Patrick Henry focuses on upcoming season while remembering teammates lost too soon
Patrick Henry felt the growing pains of having a young team last year. The Patriots finished 2-8.
And while head coach Bill Inselmann and his players aren’t accustomed to that kind of season, there were a lot of lessons learned.
"They say there's no substitute for experience, and we got experience last year," Inselmann said. "Now to kind of build on that, here we are again now. Only 36 in the top three grades, so our depth again is not good below them, but kids gained experience and there's no substitute for that."
This year, Patrick Henry drops down to Division Seven.
“Efficiency and consistency, we got to run things right and we have to do it every day,” said T.J. Rhamy, a junior and the Patriots’ quarterback.
“Definitely not stopping early, we lost two close games,” said Brayden Peterson, a senior split back and outside linebacker. “Just not finishing all the way through. It’s a big lesson we learned last year.”
The Patriots are young again, but this season is about more than just wins and losses on the football field. It's a dedication year to their teammates and brothers whose lives were taken too soon.
“Losing them, we didn’t really expect it. But now we want to keep honoring them in every way possible, so this year’s definitely for them,” Rhamy said.
“It’s been tough,” Inselmann said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, there’s been a lot of even on the team, ‘Why them?’ They were such nice kids. I think we just approach it that we’re going to talk about it, and the more we talk about it and deal with it, instead of ignore and hide it, that we can learn to adapt and go on. So remember and not forget, it’s difficult.”
The lockers of Xavier, who would have been a senior, and Aidan, who would have been a freshman,still remain - along with the legacy they left behind: the Wensink way.
It’s one that Coach Inselmann wants his team to follow and embrace.
“They were hard-working, dedicated kids and they loved whatever they did,” Inselmann said. “They were fierce competitors, but then they treated everybody with respect like family, and they had their faith first. And that’s how we’re going to remember them, and we’re going to try to live our lives like them.”
While the goals of being league champs and making a playoff run are still there, there’s more behind this season than just football.
“I definitely used to play more like Xavier,” Peterson said. “He was one of my best friends, a cousin of mine, he’s right next to me in my locker, but it’s definitely just a year to play like him more than anything.”
Patrick Henry opens up the season at home with Lake.
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