2018 Enloe Football: A Story of Community, Dedication, and Heart
The Enloe Eagle's defense lines up against the Broughton Capitals October 5, 2018 on Homecoming night. The Eagles would go on to win the game 21-19 with a game-saving interception by Junior Daekwon Rodgers. Photo by Jai Das @jaidasphotography on Instagram.
On September 28, heading into the game against Millbrook High School, Enloe was 5-0, the only undefeated team in the Cap 7 4A Conference. Having won five straight games, the team had already surpassed any Enloe football team in recent memory, upsetting a highly-ranked Sanderson football team the week before, and continuing to uplift the Enloe community with a sense of togetherness that only sports can provide. But even as Enloe fans began trickling into the Wildcat Stadium in North Raleigh on that Friday night, there was an undoubtedly pervasive sense of criticism and mockery from the Millbrook onlookers, as if to say: "Enjoy the feeling while it lasts."
After a 21-14, nail-biting win against Millbrook, and after subsequent wins against Broughton and Southeast Raleigh, the Enloe community (both in Raleigh and a far) have been enjoying the feeling wholeheartedly. Enloe remains undefeated with an unprecedented 8-0 record, the best record in it's 55 year history.
There is a fundamental aspect to the game of football that cannot be coached, that cannot be taught, but rather is instilled in the lifeblood of the team, and that is character. Head Coach Ken Blocker explained after the Millbrook game that the reason Enloe is doing so well, the key to this season's "newfound" success, is because the coaching staff refuses to place winning above character. "Every one of these young men no matter rich or poor, have or have not, are the same because they play for what’s on their chest! We eliminate the label. So everybody here is Enloe! And if you don't got it, we are going to find a way to get it. That’s why we are winning," exclaimed Coach Blocker.
This theme of character and commitment for a unified goal is echoed by several players on the team, including Junior Corner Back John Wright, who made a game-saving interception against Sanderson, September 21. "Really what it comes down to is your mindset, your heart, and your desire to win," said Wright.
Eagle Club VP Malik McFadden (Senior) supports the Eagles at the sold out Homecoming football game October 5, 2018. Almost 2500 people were in attendance with over a hundred watching from outside the stadium. Photo by Jai Das. (@jaidasphotography)
"We don't have the numbers another football team has. We have to be prepared so we can beat the team that has 60 kids on their roster, that has depth to it, and we don't have depth. It comes down to your heart, your mindset, and your training," he said.
Matt Perez remembers when Enloe went 0-11 in 2015, his freshman year, and the dramatic turn the football program has made in just four years. "Starting out freshman year, 0-11 it was tough for everybody. I think progressively we have made steps to get better and I feel like this year is really our year. We are really starting to turn it around, around here."
Reinventing a program from scratch has been by no means an easy task, but it has been a rewarding journey, continuing to inspire students, staff, and the greater Enloe community to maintain pride in the green and gold. From reinventing how players workout and weight lift, to the infamous, grueling summer lock-in, to placing brotherhood and family in front of winning or losing, the 2018 Enloe football team is truly, according to Assistant Coach Gerald Kennedy "years of hard work coming to fruition."
With objectively the best coaching staff in the conference, Enloe's dramatic winning streak comes at no surprise to those who have been putting in the work since day one. From players and coaches, to administrative personnel, the reinvention of Enloe's football program is a product of believing in a collective goal that takes every player, every coach, every student, and every teacher to make a reality.
This 2018 season is just the beginning, a moment in Enloe history that will never be forgotten, setting a trend for years to come.
Enloe looks to take on Leesville this Friday night October 26 at Enloe 7pm. Seniors on the football team will be honored so be sure to come out and support this incredible team.
