The Plainfield North varsity football team kicks off the season strong with two back-to-back wins. Winning against Lake Park and Glenbard East, they’re already starting off better than they did the previous year. So what helped lead the team to these victories?
Varsity quarterback Collin Nickel believes what led to these early wins is more about how the team works together on the field. He explained how the players are working better together and the team dynamic overall has improved a lot from last year.
The team has been working hard with the hopes of making it to the playoffs this year. North had a rough season last year, going 2-7, and not making playoffs.
Nickel said his biggest motivator is Head Coach Imbo: “He does everything for the program and welcomes everyone as a family, and that’s what’s created our team atmosphere. He’s the reason I play here.”
After transferring to Plainfield North his sophomore year, Nickel described how North is unlike other teams he has played for. He said, “ Everyone was kind of playing for themselves before, but this year we all came together and are playing for the team.”
Facing Oswego has been the biggest challenge yet for North. Winning state last year, Oswego proved hard to beat. However, playing them early in the season can help the team learn from their game, and have enough time to fix it before playoffs.
Player Tyler Hilderbrand, a junior at North, said the team is heading in the right direction and whatever challenges they face he believes they can overcome. This will also be possible with the new leadership they have this year. Both Hilderbrand and Nickel agree the team was lacking in leadership last year, but their new leadership is one of the reasons they have been so successful so far.
With the whole season in front of them, the boys will be working hard and doing everything they can to make the playoffs, and redeem themselves from last year.
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