By Kelsey Hamilton
Carrboro Commons Staff Writer

The traditional glory of high school football may be defined by your team reaching the impressive state championship or defeating a rival on homecoming night. But the football team at Carrboro High School, only in its second season, cannot boast any of these accomplishments, yet it provides the school and community with more than just a check in the win or loss column.

Nick Swartzwellder, in the middle wearing a hat, cheers with his fellow classmates during the homecoming game against Northwood High School. He is a senior and president of the Carrboro Crazies, a student spirit group dedicated to showing excitement and support for all sporting events.
Staff photo by Kelsey Hamilton

Carrboro High lost to Northwood High School, 48-30, on Homecoming night Friday, Sept. 26, but played competitively and showed a big improvement in the score; Northwood defeated the Jaguars, 80-0, last season.

“We are very positive about the way the season is progressing,” said Jason Tudryn, head football coach of Carrboro High. “Obviously, we would like to have more wins, but we understand that all victories can’t really be based on the scoreboard.”

While Carrboro High now holds a record of 0-6 after the loss, the lack of wins did not prevent students, parents, faculty and members of the community from coming out to support the Jaguars against Northwood, who now holds a record of 5-1. In the second year of the school’s history, the players and coaches understand that building a football tradition takes time.

Students from Carrboro High showed their excitement and dedication to their school by cheering from the stands. MacKenzie Price, senior and president of student government at Carrboro High, says he thought it was exciting to see everyone come out and support the team.

Mae Arant, parent of two football players, Evan and Dylan, and the head football representative at Carrboro, says she believes that the improvement of the team is remarkable and emphasizes the value of looking beyond the scoreboard.

“The players are very loyal to each other,” Arant said. “They all hang out with one another. This is not the typical kind of football team.”

The football team held a trunk show Saturday, Sept. 27, to help raise money and to encourage the community to interact and support the team. Andrew Knapp, sophomore wide receiver and safety for Carrboro High, says he thinks that the development of the team comes from spending time together on and off the field.

“Last year, we were still trying to get to know each other,” said Knapp. “This year, we have been through a lot of camps and other things. Most of the kids are friends off the field.”

Chris Knapp, mother of Andrew Knapp, says she has noticed how hard the team is working and has witnessed the dedication of the players firsthand.

“I think that they are growing tremendously, and they don’t even realize it,” said Chris Knapp, who is also the co-vice president of the Booster Club at Carrboro High. “Winning is great, but it is almost a bonus.”

The loyalty and dedication of the parents should not be overlooked either, according to Tudryn. The hard work of the parents is not just evident on game nights. Parents plan pre-game and post-game dinners, fundraising activities and community events. The trunk show was planned and executed by the help of dedicated parents, including Mae Arant and Chris Knapp.

Tudryn says he believes that the team is part of something that is bigger than just playing football.
The scoreboard cannot reflect what the team is doing off the field as well. Even though it is only the second football season, the team has embraced the community, according to Tudryn.

“I see great things in the future for this team in connection with the community because I think we need to work hand in hand,” Tudryn said.

According to students, parents and faculty, the tradition of Carrboro High School football is being shaped by a dedicated group eager to establish a successful and rewarding program at the school.

“If you watched us every week, you would see an extreme improvement,” Tudryn said. “Each week we have gotten better. Our kids are doing a great job believing in the path that we are on.”