After using last spring to train and taking the summer months to prepare individually, the Ichabod football team was reunited as a whole on their home turf last week. 

The reinforced daily routine for this fall will include teamwork drills, memorizing plays and, of course, conditioning to prepare for a season full of competition. 

The Ichabods ended the 2017 season with a winning record of 7-5 and are motivated to make their 2018 record even better. 

Senior wide receiver James “JJ” Brania has nothing but positive things to say about his teammates going into this season. He believes that if they stay focused and believe in each other, good things will come.

“Of course there’s only positive aspirations for the year, I believe in my team. We just need to focus one day at a time and not look too far ahead,” said Brania.

Craig Schurig, head coach for the Ichabods, also has high hopes for the upcoming season. He shines light on the group of hardworking newcomers, as well as returning players, like starting quarterback Blake Peterson (JR), offensive lineman Kyle Hinton (JR) and senior defensive lineman Austin Tilman. His only wish is to leave players more competitive than he found them.

“We want to see some of the young guys step in and show some competition for the veterans, you want as much competition as you can get on your team,” Schurig said.

Both Brania and Schurig agree that, although they have a tough schedule lined up, the team has outstanding potential to find success in the upcoming season.

The Ichabods will have a chance to showcase all of their hard work when they open up their season against Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, on Aug. 30. Their first home game will be Sept. 6 against Northwest Missouri at 6 p.m.