Finally Undefeated @ the Grove By: Sarenity Monroe

The 2024 Football season started August 16th at Mountain View High School. When halftime started, Mountain View had taken the lead. Weather got rough, and the teams didn’t play again until twelve in the morning. It was an intense and close game, but in the end, Hillgrove took home the win! Since then, the team has been racking in constant wins. A popular sports page, MaxPreps, even states, “Hillgrove put another one in the bag on Friday to keep their perfect season alive…The result was nothing new for the Hawks, who have now won five matchups by 21 points or more so far this season.”

They have beaten some of their toughest competitors, from Mountain View to Campbell, and this week against one of their biggest rivals, McEachern High School. The boys have been working hard on the field with early morning practices every day since the spring season, undergoing hard coaching, and constant conditioning. One of the players, 10thgrade student, Cody Cowan talks about how their position coaches are a big reason as to why they are succeeding by critiquing, or in other words, “…fixing the little things that I’ve done wrong.” and paying close attention to things the boys may miss.

Considering the Hawks are officially undefeated they have a chance to qualify for the state playoffs! Of course, the boys are ecstatic since they haven’t qualified for playoffs since the year of 2021. Outside of their coaches, the young men feel as though they have come together as not only a team but as a family. A senior player, Gavin Askew, states, “…us being closer, it’s more like a family now. Its not individuals anymore. Its not “me ball”, it’s “we ball”. Everybody playes for each other”. This large family of brothers have been working incredibly hard and taking a loss would, of course, be difficult and, as senior receiver, Cooper Cannon states, “It might kill the morale.” but they are still in high spirits. Even defensive player, Gavin Askew, states, “One loss doesn’t define us.”

As stated previously, the Hillgrove varsity team, went against one of their biggest rivals on Friday, October 18th, McEachern High School. They were confident in each other; they were confident in their team, and they carried each other to victory with a score of 30-23! This team is hardworking, they are challenging, they work together to be the best versions of themselves, for the people that count on them. The fans of these beloved players hope that they continue to excel, on and off the field, and they will be in the stands cheering them on!