The 2024 season for the Pahrump Valley High School Varsity Football team has been a very memorable one. The team has put in so much hard work and shown a great deal of dedication. Looking deeper into the mindset behind these coaches and players allows one to easily see why this team has been so successful.
Mike Colucci, a football coach at PVHS for the last 13 years, preaches that it is very important to build confidence and play at 100% at all times; there is no room for players to have self-doubt. “Our mindset before a game is to just be prepared and know that we’ve put the work in. Be confident in ourselves. We’re not here to just compete with other teams, we’re here to win”, states Colucci.
Ensuring maximum effort for each game can be stimulating, for being physically ready for the sport is not easy. “Trying to prepare and motivate kids to be physically and mentally tough can come as a challenge. Football is a collision sport and the kids have to be trained and ready to go through hard contact where their bodies are on the line,” Colucci shares.
The team constantly works to ensure they are prepared for whatever may come. Over the past few years, they have noticed weaknesses and are actively changing things in order to improve.
“This season is probably one of the best that we’ve had in a long time. We’ve done a lot better on offense thanks to our offensive coordinator, Toby Henry,” shares varsity captain, Ethen Hutchinson. Being able to recognize weakness is a captivating quality in which the Trojans have acquired. In doing so, they have been able to completely transform their game.
The growth shown on the field starts from the connection these members make off the field. Spending this much time together creates extremely valuable bonds that last a lifetime. Having these alliances allows the members to learn to play together much more seamlessly.
“I love how football is a team sport, you need the whole team in order to win. We’re one big family”, Hutchinson expresses.
Playing together as a family enables these competitors to support and uplift each other. The environment that they surround themselves with brings the team momentum and uniqueness that not many teams are able to experience.
“As a team, we’re always there to support each other. We have our ups and downs but for the most part, we’ve got each other’s backs. We all go on a rise together. If one of us goes down, we all go down. We’re always there to lift each other up and back each other”, varsity player Benjamin De Santiago comments.
The relentless dedication and teamwork displayed by the Trojans has set a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance. It is clear that their success is built on a foundation of hard work, commitment, and resilience. Each member contributes an effort beyond individual talent, showcasing the spirit and meaning behind teamwork.
Their journey is far from over, and as they continue to face and overcome new challenges, their story serves as an inspiration to those around them. As their peers watch them strive to push boundaries and break records, it is a powerful reminder that with passion and effort, anything is achievable.
