Photo submitted by Kaden Updike

Kaden Updike (10) plays outside linebacker against Lindbergh in the first game of the season on Aug. 30. “I kind of feel like the first couple weeks I took it (playing on varsity) for granted, but now I’m kind of like appreciating it a little bit more,” Updike said. The Tigers lost the game 24-21 against the Flyers.

As football season comes to an end, there was a younger group of athletes taking the field on the top level — the sophomores. This year, OHS saw an increase in the amount of varsity players being a part of the sophomore class. 

“That class is really athletic. They’ve been a traditionally successful class. They’re a hardworking group,” head football coach Mike Genge said. “You know in some instances, they’ve outplayed other guys…”  

The varsity football program is bursting at the seams with about 125 players, about 40 of those being sophomores, which means 32 percent of their players are sophomores. With so many students on the team, though, it means that playtime is limited for some.

“I think we’re dressing probably 15 sophomores on the varsity level. That class is huge…” Genge said. “So it’s not unheard of for 15 to dress, and just ‘cause you dress varsity doesn’t mean you’re always going to get any [playing time].”

For those playing up, the football coaches want the players to focus on building their skills and competing against their age level. 

“We are very much what I call a process team. I always tell them ‘trust the process.’ Football is unique. Sometimes as a 14-year-old, you are physically not as mature as a 17/18-year-old,” Genge said. “So we want them to develop and have success and see that success. We don’t want to race them forward.”

Injuries can be prominent in any sport, but especially football. If two players did not get hurt, 17 sophomores would be playing on varsity at the end of this season. Jackson Oettle (10) tore his meniscus during the fifth game of the season against Seckman, ending his football season. Oettle got to play in one varsity game his freshman year as well.

“ …I remember I went because of injury to a varsity game last year, and I just remember it being really quick, really fast,” Oettle said. “It helped me understand how much higher the level of speed it is varsity level.”

Football takes up a lot of players’ time and requires effort on and off the field, as well as during the offseason. However, all of their time and dedication does not go unseen. Kaden Updike (10) got pulled up to varsity this season after putting in a ton of work outside of the regular season. 

“I just feel like it’s a big accomplishment, and a lot of the work I put in all offseason is kind of paying off,” Updike said. 

One upperclassmen, Ryan Black (12), sees the time and effort the sophomores are putting in. He thinks that because they have a great leader, Coach Genge, they will continue to be successful.

“They’re great kids. [I am] watching them succeed,” Black said. “They’ve got bright futures.”