ALAH football playing confident, fast despite major injury

ARTHUR, Ill. (WCIA) – Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football has lost just twice in its last 23 games.

The Knights carried the momentum of an undefeated 2023 regular season into 2024. They also carried a sour memory of a one-score first round playoff loss.

“A lot of us have been thinking about it ever since that last loss,” ALAH senior fullback/ linbacker Maddix Stirrett said. “We’re just all excited to be here and we all have to mentally prepare a lot.”

Head coach Ryan Jefferson says a true brotherhood and strong comradery make this group unique.

“You can stress it, you can encourage it,” Jefferson said, suggesting sometimes the friendship can’t be forced. “We’ve had a lot of good teams in the past and nothing against them, but they didn’t always jive, and these guys, especially the sophomore through senior class. The freshmen are in their own class right now, they’re young, but the sophomores through seniors, they’re just so close, and that’s just really special.”

“You work a lot harder with someone you don’t want to disappoint, like your best friends,” Stirrett said.

The team’s hot-start hit what would typically feel like a road bump when its starting quarterback got hurt. However, Jefferson says sophomore

The Knights, typically known as a run-heavy offense, take pride in their balanced attack in 2024. They also take pride in winning in the trenches.

“Never quitting, no matter what happens, always going hard,” ALAH senior offensive/ defensive lineman Jacob Tijhe said. “Trying and never giving up and keeping our heads up.”

ALAH is now looking for another unbeaten regular season and a deep playoff run.

The Knights play at home against Cerro Gordo on Friday, Oct. 11.

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