MacArthur football team looks to repeat as champions for a third time

Attempting to defend their championship again, the MacArthur football team is hand-selected by Coach Mr. Terry Young to succeed on October 15 at the SAUSD Intermediate School Tournament.

“Responsibility, teamwork and good grades make up an un-defeatable team,” said eighth-grader Arthur Prado, describing MacArthur’s football team for the 2016 season.

Coach Mr. Terry Young, who also teaches physical education, coaches the football team with the help of Math Teacher Mr. Jim Axton.  The football team will attempt to defend its two-time championship against the other Santa Ana intermediate school teams on October 15 at Saddleback High School.  

The first task of a coach is to determine who will make the team.  Young looks to find players with football experience, good attitude, and the willingness to try.  

As for qualities that make up a team, Young focuses on the ability to play, willingness to learn, and being good team player.  “Communication is not only a good skill to have in a sport but it’s an important skill to have in life” said Young, referring to successful team qualities.  

According to Young, tryouts were an exhausting part of making the team.  During tryouts the players work on offense, defence and other things that need improvement.  Other teams will like to win as well and will be competitive to reach that goal.  By working hard, MacArthur’s football team will try to continue the three peat winning streak.

Defending their championship helps to motivate the players.  “I want to succeed in athletics,” said Arthur.  Arthur gets motivated to play because there were other players trying out for the same position as him, but he won a position on the team.  “I’m dope!” said Arthur.

Another player, eighth-grader Nathan Tagaloa, also secured a roster spot.  Nathan plays tackle football outside of school and knows those skills helped him out in making the team.  “I wanted to be involved in a school sport” said Nathan.  He considers skills, effort and good sportsmanship the main traits into accomplishing an successful team.

As for younger students who did not make the team, Language Arts Teacher Mrs. Melissa Miller helped organize those students who were cut.  They had several organized practices alongside the actual team.