(Article by Staunton News Leader's Patrick Hite)
STUARTS DRAFT - Stuarts Draft football may have had a disappointing ending to the 2016 season, falling two points shy of advancing to the state championship, but looking back there's no doubt last year was a success for the Cougars.
Stuarts Draft finished the regular season last year unbeaten, knocking off Riverheads in the final game before the playoffs began for both squads. Draft then picked up three more dominating wins before finally falling to Richlands 24-23 in the state semifinals. It was the first state semifinal for Draft football since 1995.
As the 2017 season gets ready to begin, the Cougars are hoping to build on last year's success. It won't be easy. Graduation took a toll on Draft football, with eight first-team members of The News Leader's All-City/County team ending their high school football careers with that loss to Richlands.
But Draft coach Nathan Floyd is excited about this year's team. The coach discussed the five keys he believes will be needed if Draft has another successful season. Floyd doesn't determine success by wins and losses. Instead, to him, his players are on a journey and he is helping them get there.
Stuarts Draft running back Brady Ward looks for some open space in the Cougars' scrimmage against Alleghany Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
One way he helps is teaching them the five keys, or pillars, of his program. It's based on the same five that Tony Bennett teaches his University of Virginia basketball team.
1. Humility
"With success, sometimes people get overconfident," Floyd said. "You can't be overconfident. You have to just see your strengths, see your weaknesses and work on those weaknesses."
2. Passion
"They have to be, every day in practice, willing to do what's asked of them," Floyd said. "It's not going to be fun, but they need to be passionate and energetic about it."
Stuarts Draft defenders bring down an Alleghany running back Friday, Aug. 18, in a scrimmage. The Cougars start their regular season Aug. 25 against at Waynesboro. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
3. Unity
"You've got to be one," Floyd said. "There's 11 individuals on the team, on the field at one time, but they have to work together. If you can't then you're going to struggle."
4. Servanthood
"You've got to learn to sacrifice," Floyd said. "I love servant leadership. We make our seniors do most of the work here. They clean up the equipment after practice. I think that trickles down and shows the young guys how to work."
Stuarts Draft's Antonio Ruiz-Haynes (right) returns for his junior season and will be a big part of the Cougars defense. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
5. Thankfulness
"We're thankful for the good times," Floyd said. "And we learn how to deal with rough times."
Floyd has seen his players improve with all five pillars throughout his time as head coach.
"I truly believe that, if we stand up and do what's right with those five pillars," Floyd said, "the wins will come."
2017 Stuarts Draft schedule
08-25-17 — at Waynesboro, 7 p.m.
09-01-17 — Fort Defiance, 7 p.m.
09-08-17 — Riverheads, 7 p.m.
09-15-17 — at Page County, 7 p.m.
09-22-17 — Bye
09-29-17 — vs. East Rockingham, at JMU, 6 p.m.
10-06-17 — at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m.
10-13-17 — Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
10-20-17 — at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m.
10-27-17 — Luray, 7 p.m.
11-03-17 — at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m.
STUARTS DRAFT - Stuarts Draft football may have had a disappointing ending to the 2016 season, falling two points shy of advancing to the state championship, but looking back there's no doubt last year was a success for the Cougars.
Stuarts Draft finished the regular season last year unbeaten, knocking off Riverheads in the final game before the playoffs began for both squads. Draft then picked up three more dominating wins before finally falling to Richlands 24-23 in the state semifinals. It was the first state semifinal for Draft football since 1995.
As the 2017 season gets ready to begin, the Cougars are hoping to build on last year's success. It won't be easy. Graduation took a toll on Draft football, with eight first-team members of The News Leader's All-City/County team ending their high school football careers with that loss to Richlands.
But Draft coach Nathan Floyd is excited about this year's team. The coach discussed the five keys he believes will be needed if Draft has another successful season. Floyd doesn't determine success by wins and losses. Instead, to him, his players are on a journey and he is helping them get there.
Stuarts Draft running back Brady Ward looks for some open space in the Cougars' scrimmage against Alleghany Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
One way he helps is teaching them the five keys, or pillars, of his program. It's based on the same five that Tony Bennett teaches his University of Virginia basketball team.
1. Humility
"With success, sometimes people get overconfident," Floyd said. "You can't be overconfident. You have to just see your strengths, see your weaknesses and work on those weaknesses."
2. Passion
"They have to be, every day in practice, willing to do what's asked of them," Floyd said. "It's not going to be fun, but they need to be passionate and energetic about it."
Stuarts Draft defenders bring down an Alleghany running back Friday, Aug. 18, in a scrimmage. The Cougars start their regular season Aug. 25 against at Waynesboro. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
3. Unity
"You've got to be one," Floyd said. "There's 11 individuals on the team, on the field at one time, but they have to work together. If you can't then you're going to struggle."
4. Servanthood
"You've got to learn to sacrifice," Floyd said. "I love servant leadership. We make our seniors do most of the work here. They clean up the equipment after practice. I think that trickles down and shows the young guys how to work."
Stuarts Draft's Antonio Ruiz-Haynes (right) returns for his junior season and will be a big part of the Cougars defense. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
5. Thankfulness
"We're thankful for the good times," Floyd said. "And we learn how to deal with rough times."
Floyd has seen his players improve with all five pillars throughout his time as head coach.
"I truly believe that, if we stand up and do what's right with those five pillars," Floyd said, "the wins will come."
2017 Stuarts Draft schedule
08-25-17 — at Waynesboro, 7 p.m.
09-01-17 — Fort Defiance, 7 p.m.
09-08-17 — Riverheads, 7 p.m.
09-15-17 — at Page County, 7 p.m.
09-22-17 — Bye
09-29-17 — vs. East Rockingham, at JMU, 6 p.m.
10-06-17 — at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m.
10-13-17 — Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
10-20-17 — at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m.
10-27-17 — Luray, 7 p.m.
11-03-17 — at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m.
