More than half of the scheduled games for Lake Highland’s Varsity Football team are planned away games and include some of the team’s most competitive competition. Away games are inherently difficult due to the transportation of equipment, but they are also, and potentially most important, mentally stressful on players. Teammates react differently to the stress of visiting games. For some, their performance is affected, and others are more prone to anger. This reiterates the benefits of having a coaching staff at Lake Highland, that outweighs some colleges. Head Coach Ben Bullock emphasizes the importance of teamwork in his program, establishing clear bonds that the players have to lean on while on the road. Traveling games present an entirely different type of high-risk environment, adding a whole new set of dangers on the road that unite the team.
Home-field advantage truly isn’t just a myth; there’s a lot of truth in the saying. In fact, Kindbridge Behavioral Health reported, “In American football (NFL and NCAAF), 57.6% of games are won by home teams.” While NFL teams are playing at levels far beyond that of high school teams, that doesn’t discount the impact of homefield advantage. One of Lake Highland Football team’s four captains, Liam Tobin, grade 12, explained that at away games, “The atmosphere is always different. At home, it is really positive, and away it’s all about keeping your composure.” It’s not just the players that have to adjust, but the staff as well. Coach Bullock explained, “We try to frame it as different. The travel logistics of taking the team and all of our equipment, and preparing the team mentally for an unfriendly environment,” are added elements that can build on to an already stressful environment. But that’s where routine comes in.
Logistically, there’s a lot the coaching staff has to do to prepare for visiting games, especially those with farther distances. To prepare for long trips and away games in general, Coach Bullock explained, “We strive to maintain consistency for the players.” The second away game of the season is located in Mount Dora, an hour away from the school, and has the team arriving home close to 10:00 P.M.. That’s after a full day of school. Maintaining consistency is what, “Keeps them on a routine as much as possible, which helps with their preparation. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work when it comes to road games. We can’t go back into our own locker room if we forget something,” Coach Bullock added. All these added aspects build onto the stress of an away game. However, their routine and knowing they’re, “Having other guys rely on [them], and [their] success and failure matter to everyone,” keeps them grounded as, Liam Tobin, grade 12, noted.
The athletic trainers are not left out, because they might have the most to think about to prep for a game. Head Trainer Mr. Scott Schenker, explained for away games, “We come prepared for everything we can plan for.” Things such as keeping the players hydrated come into their prep for games. Schenker explained, “For hydration, we will bring our hydration systems (Waterboys) and bottles.” Additionally, they have to think about any medical equipment they might need in case of an emergency. Coach Schenker added, “For all other items, we stock a travel medical kit that will help us deal with many different injuries and illnesses. Within this kit are items that will help us evaluate and treat orthopedic and general medical issues.”
These items are used more than most people would think. In football, players are constantly getting simple injuries that trainers help with, such as turf burn. Moreover, trainers are on site to elevate any injuries that could potentially be more severe. Coach Schenker noted that, “We also bring an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), crutches, and a splint bag to be prepared for any emergency scenarios. We bring everything we can so that we are always prepared for both the expected and unexpected.” Being prepared is the most useful tool when it comes to any team’s success, and the Lake Highland Football team is more than prepared.
Even with the aggression from home teams during visiting games, traveling isn’t all bad. There are also special traditions that come with it. Coach Bullock explained that, “On long trips, we have pizza at the bus after the game. We also stop at a particular service plaza if we are heading towards Miami for a game.” The players themselves also look forward to traveling for some away games. Brady Weber, grade 12, is looking forward to going to, “Lakeland for the state championship.” The long hours, dangers that come with away games, and early morning practices are all worth it because, for Weber, the most impactful part of being on the team is, “Building friendships that I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for football.” Team sports, in general, benefit those who participate in them in the long run. Being more than halfway through the season, the Lake Highland Football players, coaches, and trainers are united, working towards one goal: victory, together as a team. As John C. Maxwell, author of The Leadership Handbook, said, “One is too small of a number to achieve greatness.”
extra equipment for the players, extra uniforms in case of blood or other reasons, video equipment, Sideline Replay equipment, iPads, athletic training equipment, and water.” (Emily Cypher)
