After first-round playoff game, Stillwater faces challenges, opportunities

In 2021, The Stillwater Ponies had an impressive regular season with a record of 7-1. Walking into playoffs, players expected them to breeze through these first couple of games as the team was ranked as the number one seed. Captain Charles Gleason said they viewed themselves as above everyone else. When facing Wayzata during section championships, Wayzata quickly knocked down the pedestal Stillwater put themselves on, and Stillwater faced a rude awakening.

The Ponies finished last season disappointed that their hard work and long hours did not result in wins on the field. Transitioning into this season, they knew something had to change.

Humility

During the first round of this year's playoffs, Stillwater, a number one seed, played Brainard, a number eight seed. Although Stillwater walked away with a 38-21 win, Brainard didn't just give them this win.

"With Brainard, it kind of humbled us a little bit," said senior captain Max Shikenjanski. "Even though they were 5-3 and an eight seed, I don't feel like they were an eight seed…they kinda gave us a run for our money."

Throughout the season, captain Timothy Weber said he could see the team consistently playing each game like it was their last. The team learned from last year that they couldn't let the glory of being conference champions or the number one seed get to their heads.

Captain Thomas Blair said that their "egos were filled," and when they got knocked out of playoffs last season, it was because they didn't take the game seriously. Since then, the mindset that no game is guaranteed when it comes to playoffs has taken complete control of the team. They have come to understand that no matter the team or their ranking, they need to put in the work in order to win.

The team faces Lakeville North in the second round of the playoffs.

Brotherhood

Up until last year, Stillwater's team dynamic was never the strongest. Stillwater had strong players, and they played well, but they lacked chemistry.

The current captains said that the knowledge given to them by last year's leaders, Mason Wilson, Jayden Leach, Edward O'Keefe, and Connor McCormick, set the example of how to bring a team together. The current captains have pushed that dynamic further to create a chemistry incomparable to anything these athletes have ever been a part of.

"When you come together, and you take those individuals, and you turn them into a family, the stuff that I know we're capable of is incredible," said Gleason.

Leadership

The captains worked to create a team built on the foundation of becoming a family. They learned from the previous year that treating each other with respect leads to the most success. However, one of the most valuable aspects of being a captain is leading by example.

"I don't really take the aspect of ‘I'm a captain, so you'll do what I say,’ but just setting the tone and having them follow it," said Blair.

This season Stillwater faced a challenge when 6 of their players were suspended from playing for two weeks. At that moment none of the captains felt like leaders. Each one felt disappointed as they believed that as captains, they could've helped prevent this.

This challenge pushed the captains to set friendships aside and put the team first. Their minds have been anchored on how they can help the team make good decisions on and off the field.

Football is no longer just a game to these athletes. Football is their legacy. The players have pushed not only their bodies past their limitations but also their minds.

"The mentality on this team is win, win, win," said Weber. "They want to win every week, and they're not going to stop until they have to."