KEARNS High football faces tough odds, ranked 98th of 108 Utah schools. Kearns definitely underperforms, and saying that is without a doubt an understatement. Many people still question whether it’s still worth putting effort in due to these statistics. Players at Kearns High train to their best ability, yet they still do poorly in games against players, and many people wonder why do it if the team isn’t winning any games? What keeps these players pushing to succeed on a team that has only won a single game in the season?
KEARNS High School football coach, John Rowbotham (Coach Row), is an inspiration to many players on his team. His career in the industry started over two decades ago, and Row is still working as hard as ever. His passion for coaching students comes from back when he played football. His inspirations were always his coaches, and they always pushed him to be his best self, which inspired him to be that inspiration for others. As of now, he is currently in his 40s and is still ongoing with his coaching and doesn’t plan to stop. His passion is very evident as he has been coaching since the age of 19.
COACH Row’s players are all insanely dedicated to making themselves better for their careers. Some of these players are more talented than others, such as Niko Manusina-Faamausili (12), who goes above and beyond with the positions he plays. Since the team is short on players and a majority of the students who play are younger students, Niko plays multiple positions during a game, which, without him, Kearns would be doing much worse as a team. Niko’s main motivation for playing football is for his family. He’s lost so many family members in his life, and he knows if he makes it far, he will be able to make them proud and feel accomplished doing the sport his family loved.
KAI Spencer (12) who is an Outside Linebacker on the team, has been playing since he was young. His main motivation was always to be someone who could defend himself. If he stayed small and never joined a physical contact sport, he knew that he’d be able to be messed with a lot. Football has significantly improved Kai’s confidence, and his coaches have taught him how to bring that confidence to the field. The reason he keeps playing is that his family loves football, and he has good faith that he could make it far within the sport. He has great faith in his abilities and will definitely make it far in the pathway he chooses after high school.
KARIM Bustos (10) had an inspiring take on his sport and what keeps him playing. He talked about how football is the way he finds the most happiness in his life, and he doesn’t see anything ever changing that. He wants football to be a career and would do anything to stay on this track in life, so that he can one day play for a college team and eventually coach others, just as his coaches were for him. His family has faith in him, and as he states, “it’s all in God’s favor”. Karim knows whether a path opens up from coaching to sports medicine, there is a very bright future ahead in Karim’s life.
THE players all have great faith in their future games to come, and they are watching the videos, running the routes, and training as hard as possible to ensure more victories in the near future. The Kearns Cougars are watching their health, keeping their mind sharp, and perfecting their craft to make sure their future stays bright. The main pattern with Coach Row’s team is their dedication to the game, regardless of what the scoreboard turns up, they always put in their best effort. They continue to train and improve themselves for the game, and many students will go far in the sport. Their motivation is unmatched, and many schools would love to take these players in to play in the near future.
