The varsity football team has won 2 out of 5 games as of Oct. 13., with victories over Meadowdale and Everett, both of which the team also beat last year. Despite a challenging season, the team remains motivated to improve. 

Quarterback and linebacker junior Gavin Krambrink (he/him) said a major strength of the team this year is their ability to respond to challenge, referencing the second half of their game against Liberty, where they were down 7-28.

“We had two of our three drives — scoring drives — coming off of adversity. And knowing how to deal with that adversity, not having it just totally control you is important,” Krambrink said. 

Senior captain running back and linebacker Christian Solomana (he/him) added that he believes the team may be on an upward trajectory since their first win against Meadowdale on Sept. 23.

“You know, we just got that first win. So we just gotta keep going,” Solomana said. “I feel like last year was the same thing. We started 0-2 and then got our first win against Meadowdale. So we just gotta see what happens in the future.”

Krambrink said that the team is more focused on the game itself this year, and coach Marcus Carr has tried to keep the players focused on football during the off season, through lifting weights and conditioning.  

“I’d say it’s more about football and less about having fun. Where last year, the seniors were all very close friends, so they’d all hang out together and everything. This year, it’s less about having fun and more about winning, or trying to win games,” Krambrink said. 

A key component of the team’s motivation comes from the fans, particularly the student section. When the team is losing, Krambrink said he can always count on the fans’ cheers to restore his energy. 

“When you’re out there, and you’re down 28 at halftime and then you hear them still chanting and enjoying being out there, it’s a big boost to you,” Krambrink said. “They’re not just giving up and leaving. They still care and are out there having fun, which is how we should be acting. It sets a tone.”

Krambrink even said that Inglemoor fans are more consistent and supportive than other schools. 

“The fans still come out every year whereas Bothell and North Creek, they’re big schools. They’re much bigger than us and they win more games, but their crowds are still smaller,” Krambrink said. 

Additionally, Krambrink attributes the team’s cohesiveness to the team captains, seniors Jarod McFerrran, Matteus Senna, Christian Solomana and Dionisi Varvarigos.

“They’re the ones that keep the spirits up and make sure it’s still lively at practice,” Krambrink said. “And they make sure it’s an environment where people are enjoying each other.”