ATHLETICS
Back to Back State Runner-Ups The 2021 football season marked the second year in a row that the Bulldogs made it to the State Championship game with Coach Mike Kintz. “With this being my second year here, it was a different season as my relationship with these players and coaches was a year in the making. Having the opportunity to coach them and return to that game was awesome." Making it to the championship game did not come without some challenges. The 2021 MDCA football team was very small, with only 25 players, including nine seniors. “From the start, we had to deal with Covid issues. The first week of school, we all were quarantined. On top of that, we went into games with about 20 guys, shared Senior Quarterback Caleb Romano. Coach Kintz also expressed the challenge of the size of the team and Covid, “The challenges we faced were the same as any other team in regards to Covid and injuries. However, the number of players we have was less than any other team we played all year long, so overcoming that and still being able to practice effectively was definitely a challenge.” The goal for the team was always to make it to the state championship, and to win. What the Bulldogs lacked in size, they made up for in genuine care for each other and talent. The team pushed their way forward to the state championship game. Romano shared how he felt about going into that final game. “I was definitely nervous going in, those butterflies have always been there since a young age. However, I 15 | Imagine · Spring 2022
actually felt at peace about the whole thing. The more I stress, the worse that I play. Being relaxed helps me play confident and free. I honestly had to just ask God to calm me down. I cannot express how excited I was to be in that game though. To get to that game meant a lot...I was just so grateful.” After a long season with a small team, the Bulldogs lost the SSAC championship game by one point to Lake Highland Prep and outscored opposing teams by a 405 to 128 margin. “Truly, there are so many moments in this season that will stand out for a lifetime. The excitement from our players towards their teammates when they scored for the first time or caught their first pass was genuine. Having games that took place with power outages, bus drives going the wrong way taking us to Georgia, our teammate "Joe" that I still have not met, teammates giving up a touchdown by handing it to another teammate at the goal line, players getting taken off in an ambulance but being okay, and last, but not least, the process of the off-season. These young men give up so much time to be a great football team, and the ups and downs of the year make it all worth the sacrifice. None of us was perfect, but I saw them grow up, put in the work, and I am hopeful they all became closer to God,” reflected Coach Kintz.
