Wayzata football goes beyond the Friday Night Lights, diving deep into the mental preparation and personal perspectives that shape its players, revealing the dedication, discipline, and emotional intelligence required to compete at a high level, both on and off the field.
Throughout a series of interviews with seniors: Briggs Opp, Sam Booh and Zander Harrell, they share how they prepare mentally for games, overcome losses and how the student section impacts their game play. Being a part of the Wayzata High School football team is way more than just trying to win games. Players undergo physical conditioning, film study, and mental preparation.
“For me personally, it all starts the night before the game…going to bed early is so important, but for me on Friday, I honestly really try not to think about football a ton.” Opp said. He emphasizes the importance of getting to bed early, but also points out his strategy of trying not to overthink football too much on game day and that it’s all about finding that balance between preparation and staying relaxed.
For senior running back Zander Harrell, he tries his best to not let the nerves get to him. “I like to stay as calm as possible, don’t let nerves get to me and just trust that I have practiced and I know what I need to do and just execute.” Harrell said.
Similar to Opp, Booh also makes sure he gets to bed early. “The night before game day, I go to bed at 10pm and make sure that I have everything I need organized, especially my AirPods.” Booh shares. This preparation undoubtedly sets them up for individual success on and off the field. Staying organized, well rested, and calm can help with a number of things while also benefiting football.
Losses are an inevitable part of any sport, and Wayzata football is no exception. While the sting of defeat can be tough to shake off, it is often said that losses shape identity. The team’s approach to handling losses isn’t about dwelling on the negative, but rather using them as opportunities for growth.
Wide receiver Booh, is no exception to this concept. “I’ll be honest, after a loss I am pretty emotional…I usually take a few moments to myself but then I try to make sure the rest of the team is doing okay.” Booh shares, offering a glimpse into the team’s overall morale despite recent challenges.
Senior running back Harrell focuses on moving forward, emphasizing the team’s proactive approach to improvement; Harrell says “Every Thursday at someone’s house we study film for offense and defense,” highlighting their commitment to game preparation.
Win or lose, the team always appreciates the energy from the student section, whose unwavering support provides an extra boost of motivation, reminding them they’re not just playing for themselves, but for the entire school community. “Oh yeah, for sure…I mean personally, I feed off of energy.”. Booh said after being asked how the student section impacts his game play. Booh also claims he loves a certain cheer that the Trojans have, “I love that cheer they do, the sizzle…yeah I love the sizzle, that really hypes me up.” He said.
When asking Opp the same question, he had more of a different response. While he acknowledged the energy and enthusiasm of the student section and cheer team, he emphasized the importance of maintaining his focus on the game itself. Opp explained that as much as he appreciates the support, getting caught up in the crowd’s reactions can distract him. “I honestly try to tune out the student section and just focus on the game so that nothing gets in my head.” he said.
However for Harrell he is more on Booh’s side. “It really helps keep energy up when the student section cheers for us so that we can stay at 100 percent and run around with more confidence, which is crucial to playing well”. Harrell shared. The Trojan’s passionate support system undoubtedly fosters a sense of unity that positively enforces the team’s performance.
Building onto the energy that a strong student section provides, the Wayzata High School football program embodies a tradition of community spirit. With a focus on values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
When asking Booh what made him join this program, he reminisces about his 7th grade experience with head coach, Lambert Brown. “What really made me start playing and taking the game more seriously was in 7th grade when coach Brown came over to Wayzata East middle school and he gave me confidence…he told me he believed in me
and he could really see me going somewhere with this sport.” Booh explained. This statement really shows how supportive the coaching staff is. “I guess coach Brown was right with what he saw in me, as I recently committed to University of Sioux Falls for football down in South Dakota.” Booh said. Using his coach’s support for motivation has clearly shown positive outcomes all throughout his football career at the high school.
Wayzata high school’s football program is more than just a team; it’s a community that embodies support, dedication, and teamwork. Through a combination of hard work, supportive coaching, and a strong sense of team camaraderie, the program not only develops skilled athletes but also shapes well-rounded individuals prepared for success in all parts of their lives. The Wayzata football program exemplifies the positive impact of high school sports.