The Johnson Governors' spirit is high, heading to their game against Fridley on Oct. 7 with renewed hope.

The season started out rough and – with Johnson losing both their first three games of the season along with little school spirit proceeding their homecoming game – the rest of the season seemed bleak. Despite this, the team pulled through and won their homecoming game, thanks to their determination to win.

Winning their homecoming game really had a turnaround effect on the Johnson team, giving the Govies a boost of pride that had been dwindling since coming back from the pandemic. Now filled with more enthusiasm for the rest of the season, the team — mostly made up of underclassmen — are not only preparing for their game against Fridley but also striving to give their few seniors a final season they can remember.

Elijah Knox, one of only seven seniors on the team, opened up to us about the current season and gave us some insight on the team’s feelings.

“It wasn't a great start,” said Elijah Knox, “but everything is starting to click. We’re going to start winning more games here soon.”

The Governors witnessed a massive blow in athletic numbers since returning from the pandemic and are just beginning to recover this year, explaining why the make-up of this year’s football team is mainly freshman.

“I love it,” Knox said. “I get to teach the younger guys what to do, tell them what not to do, I've been through all that process and it’s good being a role model for them.”

“Us seniors have to step up,” agreed Sean Vang, another senior on the team. “Especially since we’re close to each other, just got to do what you got to do with it.”

The team didn’t only lose numbers because of the pandemic but also mourned the passing of their beloved assistant coach Bars, whom many of the now-seniors were close to.

“He taught me a lot.” Knox shared, “I really grew as a man and as a football player because of him. His passing definitely played a big part in me playing football. I really used it as a motivation to get up, go to work, and do it for him.”

Though most of the members on the current team didn’t meet coach Bars, they understand the significance that his presence had on their seniors. The team has held memorials in honor of their coach, keeping him close to their hearts.

The team spirit is the best it's been since coming back, and fighting to begin a winning streak, the Governors are ready to give Fridley their all.

“They’re a top tier school, and though last year we didn’t do so well against them,” Sean Vang commented, “we have new freshmen and new sophomores that will be able to play and seniors that can step it up and hopefully we can give them a good match.”

“We’re going to compete and bring our best and hopefully we come out with a dub.”