Pushing through the loss of a coach and season-ending injuries, the bond within the varsity football team had to be stronger than ever.
“The bond between the whole team is special, we’re like a family together,” senior cornerback James McGuire said.
They grew even closer before the season began because on Wednesday, July. 24, the team’s Instagram account announced the passing of coach Floyd Shotwell.
“The loss of coach Shotwell had a big impact on the team. He coached everyone who was on the team this year and greatly impacted our lives. This season was for him,” senior defensive end Vincenzo Romanelli said.
With coach Shotwell on their minds, the team dominated their first two games of the year, with two massive performances from senior running back Bryce Hurley. He started the year off with a five touchdown performance against Oxford and then two more touchdowns against L’anse Creuse the following week.
“It was like watching [Lion’s running back] Jahmyr Gibbs, he’s just an animal,” Romanelli said.
Hurley helped lead the team to a 5-1 record across their next six games but in the final game against Clarkston, the team encountered their second biggest hurdle of the year. Hurley ended up going down with what would end up being a season-ending ACL injury.
“My immediate thoughts were just getting back on the field to help my teammates win that game,” Hurley said. “Just trying to keep positive thoughts of it being nothing serious.”
When the team faced adversity, the players stepped up in a big way. In their first playoff game against Romeo, senior linebacker Mason Korn stepped up to fill the hole that Hurley left post-injury. In Hurley’s absence, the team pushed through to win 44-21, with major contributions from Korn at the running back position.
“He’d been waiting so long for an opportunity and I am happy that he got to showcase his skill and talent,” Hurley said.
The season ended on Friday, Nov. 9, when the Eagles lost to their crosstown rival Dakota. While the team fought hard and played well, the injuries and exhaustion had finally set in. Their dreams of a state championship run came to an end.
“I think we could have done more, for sure, but injuries got to us,” Romanelli said.
For many of the seniors that final game was the end of their football careers but it’s certain they will never forget the memories they made this season. The way they pushed through adversity and picked each other up was truly inspiring.
“It’s just so special, because that was it,” Romanelli said. “It was the last time we played football together.”
Editors’ Note: Floyd Shotwell’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. at Wujek Calcaterra & Sons Inc., on Van Dyke 25-mile Rd.
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