-a-days makes it all worth it when you are out there with all your friends.
"Football is important because you get to go out there with your buddies and just have fun."
Arnold, who scored his first varsity touchdown against Waynesville last season, spoke candidly about the game and what it means to him.
"When it comes to game time and you haven't done all your conditioning, it could be 100 times worse on you as a player," he said. "You can't win games without being in condition.
"Coming out here, working with the team, it is like a family, getting close with my classmates and working together."
The change is a new coach, a new system and a new philosophy in Astros' football, and for seniors Ben Arnold, Dalton Floyd and Chase Finley, they want to help the program get back to its way of winning this season and beyond.
"I want to come together as a team and play like we're brothers," Arnold said. "I want us to get out there and play. We'll win some, we'll lose some, but I want us to just play as a team."
The Astros are currently in remake mode as they welcome new head coach Bill Hrabak this season, but one thing is staying the same, and that is the starting quarterback, with Floyd beginning his third season under center for the Astros. Floyd will be a four-year varsity player, as he played wide receiver his freshman season.
"Every single game, we just need to give it 110 percent," the QB said. "If we do that, hopefully we'll have success.
"The biggest difference this year, for me, is with a new coach, learning all the new plays and the terminologies. It is a little different than what we're used to, but once we get the hang of it, I think we'll be all right."
With the start of their final season right in front of them, each player took a look back at their start in the game, thinking about why they continue to play.
"I started with flag football with the backing of my dad, and I ended up liking it and have played ever since," Finley said. "Being out there with our friends makes all of the work we put in now worthwhile.
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"Football is the only sport I play. I enjoy playing it, and all the work makes it worth it in the end. The people I play with help make it more fun."
Arnold spoke about leaving the game, but then returning.
"I started playing football in sixth grade," he said. "I wanted to play to let some anger out and hit some people. I enjoy hitting people.
"I got out of it for a little bit, came back in eighth grade and fell in love with it (football) again."
Floyd began playing before players were even allowed to tackle.
"I started with flag, then pee-wee was next and continued from there," Floys said. "I've always loved to play the game and enjoy it. It's what I've always done, and I love every minute of it."
This trio of EC leaders not only just want to go out and play the games, but they want to get every ounce of enjoyment, excitement and success they can in their final year, something which can't go unnoticed.
"I want to win games and play up to our abilities," Finley said.
"The main thing for me is on Friday nights, seeing the lights and all the people there … makes it all worth it," Floyd said of all the work this summer. "Busting your butt (during) two-a-days makes it all worth it when you are out there with all your friends.
"Football is important because you get to go out there with your buddies and just have fun."
Arnold, who scored his first varsity touchdown against Waynesville last season, spoke candidly about the game and what it means to him.
"When it comes to game time and you haven't done all your conditioning, it could be 100 times worse on you as a player," he said. "You can't win games without being in condition.
"Coming out here, working with the team, it is like a family, getting close with my classmates and working together."