The stadium lights shine on the field as cheerleaders and pommies dance in unison. Band sections blast horns and percussion between each play as spectators cheer from the bleachers. While most eyes follow the players sprinting down the field, it’s the coaches on the sidelines who are tasked with preparing the team for Friday night lights. For many of the 13 coaches employed by KHS, their interest in football started before their teaching careers.
Billy Graft, assistant varsity coach and PE teacher, said he enjoyed playing football in high school because it gave him an opportunity to learn and bond with his teammates. He said because of his prior experience as a player, he’s able to better connect with members of the team.
“I loved being around the guys on my team [in high school],” Graft said. “I think if [you’ve played football], you can relate a little bit better to your players. You know what they go through and [the] different experiences they might have on the field [or] life in general.”
Philip Deist, assistant varsity coach and science teacher, was also involved with the sport from a young age. He said his interest in football was heavily inspired by his father, who was his coach in high school.
“I grew up on the sidelines [and] at practice,” Deist said. “I enjoyed the camaraderie, physical nature [and] strategy of the game.”
Coaches who have teaching positions at KHS, like Jason Evans, assistant varsity coach and social studies teacher, are given the opportunity to interact with players in classroom and practice settings. He said being a coach and teacher complement each other because both jobs require giving guidance and feedback, and this dual perspective influences his approach to instructing players.
“[I try] to remember that student athletes are trying their best, and [I want to hold] them to a standard that is [equal to] the expectations of the school and the program,” Evans said. “I hope all of our players learn [how to experience] accomplishment, disappointment, perseverance [and] grit.”
Not only does football provide what Graft and Evans said is an opportunity to learn skills and lessons for players, but they also said the Turkey Day football match allows the team to experience a sense of community, motivation and pride. However, Deist said the festivities associated with this game sometimes require a more intensive approach from coaches.
“The big thing is keeping the [players] focused on the task at hand because there’s so much going on,” Deist said. “There’s just a little bit of extra [effort] when it comes to arrival and all the craziness around school during that week.”
