“You work hard, you deserve victory.”

These are the words of head football coach Marcus Teal explaining how this year’s football is preparing for another season.

Last year the team lost about 20 seniors, putting added pressure on the young players and the new senior leaders. Coach Teal said he believes that this year’s team has a lot more senior leadership. “It’s hard to replace a team full of seniors, but what’s different about this team,” said Coach Teal, “is the way they work and the desire they have to win.”

Last season was the first time in history of the school that the Grizzlies missed the playoffs. This is team’s main priority this season. Another goal for Spring Valley football is to bring the banner back. Last season, the Grizzlies lost the “Battle of the Banner” game against Bonanza which is something Coach Teal said is unacceptable this year.

The team has a lot of underclassman, but they are hungry and have the “will to win,” said Coach Teal. These young athletes also have a lot of ‘heart” and they are not only young football players “but very good students and overall good people,” Coach Teal added, “As long has the players buy into the system and trust the coaches as well as just doing their job.”  Coach Teal thinks that the tam can go a long way this season.

The players have displayed the same mind set as their coach, work tirelessly, and with determination as well as using the 2011 “Battle of the Banner” game as motivation.  “If I give 110 percent and not show weakness, I will encourage my team to do the same,” said senior running back Andre Bartley.

The Spring Valley football team will to need to continue to work and trust the coaches in order to be successful and win. “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift,” said senior leader Tyree Berry.