This year’s Mayfield Middle School football team has implemented many changes, ranging from new players to new jerseys.

One of the key changes the coaches made over the summer was the change of play names. This was to ensure that the other teams did not know what the previous plays were and could not defend against our offense. The coaches picked random names for plays that nobody would be able to guess.

After winning the season’s first scrimmage over Madison, Coach Stephens said that the key to winning was “execution.” A simple response from a very bold coach. Speaking of being bold, when Coach Stephens was asked which NFL team he would like to coach, he responded, “Browns…I could do a better job than the last couple of coaches.”

Despite all the changes this year, one factor that stayed the same was the team strategy. Coach Stephens said that this year’s strategy will not change: “First priority is and will always be to establish control of the line of scrimmage with physical play and superior technique and effort.  Then, be smart with the football and play tough and fast on defense.”

Although there have been many changes throughout the off season, Coach Stephens only focuses on one key statement: “Football bonds young men and teaches them to rely on each other; at its best, that is the lesson they all take away.”