The Lee’s Summit West football team is working hard off the field as they prepare for the upcoming season. They hope to keep a positive and determined mindset as the offseason training has officially begun. Coach Jarrod Pughsley, Player Noah Herrera, and Player Brendan Honey give us their thoughts on how they plan to grow as a team.
As the football season ends, the team’s work is just beginning. Coach Jarrod Pughsley explained that the goals for the off-season are simple but important. “Get bigger, faster, and stronger,” Pughsley said. Right now, the team’s workouts are focused mainly on lifting in the weight room. Conditioning will be added to the workouts, and by March, once it is allowed, the team will begin football-specific practices. These practices will include 90 minutes on the field, working on the playbook, offense, defense, and other key components of the team.
Keeping players motivated, especially when games feel far away, can be hard. Pughsley believes in reminding his players that “the standard is the standard.” He believes preparation should remain intense whether or not the team is in season. Off-season training began January 12th and will continue until about two weeks before the end of the second semester, around mid-May. This long stretch is important for the team’s preparation and will help build a foundation for the next season. Overall, Coach Pughsley is confident and excited about what this offseason will bring. With hard work, dedication, and a focus on improvement, the team is preparing to be better than ever for the upcoming season.
For 10th-grade football player Noah Herrera, the offseason is an important time to prepare both physically and mentally for the upcoming season. Herrera explained that offseason training focuses on building strength, while in-season training focuses on recovery and maintenance. According to Herrera, the hardest part of the offseason is “staying consistent” even when games are far away, but he believes consistency is key to performing well on Friday nights.
When asked what he hopes to improve from last season, Herrera said, “I hope to have a winning record as opposed to a losing record.” He also shared that improvement starts with effort and commitment from everyone on the team. Herrera also shared a personal goal for next season, to win a district championship, and plans to achieve this goal “by working hard every day.” For Noah Herrera, the offseason is not just about training, it’s about setting a foundation for success.
For sophomore Brendan Honey, offseason training plays a major role in preparing for the football season. Honey explained that offseason training is “much more intense” than in-season training and that the hardest part is how demanding it can be. He also shared that the previous season, training was in the morning before school, which made the workouts more challenging. Despite this, he still understood it was crucial to the team’s improvement.
One aspect Honey hopes to improve from last season is consistency. As Honey stated, he wants “to stay consistent during the summer and offseason.” Overall, Brendan Honey sees the offseason as an important opportunity for growth. By staying consistent and committed, he hopes both he and his team can reach their goals.
