Lefors focused on building a positive mindset, building towards future
When Cameron Armstrong took over as head coach of the Lefors football team, the first thing he set out to change had nothing to do with X's and O's.
“Our big focus is that we have to change our mindset and work ethic by putting in more time," he said. "The kids really started buying into that in the spring and it started to trickle down into the summer.”
The Pirates are coming off a season in which they went just 3-6 overall.
They bring back five of their eight players from last year, but face a daunting district schedule which includes games against Groom and Silverton. Competing for a district title will be challenging in 2022, but Armstrong is instilling the habits necessary to build a winner.
There's also still plenty of reason to watch the Pirates in 2022 regardless of the win and loss numbers.
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The biggest reason to watch is returning running back Louis Fulton. Though he's listed at 5-foot-6, and just 130 pounds, Armstrong insists that Fulton plays much bigger than that.
"He plays like a monster, causes problems for opponents and he’s had a great summer," Armstrong said. "He’s put on some muscle, added strength and gotten a little faster, but he’s a key in our offense and defense. He doesn’t know that he’s a leader, but he’s a silent leader that leads by example. He’s been to every single workout and never misses anything. He’s the kid that everyone looks up to and he’s setting a good example for us.”
Armstrong also singled out quarterback Kade Parks, who takes over under center full time after playing more of a Swiss army knife role in the past. His leadership skills have helped him stand out in addition to his athleticism.
"(We played him all over the place) in preparation so that he could understand the offense," Armstrong said. "I think the kids have a lot of faith in him and so does the coaching staff.”
Ben Schroeder is back after starting at center as a freshman. He'll be joined by Braxton Lee-Jones, who saw spot playing time last year, and Thomas Porter, who will be far more fresh this year. Armstrong says they will rely on younger, bigger bodied players on the offensive line while the defensive line will rotate depending on who the Pirates are playing.
The biggest challenge Lefors will face is the district that it plays in.
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Should they progress as far as they hope by the time the season starts, the gauntlet will still remain. Don't expect the Pirates to simply roll over, though. Armstrong was adamant that this team is capable of more than many would expect.
“I don’t think anyone is looking at us and we’re definitely in a rebuilding year with a lot of guys in new roles, but they’ve taken really well to it," Armstrong said. "They’ve worked hard this summer and I expect to surprise some people in our district.”
As Armstrong said, it's a rebuilding year.
There's a lot work to do and with a tough schedule wins may be hard to come by. Still, the Pirates are putting the work in and doing the little things they need to in order to develop a quality program. In time, that should translate to wins.
“What I want to see from this group is persistence," Armstrong said. "They’ve got a lot of heart, but sometimes when we get down, we get really down. I want to see us learn how overcome (adversity) because we’re going to get down with our backs against the wall. I just want to know how we’re going to respond to it.”
LEFORS PIRATES
Head coach: Cameron Armstrong
2021 record: 3-7 overall, 1-3 in district
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 4-2
Last playoff appearance: 2019
Returning Lettermen: 5
Top returners: Louis Fulton, Kade Parks
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: at Wildorado, 7 p.m.
Sep. 2: at Miami, 7:00 p.m.
Sep. 9: vs. Follett, 7:00 p.m.
Sep. 16: vs McLean, 7:00 p.m.
Sep. 23: OPEN
Sep. 29: at White Deer JV, 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 7: vs. Silverton, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 14: at Hedley, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 21: OPEN
Oct. 28: vs Groom, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 4: at Darrouzett, 7 p.m.
* - Denotes district game
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Lefors football focused on a positive mindset, building towards future
