The Aberdeen High School football team needs a motto for the 2011 season.
The motto will be utilized this summer as the Bulldogs prepare mentally for fall drills, and will continue through the fall.
The winning phrase will be simple yet effective at rallying a team that is trying to win the big game after reaching the Class 3A state championship game the past two seasons.
To apply, contact coach Chris Duncan or any senior member of Aberdeen High”s football team.
Yes, Aberdeen is searching for a new rallying cry. “Unsatisfied” was the perfect motto last season with the Bulldogs coming off a surprising run to the state title game. But falling one game short of their ultimate goal was enough for the Bulldogs to tweak their approach, which includes their motto.
“Like any other coach, if something doesn”t work out, I like to change,” Duncan said, only half joking.
Some aspects of Aberdeen”s success won”t change. Aberdeen, which will face Lake Cormorant in its jamboree, plans to continue outworking everyone, relying on a mixture of experienced players and newcomers. They will start sophomore Chico Harrison at running back and are expected to start three sophomores and two juniors on the offensive line.
Six starters return on offense, and seven on defense, players who don”t have to be reminded of the effort it takes to reach the state title game.
“We hope one of these days we can get over the hump and get that one last win,” Duncan said. “We”re going to keep doing what we”re doing and we keep telling the kids that another group will come and we just have to work hard at making another run at it.”
But even this group, including the Aberdeen coaching staff, needed time to recover mentally after losing 10-8 to Forest High in the Class 3A final. You see, when you lose once, you realize it was a surprise — even to yourself — to make it that far.
When you return to the title game the following year and lose again, it becomes frustrating.
“You had to go back and figure out what went wrong,” Duncan said. “What happened here; we were a player away, a field goal away.
“You basically had to go back and say, ”Guys, things happen for a reason and this year, guys, we”re going to get it this year. We need to get back to work.” ”
Until the Bulldogs create their 2011 motto, Duncan is leaning on an old but proven phrase, one that keeps him motivated: “If you keep knocking at the door,” Duncan said, “you”re eventually going to knock it down.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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