The bond of Oakdale High school JV football team is a strength they’ve been developing all summer. Coach Kurt Stein, Oakdale’s JV and Varsity football coach, who has built Oakdale’s football program stated, “We have very tight knit bonds on the team, not only player to player, but coach to player too.”
The team has built a relationship with their coach like no other team. Sophomore Kooper Via mentioned, “I’m just following the coach and going with what he says.” The kids look up to him and it shows that there’s teamwork. They take Coach Stein’s advice seriously, and follow his strategies for the team’s success.
Oakdale High’s JV team not only has the family aspect, but gives opportunities and memories for the players and coaches. Shemiah Hill, a former player for the Mount Airy Bulldogs, mentioned “There’s more teamwork and leadership[on Oakdale’s JV team].”
The team’s first game was Saturday, September 2nd against Milford Mill. Unfortunately, they didn’t return with a win but showed much confidence and recovered fast before their game on Wednesday, September 6th.
Coach Stein explains why he loves football and why he got into this type of business. “Football did many wonderful things for me in my life, so I try to bring those things to other people.”
The players find football as a way to relieve stress and make it easier for them to concentrate. When asked why football is important to him, Kooper Via replied with, “Whenever I play, it helps relieve stress and take my mind off anything that’s bothering me.”
The players depict the bond of the team. Every one of the players has shown some sort of support towards building their bond. Freshman Marcos Artueagacruz stated, “Honestly to get closer, and build a stronger bond.”
Player Benjamin Rampersad, a freshman on the team, added on, “Honestly I just want to help the team and help make everyone else’s experience better and make friends of course.”
Despite their first loss, Oakdale JV football team spirit and bond cannot be beat, as shown in the next two games. On September 6 they resoundingly beat Winters Mill 32-14, and on September 12 they won 12-0 against a tough Frederick team!
