Tears; something that most people probably wouldn’t expect to be coming out of the eyes of the most physically imposing guys in the school. It was the last game of the season against Northwest. A win would have sent the Bunnies to the playoffs, but there wasn’t a member of the football team that didn’t have a tear in his eye as the Bunnies fell, 13-7.
This loss was not their original plan for this season. The players were heart-wrenched after probably one of their biggest high school dreams was pulled right from their sight. As the players were trying their best to be strong, the rest of the school wasn’t surprised. They thought the same as they usually did, “Oh, Benson just lost again.” There is so much more behind the story, though. That team put their heart and soul into that game and the preparation before hand.
The hall was quiet as I sat there waiting for the boys to come down for their team meeting. I really didn’t know what to expect from the coaches and players as this was my first time going to the “Locker Room Talk”, and being on the sidelines during the game. One by one the players and coaches started coming down the stairs. Most of the players could be heard chanting, “No one on that field got a swagga like us, swagga, swagga like us.” They were more hyped up than anything I’ve ever seen. They would start making beats by clapping and stomping their feet, and then the whole team would get in on the fun.
“We were excited and ready to play,” said senior Aaron Green.
As the boys started to settle down, former teacher and current coach Pat Holston gave his talk to the team. He told a story to the boys to show the mighty strength unknown to that animal called the bunny. He talked about the black plague. This plague killed almost everything in its path. There was one creature that was strong enough to survive through that plague: a rabbit. So he said that the team needed to get out there that night and be those strong bunnies, too.
“The plague was choking almost everything to death except that rabbit,” said Coach Holston. “Tonight, we choke the Huskies!”
The team roared.
Head Coach Adam Heuertz was then ready to give his talk to the team. He stood strong as if he had all the confidence in the world for his team and this game. His face appeared calm, but at the same time I could see the pride in his eyes as he looked out onto his players. When he spoke, he focused on one main thing in particular, and that was Northwest's #31, star running back Antonio Daniels. He kept emphasizing that that was the only thing that Benson had to worry about. The Huskies on the other hand, had 47 guys on the field to worry about. The boys kept being reassured by Heuertz that they are a family, and that is their strength against any team.
“We’ve said it all year and I mean it, you guys are the better team,” said Heuertz. “That’s a team of individuals over there. You guys are a unit, you’re a team.”
The boys came out onto the field with their eyes blazing with excitement. I could just tell from their voices and the smiles on their faces that they were ready to play. The coaches knew it too and they were also ready.
“Fellas, this is not our last game this year,” said Coach Dorsey. “We’re playing for something bigger. Don’t forge
t, you’re playing out there for each other now.”
Then, with a roar of excitement, both on the field and in the crowd, Benson kicked off the ball. During their first time on defense, the team held them down pretty well. Even when there was a bad play, the players would pick their teammates up and encourage them to just keep playing with their heart and never give up. When there was a positive play the boys were on the sidelines cheering and encouraging their teammates to keep going even stronger. They hustled on and off the field so fast like they were ready to keep going and they weren't going to stop for anything. They ran on the field to every play, made every tackle like a bull, and they tried to do everything possible to hold their own. They wanted this game more than anything. They even started shutting down number 31 and allowed him to make as little plays as possible.
“We’re 'bout to get him, too,” said Coach Heuertz with excitement.
The game continued on and the boys kept going with the score a standstill at 0 to 0. Slowly the game started turning around though. Northwest started taking the lead after a few field goals. I was looking right into the boys’ eyes and I could start to see some fear and worry as they started pacing along the sidelines and biting their lips.
“Don’t lose your energy fellas,” said Coach Heuertz. “Keep your heads up!”
The team came back and scored an amazing touchdown. The team, the crowd, and the coaches were all pounding their feet, clapping, and screaming. They started feeling like the game was coming back to them now. Everyone was jumping all around and I couldn’t even walk two steps without feeling like one of the boys might step on me. Even then, I could feel the amazing rush and impact throughout the whole stadium of that one touchdown. Even with the touchdown, the Bunnies were still behind, 13 to 7.
As the time started running down, the team started worrying again. They started talking to each other about what would happen if they lost, what the school would say, and what this would mean to Northwest.
“You guys have to want it more than they do,” said senior AJ Mustoe who was out from the game due to a concussion. “My heart is out there beating on that field with you guys.”
Yet no matter what, as much as they tried, the team couldn't get that last defining score. The clock started to click its way closer to no time remaining. That is when I witnessed the impact of this impending loss. Water started to fill the their eyes, and a few tears started coming down their cheeks. I could see it even through their helmets that these young men felt like the whole world had just been taken away from them.
“I just play football man!” said Mustoe. “I just want this game!”
Then the clock finally stopped on "zero". The game ended, as did the team's season; and you could start hearing the deep breaths that would soon be followed by tears. The players were giving each other hugs, trying to pick each other up. They then went on the field for their last huddle of the season - some for the last time in their life. The boys took a knee, tears coming, streaming from under their helmets even more than before. It wasn’t stopping anytim
e soon. Junior Will Peters then got up and gave a heartfelt and tear-jerking speech. He mainly addressed the fact that the team members are a family and that they will always be close and be there for each other no matter what. The passion could be seen in his eyes and through his tone of voice. He was pounding his chest, showing the team that they had his heart and he would do anything for them.
“I’m still going to be here for you all,” said Peters as his voice started to break, as he fought away the tears. “Don’t put your heads down. I would die for all of you!”
After the speech, the team got together for their final huddle. The whole team, including coaches, yelled “Family!”
“The boys were down and disappointed,” said Heuertz. “But, after the huddle they were still there for each other and picked each other up.”
After the huddle, I saw the coaches starting to get teary eyed. All around the team could be seen hugging each other and picking one another up as they gave each other a shoulder to cry on.
“I felt real bad for the kids,” said Heuertz. “We (the coaches) felt like we let them down. They had done everything we asked.”
It was hard for the seniors especially. There were some actions made that were unforgettable. AJ Mustoe was leaning on teammates and crying pretty hard. Before leaving, Aaron Green went down and kissed the field. Will Peters could barely walk up the stairs into the school.
“I don’t want to leave!” said Peters as he tried to get up the stairs. “I can’t leave this field!”
These boys deserve respect. I have seen all the heart and soul that the team puts into the game, and how it nearly broke them to lose the last game. Even so, their battlecry of "family" kept them together, and the entire season is something that will stick with these players for the rest of their lives.
The team had all the intentions to be heading to the playoffs after last Friday’s game. Sure, they would have lost their Halloween, but to the whole football program, it would have been worth it. These men were ready to prove to everyone in Nebraska that Benson can make it as far as they want. That’s why this loss and heart-breaking aftermath of not going to the playoffs was so painful.
“I honestly really wasn’t ready for the season to be over after Friday,” said Heuertz. “I hadn’t made any plans with anybody for Saturday because I was sure we would win. I was really planning on having practice on Saturday.”
The season is over now. For some, it’s just an end of a chapter in their football career as they will keep playing. For others, this might have been the last time they ever stepped onto a field.
“I will miss the team unity and togetherness,” said Green. “It’s never been like that in any season I’ve played.”
Story By: Moriah Johnson
Photos By: Gabby Nielsen