All photos by Malachi Conrad and Logan Vidt.
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
by Austin Bainbridge
New JHS football coach Nick Cotner came into the position in mid-July, five months later than every head coach in the area after former head coach Doug Preston resigned. However, he still feels ready for this season.
“We haven’t felt rushed since most of these guys have run spread before; they know the formations. It’s all just a different name. I feel like we’re ready,” said Cotner, who previously coached at Scottsburg.
Cotner knows that coming in so late means he still needs to find a connection with his players to lead to success.
“Players don’t care what you know until they know you care. So I make sure everybody knows I’m here to stay and I want what’s best for them,” he said.
Players said they feel how much Cotner cares and wants success for the Red Devils.
“He really wants to win here and not quit on Jeff. He really wants to build a program here where we can win every year,” said sophomore linebacker General McLain.
The players can also feel the trust their new coach has in them.
“Cotner really helps me to be the best player, he believes in me even though I’m undersized for my position,” said junior center Jacob Fifer.
Cotner wants to be a mainstay at JHS and the local community.
“I’m here to stay. I want to build a real program here. I’ve been to a couple of the middle school practices so they can know who I am. I’ve lived here since 2020, so I really feel like part of a community,” he said.
Even with most doubting the team with Cotner at the helm, the players still have confidence.
“He’s (Cotner) just such a great guy. He really keeps us in check, and I even think with him we could go 9-0 this year,” said junior tight end and defensive end Tristan Newby.
Even in his short tenure as head coach, Cotner has already gained respect from his team.
“He’s really stepped in like a good leader. Everyone has to earn reps, and he often says that small things lead to big things. I think that really helps us stay focused, especially at practice,” said freshman lineman Collin Kenedy.
Cotner still tries to relate to his players to understand what they are going through and how to get them to perform better.
“I think I’m a detail-oriented coach; we hold our players to standards. I think being a young coach – I’m only 36 – they can still see that I’ve played the game, and I feel like they know I care,” said Cotner.
The players don’t have blind confidence in their coach, but also because they’ve seen his success.
“Scottsburg has won sectionals, which we haven’t done. And he’s bringing a winning mentality. Along with giving everyone goals,” said McLain.
Even with all the expectations surrounding the team, Cotner still takes time to reflect on his success.
“Ever since I was 16, I’ve dreamed of being a head coach. So this is truly a dream come true, even if it’s an unconventional way of getting the job, I’m grateful,” said Cotner.
The Red Devils play at Lawrence Central tonight.
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
All photos by Parker McCloskey, Malachi Conrad, and Eva Harbeson.
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
by Carter Glotzbach
After finishing last season with 15 wins, the boys’ soccer team expects to come back stronger this year with hopes for another sectional championship to maintain their streak.
The team has strong chemistry, with hints of it potentially edging out last year’s bond. According to players and coaches, this will be a strong suit of the team and will be put to the test throughout the season.
“Our team looks very strong and my hope is to win back to back at sectionals,” said sophomore striker Joao Beya.
Other players agreed, saying that the team is cohesive this year.
“Our team has a great bond this year, and I’m looking forward to the season. I definitely enjoyed last year’s season, but summer training has left me excited for what is ahead this year,” said junior Kevyn Santiago.
“I’m very impressed with the bond our team made over the summer,” agreed junior Javier Santiago-Cortez. “We all played well with each other, and I think I enjoyed it more than last year.”
Coaches have also noticed the new team’s connection and acknowledge former players.
“I’m well impressed with the team’s bond; it has been an almost seamless transition, even with our lost seniors,” said head coach Colin Bell.
To prepare for the new season the team put in hours and hard work with early practices and conditioning sessions throughout the summer.
“We put in a lot of good work and looked good on the field, but what I think puts us ahead of our opponents is the work we put in off the field as well,” said Santiago.
More players shared Santiago’s sentiment.
“I put in a lot of hours on the field; I also had many hours off the field, and I know other players did too,” said Beya.
Santiago-Cortez added that while practice was important, some teammates also practiced with each other outside of practice as well.
“We were definitely well conditioned during the off-season. I felt in much better shape after the first month of practice,” said Santiago-Cortez.
The team’s hard work was led by the coaches, who praised the effort they’ve seen so far.
“Our summer training was very beneficial for us. We learned a lot about each player’s capabilities and their commitment to the team when we had them waking up early for practice,” said Bell.
All this hard work has the team wondering where they will place this year at sectionals and potentially even regionals. They wonder not only how far they can make it, but also which teams will pose the greatest challenge on their way there.
New Albany presents the biggest challenge, but the team looks forward to this dynamic this season.
“I think that our biggest competition is definitely New Albany. I think they were our hardest fought win last year, and I’m excited to match up with them again,” said Santiago.
However, another sectional win is the goal for the Red Devils.
“Honestly, I think that we are the best in our sectionals, but if I had to pick a team that I think would give us the best competition, I think it would be New Albany,” said Santiago-Cortez.
Bell said Southern Indiana will feature competitive soccer teams this season.
“I think that competition is pretty equal across the sectional tournament. I think that the team that’s considered the best has an equal chance when compared to the team that’s the worst, but also I think that if we show up and play our best we have the best chance of winning the tournament,” he said.
After hearing about the team’s chemistry, hard work, and competition one might wonder about where they would place in regionals.
“I think a season success would be to win sectionals, but also moving onto regionals and making it further than last year is the ultimate goal,” said Santiago-Cortez.
Other players agree with his sentiment. “I would be very happy to win back to back at sectionals, and continuing on to regionals would be great,” said Beya.
However, the coaching staff is looking at the bigger picture of potentially advancing in the regional tournament.
“Obviously, the goal is a sectional win, but I think a performance in regionals that is better than last year’s would satisfy my expectations,” said Bell.
All photos by Malachi Conrad and Logan Vidt.
All photographs by Malachi Conrad; click on each image to view the gallery below.
All photographs by Malachi Conrad. Click on each image to view the gallery below.
All photographs by Malachi Conard. Click on each image to view the photo gallery below.
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