KO football is getting ready to tackle a new season and try to push its way into the endzone with a great season.
The KO football team makes up a large part of our community with 37 students on the roster. Though that is a lot of players, Head Coach Brandon Batory is up for the task. “My favorite part is being able to connect with these young kids and young men,” Coach Batory said. “I want to try to be a positive role model in their life.”
The team has spent a lot of time practicing for this new season, and they have been putting in consistent effort. “They put a lot of work in the summer,” senior quarterback Co-captain Nathan Bowes said. “Learning the offense and doing the defense. We got a good group of guys. Everyone’s bought into the program.”
The team feels confident in their many strengths. “To be honest with you, on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, we’re good,” Bowes said. “I think when it comes down to our biggest specialty, I would say it is our offensive threats. We have a lot of guys who can play a bunch of different positions. Plus, we’re fast, so we’ll be able to create a lot of plays for ourselves which should help us out in the long run. Explosive plays help because that’s what wins games at this level of football.”
Despite their preparation, Coach Batory knows there are areas for the team to improve. “It’s just consistency and effort, and with practice, it’s showing up,” Coach Batory said. “The number one value these kids need this year is passion, and showing up doesn’t require talent. It just requires being passionate about connecting with each other about the work in the game.”
The team focuses on being leaders off the field, as well. “We strive to teach these guys to be positive role models in the community on and off the field,” Coach Batory explained. “We try to make sure we’re excellent in the classroom. Make sure were excellent on the fields and everything in between and just kind of set the standard for being good human beings, good people.”
With all these great aspects, the team hopes that they have a bright future ahead of them. “We are a young team from our league standpoint,” said Coach Batory. “We’re probably one of the youngest teams in the league, with seven seniors. Most teams have double digits: 12, 13, 14 seniors.”
The team lost their first game on the road against one of the best teams in New England, Dexter Southfield. It was a competitive, back and forth game, highlighted by an incredible fumble return touchdown by junior running back and cornerback Sandy Cloud. The team then lost to St. Luke’s where a furious comeback came up short. The first win of the season came under the lights in front of the home crowd against Austin Prep. It was a dominant win with a final score of 35-13. KO football is looking to secure victories against their upcoming opponents, Berkshire School and Canterbury.
