By Teirra Andrisse, Dijion Walls, Takhila Rice, and Tymmesha Cooper
Hazelwood East Spartans play Francis Howell North Knights at home for first round of playoffs on 21 October, 2017. The team is very confident going into this time of the season. Excited yet focused to reach the long-term goal … state.
Senior, Jalen Portis (15) says “Of course, I can’t wait to play in the playoffs.” Another senior, Shaun Browder (7) says “I know we have the first round, but second round takes more practice. But I believe we can win this year. We got this!.”
Coach, Sterling Finney Jr., has also expressed his feelings about his team and how far they can make it. He is just as sure as the players that East’s football team could go far if the boys “Go into the playoffs with a mindset that nobody can get in our way from where we are trying to go.”
“I feel like we can make it all the way but the players have to believe they can make it to State. The coaches are going to do everything we can to get the players prepared for every game. This all starts in practice. Get better and work as hard as you can to make sure this will not be last game. How you practice is how you play, the coaches can’t believe more than the players, the players have to believe they can make it as far as they can get and that’s state!.”
Senior, Christopher Jones (51) is also expectant about playoffs. Saying “I feel good about going into the playoffs because we’re playing more like brothers now, all like one team. And were peaking at the right time.”
Hazelwood East went through a lot in their regular season but are making an epic comeback for the playoffs. Coach Finney shared how his players performed against McCluer North Stars last weekend.
“I feel like we had some silly mistakes on both sides of the ball but I feel very confident about my players going into playoffs. The playoffs are wide open for Hazelwood East. We can shock the whole world. I tell the whole team this can be your last game in a Hazelwood East Football Jersey, playing on the East Football field, but most important this can be your last time playing football forever. I feel like my players took that information in and ready to shock the world.”
So what’s next for the Spartans. With all the confidence they have for playoffs, the Spartans can also use that confidence to make it to state. Playing as one team and keeping in mind the goals they all have set for themselves.
“We got a couple players down, but I think God has us. He’s going to guide us and push us through the playoffs,” said Portis. And “Yes, I feel we can go to state when we play as a team. We have the pieces to go to state and we will be a serious contender.” said Jones.
