This captain is going into the football season with confidence and a good attitude. Senior Reid Stec has been through an injury and recovered to become the captain of the football team.
“My sophomore year I was at practice the day before school was starting,” Stec said. “We were doing a team offense and I ran a play. I tried to break down and my knees just gave out and dislocated the growth plate in both my knees.”
Stec said it was devastating to play ball his sophomore year, but it also had impact on him beyond the playing field.
“It was hard on me mentally to trust my body again,” Stec said. “And physically I still get to points where I don’t really feel the same as I did before.”
Stec said it was a long journey for him to get back to his workout routine, but the work paid off and he is now one of the best players on the field. Despite all the progress Stec has made, he said he doesn’t plan on playing ball anymore after graduation.
“I’m probably going to go to UNL,” Stec said. “I don’t really know what I want to study yet but I don’t want to play football in college.”
This does not change how Stec plans this season will be, however. The new people who have been part of the team give the captain a lot of hope. With his positive attitude, Stec will do everything in his power to make every goal happen his senior year.
“I think the new coaching staff is a big part of why I have a positive outcome for the season,” Stec said. “I really like the new coaching staff, they all know what they are talking about and how to prepare.”
Stec said he feels the team will be on a steady road with new coach, Wade McVay, and his team. Luckily for Stec, he can say the same with his grades his senior year while he balances being a captain and taking his senior level classes.
“I am just taking two AP classes this year,” Stec said. “I don’t think my classes and my grades will affect how I play.”
Since Stec has a good routine of school-work and athletics, he has helpful things to share with other athletes who may want to see how this role model is so successful.
“I would just say use your time wisely,” Stec said. “Use your study hall and also the time you have at home after school.”
It helps Stec to not have to worry much about anything else except for his passion in football and keeping his GPA up. This senior does no other school activities so he can solely focus on the two most important parts of his high school career.
“I have a job at Hy-Vee that I only work on the weekends,” Stec said. “So because I don’t work during the week that means I can do everything else I need to get done during that time.”
Even with everything Stec has been through, and a new coach coming into the game, he has a very positive prediction for the season.
“I think we will have a winning record this year,” Stec said. “I am hoping for a playoff win or at least a playoff game, but I definitely think we can win a playoff game, or two.”
