Sports
THE eagle’s Eye
Page 20 | Oct. 10, 2023
Changing the way athlethes succeed
Coaches and athlethes speak on the changes and how it affects them Adamaris Olivares Sports Editor “Everybody get MAD!” Those are the words heard on the field from the head coach as the Akins Football team prepares for another game that week. However, instead of demanding that The Eagles football team players get angry, MAD is an acronym for this seasons team’s slogan “Make A Difference.” Making a difference is something that Head Football Coach Joey Saxe has always emphasized since he took over as the head coach in 2021. Besides practicing and playing hard on the field, Saxe also wants Akins players to learn to become difference-makers in their school community. With the new acronym representing the words “Make A Difference,” the Varsity team has begun their season after multiple practices throughout the summer, and the continuous weeks. With a new season, the football program has experienced multiple changes, including new players, a lack of players to staff a full team, and adjusting to new assistant coaches. While they continue to improve, the athletes and coaches have to adjust to the changes to the program compared to their last season. Working through these changes, the team continues to stay motivated and adjust to the differences. Samantha Limon The most noticed change throughout this season has been FINAL PLAY the differences in the coaching staff compared this year from last year. These changes have led to differences in numbers Head Coach Joey Saxe gives a speech at the end of their first Varsity game of the season after with the defense taking several smaller numbers, as well as their loss at Burger Stadium against Hays High School. more successes. “When you look at the number of missed tackles last getting the most yards out there to more transformational own are definitely some achievements worth celebrating year compared to this year, we cut the deficit a lot. Same and just trying to change lives through the game of football. for us considering we have a pretty young team,” senior thing with pre-snap penalties,” Head Coach Joey Saxe said. I think that’s success right there,” Saxe said. Matthew Ybarra said. “They’ve definitely gotten better, bigger, faster, stronger Student-athletes have also been able to see and participate While discussing the success he has experienced watching in the weight room. We improved almost 15,000 pounds, in these changes, helping their team by changing the ways his students succeed, the program has allowed students to within our three lifts.” they communicate and cheer for each other. improve as scholars, and are not just judged by the scoreDespite having to compete in a district that includes “We are communicating more, cheering, and helping the board. Akins coaches continue to push and support players wealthy perennial powerhouse teams like Westlake and Lake team from the sideline. We are working towards keeping a so they never consider giving up. Travis — which often compete for state championships positive attitude towards each other and “It’s been four years of just work, work, work, and it’s just — the team works toward success while the opposing team,” senior Julio Menchalike man, People don’t see that in the stands, right? You facing unfair judgment at times. ca said. know how resilient (the players are),” Saxe said. “Through“We’re in one of the toughest districts in “Sometimes when While shifting the focus and wanting to out the entire week no matter what happens like on Fridays the whole state of Texas, you know, and gain success for their team, Saxe has conwe all just come together and we just represent our school you look at the winthen being the only you know title one stantly strived to make his student-athwe play to the best of our abilities. You put a blanket over loss column, you’re school in that district, we know there are letes better students, and goals that don’t that scoreboard sometimes and you just play for all four challenges involved with that right,” Saxe judged by that” just include football. quarters.” said. “With the low income not necessar“I think success really comes from, at Another challenge players face is sometimes being forced -Head Coach, ily having the access to programming but the end of the day, are (our players) ready to play different positions because of the team’s low number Joey Saxe we’ve seen so much growth in the short to go out into the world and become, you of players. However, new leaders are still emerging, and time that we have (our players). That, know, better students, better employees, embracing the focus on personal development and successes. man, is life-changing.” better husbands, better fathers,” Saxe said. Saxe said he strives for less judgment and more pride. As these numbers continue to improve, Saxe has also “Once I can see that I can say “yes” to each one (the players) “We wish people respected (the team) more because (the changed the goals of the team. The search for wins and numas (they) leave here. We know we’re being successful.” players) do so much great stuff. And, you know, sometimes bers has now shifted to measuring success in different ways The football team have learned to celebrate successes in when you look at the win-loss column, you’re judged by for the team, both on and off the field. different ways, rather than just cheering for scores. They that, but that’s the furthest from the truth,” Saxe said. “You “You know, once I shifted my mindset from transactional, have learned to celebrate each other and their achievements. know, we have so much good going on here.” which is getting them wins, putting up points, you know, “Everybody doing their assignments and holding their JP Lopez and Andrew Copeland contributed to this story
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