- November 5, 2024
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Quarterback Jeremiah Wilson stands under center and channels his inner superhero.
“Superman!” he shouts.
Throughout the game Friday, Sept. 13, en route to the Pirates’ first win of the season, a 55-16 blowout of the visiting Arlington Country Day, he barked out the play calls to his teammates: “Spiderman!” And then, “Batman!”
It’s a system devised by new head coach Jeff Nettles to help the players remember the plays in particular categories, such as inside or outside runs, or deep passes. Superheroes are one type of play, birds (hawk, swan, dove) are another, and countries (Poland, Canada) are another.
“It’s strictly for recall and retention purposes,” Nettle said. “However, the system is complicated for defenses when they are trying to figure out what you are trying to call.”
The victory on Sept. 13 was the also the first in the Jeff Nettles era. Nettles replaced coach Keith Lagocki this season. The Pirates dominated the first half, playing like superheroes as they went up 28-0 and then up 41-0 before the visitors got on the scoreboard. Stefan Tucker, Rahim Booker, Marcaus Cooper and Wilson all scored, with Kicker Ian Hubbs adding the extra points.
However, the team has thinned out. Nettles started the season with about 80 players between varsity and junior varsity, and now he has 60. The players haven’t given reasons for leaving the team, but according to Wilson and center Alex Kubiek, everyone is asked to work harder and longer than they were in previous years.
Nettles is not apologetic about what he asks. “We will work at Matanzas,” he said. “And the kids that stay with us — you know they are elite individuals. The amount of hours we ask on top of their school work, on top of their family, on top of other activities they want to do as a student — it’s not something everyone can do.”
Some players, such as Wilson, go looking for more. Early in the game Sept. 13, he said, he was not happy with the accuracy of his passes. And what’s the remedy? “It’s just going harder at practice,” he said. “More reps.”
Kubiek said the hard work has helped the team morale, despite the first two losses of the season.
“I see it as going into war,” he said “When you’re fighting as hard as you can, you grow a real tight bond with your brothers playing next to you.”
BOX: UP NEXT
The Pirates have an extra week to prepare for their next game. They host Titusville at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, which is the Homecoming Game.
