Luisa Bernardino

Football players line up in the center, waiting for the blow of the whistle.

As the crisp, cool fall air blows into Metea, it is clear that football is here. The excitement of the season is building, and this season feels different overall. This season marks a change for the program, as for the first time since 2019, Metea Valley has a new head coach, Patrick Sheehan, bringing an abundance of passion and experience to Metea Valley football.

Some of the changes Sheehan has made are the morning workouts that took place over the offseason and taking team trips in the summer. The new Mustangs look to finally prove that they are never outworked (NOW), which has become the team’s mantra this year.

“I love NOW because it represents and symbolizes all the hard work we put in,” senior Spencer Gondek, a member of the newly established leadership council, said. “The work is what will get us to win”.

The Mustangs just wrapped up summer practices, which took place from 6:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., four days a week. These practices consisted of high-paced training, centered around running to the ball and showing 100% effort. During the summer, the team also took a trip to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where they lived in college dorms, practiced on pro-level college facilities, and lifted at the college’s weight room.

Not only did these practices make the players stronger and in better physical condition, but they also became closer and more united off the field. The team bond is one of excitement, brotherhood, and hope that the hard work will pay off.

“One word I would use to describe this team would be family because we work and care for each other every day,” junior Tyler Darche said.

As the Mustangs are hyped to start the new season, the rest of Metea is bursting with optimism and excitement.

“I am extremely excited because we have a whole new system, whole new everything,” Gondek said.

Metea hopes to win its first season opener since 2014 against Downers Grove South, this Friday, Aug. 29.