FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – For Concordia wide receiver and defensive back Avery Cook, the 2023 season ended in disappointment.
“Last year was obviously very upsetting for many of us,” Cook said.
The madness came from a season without a single win.
“We want to win,” said head coach Tim Mannigel. “When you’re down 10-0, every game steals a piece of your soul.”
This difficult ordeal did not stop the group of cadets from sticking together.
“We’re all brothers,” Cook said. “We just want to win together; we’re going to lose together. That’s just part of it, but we really come together and play.”
Her game was the focus of attention this summer.
“The kids worked incredibly hard this summer and invested a lot of time,” said Mannigel. “The first two weeks of the season were really physically demanding. More so than in previous years.”
The hard work and effort finally paid off on Friday, August 26, when Zollner Stadium celebrated its first football victory since the fall of 2022.
“It was like a boost of energy,” Cook said. “It was a relief that we were finally able to win.”
With a 20-14 win in week one over Indianapolis Scecina, the Cadets maintained the lead for the entire competition, a victory that was based on the experience they gained in 2023.
“I think you always learn valuable lessons from mistakes,” Cook said. “A lot of them had to prove themselves and take the lead, and that definitely helped us a lot now that we’re seniors. Leadership is an even bigger thing.”
Concordia can now showcase these leadership qualities and all the other lessons learned from their mistakes on Friday night, with the negativity of 2023 behind them.
“We’re already in a new season, a better season yet,” Cook said. “I think we’ll just put it behind us and move on.”
The cadets travel to Eastbrook on Friday, August 30, hoping their newfound success continues.
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