This season, the team’s heart and soul lie not only in its talent but also in the strength of its leadership. Captains Kai Bergeson, Ethan Pirie, and Kiel Sanchez have stepped up in big ways, setting the tone for team culture, striving for greatness, and overcoming challenges.
Chemistry on the Field
Captain Kai credits the team’s long-standing chemistry as one of their greatest qualities. “We’ve been playing together for a while,” Kai shared. “Even those who haven’t played club ball put in the work just like everyone else—it all balances out.” This familiarity and trust has created a solid foundation that fuels performance on and off the field.
Ethan echoed this, adding, “Our ability to move the ball and play collectively is one of our strongest assets this season.”
Growth and Challenges
Despite their strong bond, the team still has its challenges. “Our biggest challenge is ourselves,” Kai admitted. “We try to uplift each other, but sometimes our tone can come off as rude or critical,” Ethan added that their moments of frustration can lead to teammates putting each other down. Both captains added and emphasized the importance of communication and kindness as ongoing growth areas.
Kiel talked about the challenge of adapting to a new coach and play style. “It’s taken some adjustment, but we’re committed to learning and improving together.”
Role of a Captain
All three captains see their leadership as crucial in keeping morale high. “When we get scored on, I try to keep everyone’s head up and remind them we still have a chance,” Kai explained.
Ethan shared a similar perspective: “I focus on helping everyone stay level-headed, and when I give feedback, I make sure it’s positive.”
Kiel strives to lead by example. “I lift my teammates up and stay as positive as I can to set the tone for the rest of the team.”
Goals and Focus
The team has their eyes set on a state title. “We have to focus on the little details and be willing to sacrifice a lot of hard work to make it,” said Kai. Ethan added that playing tougher opponents in the regular season is part of the strategy: “We know we’ll see them again in the postseason.”
Kiel noted that the team is also focused on growing closer as a unit and winning substate games through collective effort and dedication.
Overcoming Adversity
Every successful season includes its share of adversity. This team is no exception. “There’s been a lot of bumps in the road,” Kai said. “But we’ve learned that a good attitude and strong communication can get us through anything.”
Ethan recalled tough practices where teammates would get frustrated over small things. “We had to change our tone and be more encouraging,” he reflected.
Kiel emphasized empathy and understanding: “We don’t have perfect teammates, and they won’t either. On off days, we lift each other because we know what our teammates are capable of on a good day.”
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With captains like Kai, Ethan, and Kiel leading the way, they’re not just aiming for success—they’re building a legacy.
With a 10-7 record on the season, the boys face Waukee Northwest on the road in a regional matchup at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
