The Zebra coaches have been preaching about rising up since last spring. That message was never more important than it was last week walking into Memorial High stadium. We needed to rise up in the running game, the Zebras rushed for more than 200 yards. The Zebras needed to rise up in the passing game after having 9 drops the week before, this week 0. Also, Braxton Etheridge threw 2 touchdown passes, one to Gage Deckard and the other to Big J-Bump. Lastly Zebras needed to rise up on the defensive side of they ball and give up less points, they gave up 14, and 0 in the first half. Every game for the rest of the season the Zebras need to rise up, and it started last week in the 28-14 win against the Edison Eagles.
Not only did the coaches and players rise up and respond to adversity we had some individuals rise up as well. It started with Seth Bell having a great game shutting down the Edison offense from the D-end spot. Seth has been a leader of the defense for the past few years and really showed last week as he was awarded the HeMan Sword. Then on offense the Zebras were looking for someone to step up and carry the team on their back in the running game. Well the Zebras had to look no further than Micah Teel as he carried the ball over 20 times, for over 200 yards. That earned Teel the offensive player of the week. Tate Hepler was the next award giving and that was the special teams belt. Hepler has won this award twice now and has done so by playing on multiple special teams, and being un-block-able on the kickoff team. Last but not least for the JV player of the week. This award went to Nathan Escobar. Nathan has been playing very well on Monday nights, and does not shy away during the week on getting reps and training to be one of the future stars of the Zebra football team.
What a great week it was for the team and these young men, but the celebration is over as we are just a few days from welcoming Bishop Kelly to Lantow field. Each game from here on out is extremely important for the playoff picture, and we hope to see everyone out rooting on the Zebras on Friday night.