Intensity Determines the Outcome

Returning from the prior season losing in the regional final, we remembered how hard it
stung to lose a game that cost a whole season of hard work and grit. Glenwood soccer has not
been to state since 2005 and seeing the potential within players it was certain the journey this
year would be different than last season. Tryouts were held in the middle of August, and while
most players were returning players who knew the foundations of a strong team, there was still
much improvement to be made before they held their heads up high.

Practices started to occur six days a week, and the opportunity for another chance
at the state final was slowly arising. The first practices of the season allowed the team to start
building chemistry with each other and figure out the style of play everyone had. Players were
starting to be assigned positions and practices were rolling smoothly while the first games of the
season were approaching, I was paired up at defense with Landon at center back.

Communication was strong from the past years playing with each other, we built a strong
friendship while protecting our goal from being scored on at all costs. During the first five games
of the season, there were three losses added to the record and a tie, there had to be a change for
the team to strive this season. Yet, there were many internal conflicts. In the midfield Grant
Tretter butted heads when he did not agree on the same idea and would soon become a problem
to the team’s progress if it continued.

Throughout practices, Coach Franke included many players in the drills which allowed
the team to progress together. Coach Franke would also have film days where we would watch highlights of previous games that had been played and talk about where we could improve. All
of this training, while grinding in practice, the team obtained a better level of communication and
rather than listening to arguments we controlled the ball better with all the talking occurring on
the field. The season went on and we put up a battle with every team that crossed our path. The
regular season to end with a record of 14-2-3, onto the postseason and goodbye to Adam Ryherd
who had to get carried off the field after fracturing his Patella during the last game of the regular
season.

Practices only got more serious, and the intensity level was raised to push us to our limits.
There were not many practices left of the season and the amount of time the team would see each
other from now on was in their hands. Regionals came as an easy task for the team, blowing out
both games in regionals–two teams got knocked out of the tournament due to our versatile
forwards in which Carter Downens left foot came in handy. Champaign Central was the first
team Glenwood faced in sectionals, and although coming from Champaign hoping for a win,
they got sent home with a tough 4-1 loss– the practices did pay off.

The Super-Sectional game decides who goes to the sectional final for a spot in the state
final, and Rochester was the last team in our conference that happened to still be in the
tournament. I knew our defense had to be strong coming into the game, I quickly talked to
Landon, Jake, and Cooper to come out strong and keep up the intensity throughout the whole
game. Despite Rochester getting the early lead, they conceded a goal in the late second half and
it was now time to go into overtime. There were 20 minutes left to score a goal for a shot at the
state final, and with five minutes left, Maddox leaped in the air and headed the ball barely
slipping by the goalie’s gloves into goal. The score was now 2-1 Glenwood, one more game until
the state final.

The Sectional Final game was against Triad, and knowing they would be the toughest
opponent, we took the one day of practice we got before the game and made sure we got the
most out of the two hours. We would scrimmage and play game-like scenarios which would
challenge both Carter and the forwards along with Landon and the defense. The game started
while the sun started to set, and the weather felt perfect for a sectional final game with a cool
breeze passing. This game gave us the most trouble the whole season, Brayden Paul was feeling
a sore knee from a previous tackle and Cooper Formea even got a yellow card for talking back to
the referee. We held onto the tie until we got a volley from Brayden into the top right corner
from thirty yards out, everyone was in disbelief; Glenwood Titans are going to state.

The two months of countless practices and sprints have finally paid off, and our first time
going to state since 2005. Although we were at a serious spot in our tournament, players like
Grant Tode still managed to make the most out of our practices and making us smile with his
amazing dance moves while music played during practice. The first state tournament game was
against Grayslake Central, knowing the teams in the state final tournament are from the Chicago
area where they are known to be better schools for soccer, we knew this game was going to be
tough. The first half was scoreless the whole time, both teams were going back and forth up until
the second half where Glenwood scored a goal off a defensive mistake. We were into the State
Final game, a chance to win the state since 2005.

The day of the state final was pouring rain and winds felt like going thirty miles per hour.
Heading into the state final game, many mixed emotions were going around but the wind was not
dying down and neither was the rain. All the hard work the team has put into each other has
come down to a final game and another 80 minutes. The game started while the rain died down,
and we did not want to let the weather dictate how good of a team we were. Ten minutes passed
and it started pouring ice-cold rain that felt as if it were stabbing us each time a drop fell.

Despite the disgusting weather, the game had to keep playing, and we did not look good. Peoria Notre
Dame was our opponent, as well as the previous year’s state-final winner, and they had almost
complete control of the ball. Our team was starting to break down, no team had played with such
control of the ball from before. The sweat and pain felt throughout the practices were too much
to endure to allow a single moment to take it away. Powering through the hurricane-like state
final game, we managed to score a goal off yet another breakaway due to Carter’s speed and
strong left foot, now all that is left is to maintain the lead until the referee blows its whistle.
Landon and I defended our goal from any players getting near, and as the crowd chanted down
the time left on the clock, “Five, four, three, two, one!” the referee blew its whistle; the Titans
were state champions once again.

Since 2005 Glenwood has not been able to go to state for soccer, yet a group of young
men showed how effectively putting in work can pay off. As we were handed our medals I went
up to Landon and we gave each other a big hug from our work that has paid off. While the
season did not start in favor of Glenwood, the hours put into the practice field and the long days
of work at full intensity led to victory. Like any other team, challenges were faced throughout the
season with new players stepping into leadership positions. Learning to work together and push
each other to our highest levels of intensity allowed for a successful season and proved how
possibilities became a reality with the correct mindset. Although it was a serious tournament, it is
important to keep the love for the game strong and to be thankful, especially for players like
Grant Tode who made the most out of every situation and helped us grow a strong friendship.