Email: "Stein says commitment and sacrifice keys to success"
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TC head varsity football coach Mike Stein was not critical at the post-season banquet, however, he was brutally honest about what is needed to put the Trojan football program back into a competitive atmosphere.

Stein called for more sacrifice and commitment from both players and parents. “We always start out short-handed,” Stein said. “We simply do not get the numbers out for football like the schools we are playing. Every year it gets more and more competitive. We need to work on our numbers and especially on our off-season conditioning and weight-lifting. At our initial meeting last summer before the summer weight-lifting program started, we had 60 kids present. But, at the end of the program, only 13 turned in their log books. There were 35 participants at the speed camp, which was the lowest number we have ever had.”

Stein called for help from the parents. “We need you to encourage your kids to take part in these activities,” he said. “It is a sacrifice, I know that. We need the kids in the weight room and at speed camp, preparing for the season. That’s how they will take ownership of the team.”

Stein talked about the Trojans 1-8 season. “We knew Centerville, Pella and Grinnell would be tough games,” he said. “We had hoped we could have been more successful with Vinton-Shellsburg and Benton, but we weren’t. We had great effort against Benton, but they made some big plays and we did not.”

“When you’re mid-way through the season and 0-5, it’s hard to keep a mental edge, without any momentum. We had our chances and could have won five games this year instead of one.”

Stein called the win against Knoxville in the final game of the season a great finish. “Hopefully the younger guys can use it as a springboard for next year. I hope the kids will stay active throughout the rest of the year. I encourage them to participate in a sport every season.”

Freshmen Season

Freshman coaches Jay Hoskey and Bryan Anderson guided their team to a 5-2-2 season. “We started a little slow, losing at Vinton, but came home and responded against Benton,” said Hoskey. “Then we got way behind at Grinnell, but fought our way back to almost win.”

The Trojans tied both Pella and Knoxville. “Those were two very solid teams,” Hoskey said. “Knoxville was undefeated for the season when they came to STC for the final game of the season.”

“These kids were easy and fun to coach,” said Hoskey. “They never gave up. They just loved to play the game. I encourage them to keep it up off season and participate in other sports.”

JV Season

“We were the road warriors this year,” said JV coach Roger Blickenderfer. “Six of our eight games were away.” The JV team finished the season 1-7, with their final game cancelled. “We were in most every game,” said Blickenderfer. “Five of our losses were by one touchdown or less. The kids worked hard and dedicated themselves. We know we can get to the next level.”

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