Under new head coach Calvin Arnold, the Knights are 2-5 and 2-2 in Region 4-AAAA with three games left.
Running back coach Theodore Minter believes the team has been successful, despite its losing record.
“It’s just a lack of execution,” Minter said. “If we play our type of football and we’re executing at a high level, defending at a high level, it’ll be hard to beat us going into this playoff push. Every game is a playoff game now.”
In their first two region matches, the Knights went undefeated, taking down Drew and Forest Park. However, in their two most recent region games they lost to Maynard Jackson and M.L. King. The playoffs are still within reach if they win two out of their three remaining region games. Junior offensive lineman Brady Crep said the team is working to become more focused with the playoffs in sight.
“I think the playoffs are definitely possible, but it’s gonna be a challenge,” Crep said. “We’re working to be more disciplined and supportive in preparation of our upcoming games.”
Arnold said adjusting the team’s mentality after a slow start is important in instilling trust in his players.
“Our main goal is just building confidence in the team and making sure everybody is building camaraderie with each other,” Arnold said.
Senior captain and quarterback Noah Williams emphasized the importance of team cohesiveness in producing positive results and staying blame free after mistakes.
“It’s easy to point fingers at other people, but honestly, everybody is going to make mistakes in the game,” Williams said. “There’s things that everybody can do a little bit better, so I think having a mentality where we are not really focused about what happened in the past, but just focusing on the next play, in the next game will help us, overall.”
Senior defensive back Kamale Bell, a recent Midtown transfer from South Atlanta, said he has seen the team chemistry grow throughout the season.
“Everyone here is family,” Bell said. “I wasn’t comfortable at first because I didn’t know the team, but after my first game, I got comfortable with the team, and everybody started trusting each other more.”
Last year, the Knights fell short of qualifying for the playoffs, finishing 7th in Region 4-AAAA with a 1-6 region record. Minter said if the players work hard, and showcase the team’s abilities, he believes the playoffs are achievable.
“I think the region will have to deal with us,” Minter said. “If we handle our business and play the type of football we have been working towards, then we can definitely make a statement by making the playoffs and showing who we are as a team.”
Williams said the team is making tweaks to its playing style, working to reduce small mistakes to perform at a high level consistently.
“I think execution has been our biggest challenge,” Williams said. “Every game we have gotten better at executing our plays and our goals, but we really want to keep minimizing our mistakes.”
Freshman receiver Zantwan Mitchell said it is important to maintain a level head during games.
“Even when we are ahead, we try and look at the scoreboard like it’s 0-0,” Mitchell said. “This is what keeps us going and pushes us to come out ahead.”
Arnold said his supportive coaching staff’s high football IQ and belief in the team has been essential this season.
“The coaches have really contributed a whole lot,” Arnold said. “You know Coach Kelly (Christian) is a very bright coach, and he is on the rise, Coach Minter is a bright young coach who brings a lot of energy to the team, and my other coaches – Coach (Justin) Rivers, a great defensive mind, and Coach (Jakeem) Pugh, who always comes with a word of wisdom.”
Offensive lineman Michael Hughley said film sessions have provided the team time to analyze games and discuss game play with coaches.
“Film gives us the time to reflect on what has happened on the field, and show progress throughout the season,” Hughley said.
Arnold said it is important to maintain composure the rest of the season.
“We are serious about trying to win; we are serious about trying to build young men into young adults; we are serious about just the overall aspect and holding kids accountable,” Arnold said. “We just have to rely on the basics and everything that they have been taught. If they keep this up, then I think we could definitely perform well in the rest of our season and in the playoffs.”
