ARCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) – Arcola football will play Villa Grove in the WCIA 3 Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game of the Week on Friday, Sept. 27.
The Purple Riders started 0-2 on the 2024 campaign but stayed together.
“It was them showing up and working hard everyday,” second-year head coach Steve Snider said. “I can’t say enough good things this group, our senior captains, those guys- they do it all.”
Senior running back/ linebacker Jayden Henson-Stice says the two tough games on the schedule early helped this team get in the right mindset for big games down the stretch.
Now, Arcola is on a two-game winning streak. Despite believing in themselves the whole time, coaches and players admitted coming out on the right end on Friday night sparks confidence.
“Definitely been really helpful for everyone just getting two wins,” Arcola senior wide receiver Braden Phillips said. “It’s hard to start off 0-2 but just getting some confidence is key.”
The week five opponent for Arcola is winless but has played a tough schedule.
“I’m not taking them lightly in the slightest,” Snider said. “You definitely have to understand you watch their film and they have a ton of talent.”
“They’re a great team and we’ve got to play some pretty good football to beat them,” Henson-Stice said. “That’s how it’s going to be with every team. Every team is beatable, every team you could lose to. The record doesn’t mean a thing going into this week. We’re both 0-0.”
The team is looking to build something bigger than one game or one season.
“We’ve always been a football first town,” Phillips said. “They’ve always had our back, always supported us, no matter what it be.”
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