The weight room at King’s Way Christian High School is a bit cramped.
It is, after all, a small school.
Still, the football players make it work.
Because, after all, they want to make football work at King’s Way Christian.
“Together as one,” senior lineman Tony Huser said, noting one of the team’s signature calls.
They cram together in that weight room, performing various drills in hopes that it will make a difference on game days.
So far, it appears that it is making a difference. The Knights, now in their second year of 11-man football, are 3-2. They just missed a 4-1 start, losing by a point in overtime to Kalama.
The Knights can play this game.
That should not be too surprising. Football is not new to the school. Just the 11-man game is new.
King’s Way Christian played 8-man football for years when the school was a Class 1B program. Now, the growing school has 2B enrollment numbers but plays a 1A schedule.
“It’s not like this is our second year of football,” King’s Way Christian coach Luke Gillock said. “Had we started from scratch, we would have had a much slower start.”
At King’s Way Christian, they train together, practice together, play together, and pray together.
“It feels like a second family within the school,” quarterback Liam Nabors said. “It’s like playing with your brothers.”
The 11-man game just might be better suited for the family atmosphere anyway.
“In 8-man, if you have one talented player, you can run the table,” senior fullback and linebacker Dustin Johnson said. “It takes all kinds of people to win in 11-man.”
Which is why the weight room is so much more important now, the Knights said. Years ago, participation was encouraged but not necessarily stressed. Now, during the season, it is a part of the weekly routine. In the offseason, it is expected that players make the time to improve their bodies.
“It’s another aspect of football,” said receiver and defensive back Judah Smith. “It’s a fun part of football, too.”
A strong football foundation begins in the weight room.
Having an independent schedule for the first two seasons of 11-man football also has aided the Knights, giving the coaches and players time to adjust. It is not just a simple case of adding three players to the field, Gillock said. Football is about trying to find a numbers advantage. That was easy in the 8-man game, he said. Not so much now. So the schemes have changed dramatically.
The Knights have made a big leap, too, from Year 1 to Year 2.
“When a football player gains confidence and understanding, it allows him to play at a higher level,” Gillock said. “We are seeing our players improve their football IQ.”
They also are putting up some big numbers. Nabors is third in the region in passing yards — with one less games played than the leaders. (King’s Way had a bye in Week 5.) Nabors threw for 442 yards and five touchdowns in Week 6. Receiver Matt Garrison had 228 yards and three TD catches.
Still, no matter how the Knights fare the rest of the season, there will not be a playoff berth. Because of their independent schedule, King’s Way had to win six games this season, including all three of their contests against Trico League opponents, in order to get to the playoffs. That did not happen.
“It’s disappointing,” Nabors said. “At the same time, we showed we can compete with anyone. And no matter what, we’re staying together as a team.”
Next year, the plan is to be a full-time member of the Trico League.
“It’s a big future for King’s Way,” Smith said.
Even this year’s seniors are looking forward to next year and beyond.
“King’s Way is a rising program and a force to be reckoned with in the years to come,” Huser said.
Johnson is proud of being part of the school’s transition to the 11-man game. He hopes younger Knights will look up to this group of seniors and say they want to be better. And wherever Johnson will be, he will be sending good vibes to King’s Way Christian players.
“They’ll always be on my mind,” Johnson said. “I’ll be praying for the team.”
