The Bellevue East football field is bumping with energy. Everyone is decked out in outfits that match the game’s theme, music is blasting, and everyone is cheering, for a good reason too. The JV team is still undefeated, and the younger players are stepping up and making a name for themselves while the seniors are helping them figure things out.

New freshman player Clayton Blaha used to be the ballboy and is now one of the most promising players on the field. He has gained respect from older players and has even had varsity time.

“I thought it was going to be easier but when I got out there I realized how fast the game really was and I had to just get the ball to people and try my hardest,” Blaha said.

By playing or even just watching football, it is clear the sport is not just about skill, it is about showing up, learning and proving anyone can make their mark if they work for it. The seniors notice the team’s potential and are happy to help and guide the younger players.

“The seniors around me really push me to do my best in the varsity, and they really help me throughout that, like keeping my head up after I threw my interception against Papillion,” Blaha said.

Being a leader works for Devon, his attitude and mindset toward the sport set the tone for the team. He leads by example and the younger players watch what he does. The seniors are involved and are helping the team in any way they can, showing the younger boys that they can push themselves and become better players on and off the field.

“It is really just being me just playing football, it is not that hard being a leader,” senior Devon Smith said.

The team has had many team building activities and group bonding sessions this season alone. They get to eat at team dinners with their teammates every night before a game. Coming up, they will have the banquet where they present awards. They have been able to make so many great memories together as a team. 

“Beating Omaha Northwest and celebrating in the locker room and the team dinners have been legendary. We’ve made some great memories,” senior Rocky Brown said.

According to head coach Aaron Thumann, the program is really heading in the right direction this season and moving forward. The whole team is on board with working to shape the future of Bellevue East’s football program, which are the younger players. In the next few years, Thumann expects to see a lot of impressive growth and performances from the team.

“I know a lot of people get stuck with what the scoreboard says,” Thumann said. “I know it’s not easy to look past that, but we really have made a ton of progress and growth in our team. The progress we’re seeing is looking really, really good for the future of our program. I actually see it.”