The Sage Informer

The whole town was in awe after this past football season. The Sages went 11-3 this year, making it to the state finals. The 2024 football captains—seniors Ike Young, Carter Foran, Mason High, and Matt Swartz—talk about the end of their high school football career. 

One of the highlights was obviously when they beat Unity to get to the state championship. Foran expressed that it was his favorite memory because “the rush of emotions after the game and celebrating with my teammates is a feeling I will never forget.” 

Young sees it as their greatest accomplishment this season, adding, “In my opinion, that game was bigger than state itself.” 

Not only did they have team accomplishments, but also individual accomplishments. High and Young made the All-State team for their positions as defensive lineman and quarterback, respectively.

The Sage Cage met in Sievers Center Gym after the state game for end of the year speeches and handing out the state medals to the players. The players and coaches thanked the community for helping out and making sure the Sages felt supported. The players also had a few words about how the coaches impacted them. 

Swartz felt that Coach Kirk impacted him the most. He said, “He always had a smile on his face and was always a great person to talk to.” 

Young also felt that a coach had greatly impacted him, adding that Coach Jones put his time and effort into making him the best player he could be.

Your family can be the first person you go to when you need advice or to just support you in what you do. 

High mentioned how his dad always helped him identify his flaws in the game and how to fix them, while Foran expressed how his mom is his biggest supporter, for she was always picking him up and was a big reason why he succeeded so much this year.

Growth comes from many things, even if that means losing. Foran said, “The two losses were truly a blessing in disguise, because we were able to play our best football after both losses.”

To conclude, Young noted that the team showed growth throughout the year, not only on the field,  but also off the field, as brothers.

Thea Key, Staff Writer

keyth27@sages.us