All In? Yes, WE Are

The Cougar faithful that packed the grandstand and lined the chain-link fence stormed en masse onto the immaculate turf to celebrate with the conquerors as they hoisted the trophy for all to see. There were photo ops galore and hugs, expressions of joy, and congratulations all around. “We Are the Champions,” the Queen classic, boomed from the PA.

 

Really, does life get any better than that?

 

“I saw the play as it was happening,” said head coach Mark Palyo of the Cadets’ final effort, a tipped pass that sailed out of the end zone with no time remaining. “It was surreal. It seemed to happen in slow motion. Then, it’s, ‘Oh, my goodness! We’ve won! State champs!’ I’m so happy for the boys. I love seeing the excitement. It was our goal to get there, but to actually accomplish your goal against a strong opponent. Incredible moment!”

 

The formula that created Collegiate’s seventh VISAA title since 2003 included not only talented players, of course, but also one-for-all, all-for-one chemistry, and a work ethic that was evident well before the start of pre-season practice in mid-August.

 

Team camp at Washington & Lee, directed by Scott Abell, the Generals’ head coach, proved an important building block.

 

“We had 24 boys go,” Palyo said. “We could see their commitment by what they were doing, their willingness to learn, how they were listening to the college coaches, and then time with our coaching staff.”

 

When they headed back to Richmond, Palyo’s guys brought a maxim that would carry them through their season: WE.

 

“It came from Coach Abell,” Palyo continued. “He’s a quarterback guru. WE is something he gave the quarterbacks. WE is simple: Win Everything. Win Everywhere. With Everyone. We used it. We bought the boys t-shirts with WE on the front and (the mantra) on the back.”

 

There’s more.

 

“(Seniors) Jack Sroba and Jake Johnston came to me with a simple, two-word slogan: All In,” Palyo added. “We had wristbands made and distributed them to players in the program grades 9 through 12. They wanted it as a representation of who they are as a team.”

 

The season began with two wins, then a 14-10 loss to Episcopal, a powerhouse from Alexandria. There was a silver lining.

 

“We were skeptical about how we’d do,” said Patrick Kirchmier, a senior linebacker/running back and a team captain. “Then, during the week preparing, we were as focused as we’d ever been. Although we lost, we played to our potential. Figuring out our potential really showed the team’s character and helped tremendously with our confidence.”

 

After a loss to Woodberry Forest the following week, the Cougars won six straight to finish 8-2. Kirchmier (inside linebacker), Sroba (punt returner), Johnston (kicker), Excellence Perry (running back), Cole Eck (outside linebacker), and Berkeley Geho (defensive line) earned All-Prep League honors. The All-VISAA team will be announced in December.

 

On what began as a brilliant fall afternoon against the Cadets (8-2), the Cougars jumped out to a 19-0 lead. As a cold front moved in bringing dark clouds and wind, the visitors cut the difference to 19-7 late in the third quarter. Johnston kicked his third field goal of the game, a 30-yarder, to give Collegiate a 22-7 lead going into the final period. A late Benedictine touchdown proved too little, too late.

 

Using their “4-3 Over” defensive alignment, the Cougars limited Benedictine to only 135 yards rushing, effectively stifling its primary attack.

 

“Our defense dominated,” Palyo said. “Everyone has a gap to control. There’re specific assignments that we have to accomplish on every single play. The mindset is to take care of your job. If everyone takes care of his job, they really have nowhere to go. You’re lining up. You’re competing. They got 14 points, but we gave them a short field on one and slipped up on a coverage on another. Other than that, we shut them down. It was what we had to do.”

 

For the season, the Cougars allowed only 13.5 points and 77 yards rushing per game, both tops in the VISAA. They also held opponents to a 25 percent success rate on 3^rd-down conversions.

 

Last fall, the Cougars finished 3-5 and third in the Prep League and failed to qualify for the VISAA playoffs.

 

“That was disappointing,” said Hatcher Chucker, a senior defensive end/offensive lineman and a team captain. “But there was no doubt. We realized how good we were and the potential we had.

 

“Last season, I tore my labrum and had surgery after the season. Right before I went under, my dad said to me, ‘Is there anything you’d like to say to the camera?’ I looked at him and said, ‘Tell Coach Palyo that next year, we’re going to win the state championship.’”

         -- Weldon Bradshaw