The Miami High football team’s performance at the start of the season (1-4 as of Sept. 29) seems to foreshadow a season full of disappointment, but the coach and his players seem to think otherwise.

“I think we have great talent. Just because the senior players left, doesn’t mean the team is bad,” said senior player Eric Aracil.

Senior Wildny Present, another member of the team, added, “There is so much talent on the team. The team does have potential.”

As our Stings try to make it to the top of the food chain, there’s always some non-believers along the way. “No, I don’t think there’s any all-stars. I don’t see potential in any of the players,” replied senior Jack Lumbi, after he was asked if this year’s team would make him want to attend a game.

Others kept it short and bitter. “They’re bad,” said senior Isaac Turcios. It seems like it’s easy to throw shade on the team, when you’re not actually out on the field.

Our Stings strive on fan love. Although some students may not see how attending a game is worth their time, Sting Pride is all about support and school spirit, no the matter the challenge we may face. Just showing up to the game is another boost of confidence that the football team desperately needs to overcome the competition and live up to the glory of last year’s football team. “Football games are fun. Fan support fuels the football team. I think the team feeds off the fan support,” said English teacher and LLHS coordinator Ms. Suarez.

Now the big question that surely has the students of Miami High wondering: Is this year’s team better than last year’s team? Many players said no. “I feel that last year’s team was better because they had more chemistry,” said senior Eric Aracil.

“No, last year’s team had more chemistry, but I believe the team will perform better if we all come together as one,” claimed junior Willie Stewart.

By now, it’s pretty clear that team work makes the dream work, and last year’s team seemed to live by that motto, achieving a 6-4 record last year. “Last year’s team was a team that was experienced and had been in big games before,” said the boss man himself, the Miami High football coach Mr. Rosales.  “This year’s team lacks that experience.”

A team may have untapped potential that just hasn’t been discovered or they’re just not good at all. There’s no in between. Who is there to blame? So should the team’s failures and successes be reflected on the coach, Mr. Rosales? He may be a history and AP macroeconomics teacher, but underneath that sturdy exterior is a strategic mastermind that knows his way around a defensive line.

“Rosales is part of the team, so a win is a team win and a loss is a team loss,” said Ms. Suarez. The athletic trainer of the football team, Stephanie Aguilar, added, “The coach gives the team all the skills and plays they need to know. Now if the team wants to put it out on the field, it’s on them.”

Senior Wildny Present blames the football players. “The team doesn’t execute,” he said. “The coach is making the right calls and making the right plays.”