Find out what some of the top athletes in the state are saying about sports now!
Q&A with Southeast Polk defensive tackle Obald Niyonkuru
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Season has been going great so far, the team has been playing well but we still have not played our best football game yet.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“For the most part I have, but there are a few things that I need to work on to put it all together.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“Our team has played very well, going 8-1. Like I said before we still haven’t played our best game of football which is the exciting part.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“I feel like our team needs to work on putting all 3 phases of the game together throughout all 4 quarters.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“One of the main things our team is focused on going forward is preparation. Our coaches always tell us ‘the game is won Sunday-Thursday'. This is a big focus because the more prepared team is usually the team that succeeds.”
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Q&A with Spencer offensive lineman Kaleb Cline
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Season has been going really well. We’ve had two tough losses but we’ve got a very talented team which if we play well can go very far.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“I’m never going to be pleased. I’m always going to be chasing the best version of myself which is my team's motto. There is always room for improvement and the most important thing is to make sure I’m getting better each week.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“I feel that we’ve played well this season and we’ve made it to the playoffs but we have not showcased all of our talent yet. We’ve played very physical and fast but we haven’t had our best game and there’s no better time than the playoffs.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“One of the biggest things we need to improve on is making sure we have a winning mentality. The mental state of football is very important and we need to make sure going into the playoffs that we are always confident and ready for anything that comes our way. I think making sure we have a confident mentality would fix all of our problems we are having on the field.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“Making sure everyone is gaining in the offseason. All coaches say it and know that all gains are made in the offseason. Not only in the weight room but also socially. I believe the strongest teams have a strong bond with each other. That bond develops a family who will fight for each other and push each other and win for each other and not for themselves.”
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Q&A with Alta-Aurelia offensive guard Roman Napierala
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I’d say it went very well considering we lost 13 seniors the previous year and added a new offense.”
What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m going to run track in the spring and do sprints and lifting.”
How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I’m very confident that we will be a lot better than we currently are as a team with the second year in this offense.”
What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Hartley Melvin Sanborn, they have a lot of size and speed.”
Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“As long as we have a good week in practice it doesn't matter who’s on the other side of the ball.”
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Q&A with Cedar Rapids Kennedy defensive end Caelum Jones
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Really well! We’ve been playing well and staying focused.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“I think I've played well. My goal is just to get better every day and help make my team better.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“Great, we've worked really hard since June to get where we are.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“We need to stay focused on us and go home [to the] dome.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“Continuing to play as a team.”
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Q&A with Boyden-Hull defensive end Brock Fisher
How has everything been going football wise as of late?
“Fantastic, we’re just getting started.”
Going forward, what do you feel your team can continue to improve on?
“Focus during practice.”
Have you been pleased with your performances?
“Pleased? Sure. Satisfied? No.”
How do you feel about the play of your team?
“It seems like we play better and better each week.”
What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“Really just focused on this season, we want to play as long as we can and have as much fun as we can.”
..............................................
Q&A with Southeast Polk defensive tackle Obald Niyonkuru
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Season has been going great so far, the team has been playing well but we still have not played our best football game yet.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“For the most part I have, but there are a few things that I need to work on to put it all together.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“Our team has played very well, going 8-1. Like I said before we still haven’t played our best game of football which is the exciting part.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“I feel like our team needs to work on putting all 3 phases of the game together throughout all 4 quarters.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“One of the main things our team is focused on going forward is preparation. Our coaches always tell us ‘the game is won Sunday-Thursday'. This is a big focus because the more prepared team is usually the team that succeeds.”
..............................................
Q&A with Spencer offensive lineman Kaleb Cline
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Season has been going really well. We’ve had two tough losses but we’ve got a very talented team which if we play well can go very far.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“I’m never going to be pleased. I’m always going to be chasing the best version of myself which is my team's motto. There is always room for improvement and the most important thing is to make sure I’m getting better each week.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“I feel that we’ve played well this season and we’ve made it to the playoffs but we have not showcased all of our talent yet. We’ve played very physical and fast but we haven’t had our best game and there’s no better time than the playoffs.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“One of the biggest things we need to improve on is making sure we have a winning mentality. The mental state of football is very important and we need to make sure going into the playoffs that we are always confident and ready for anything that comes our way. I think making sure we have a confident mentality would fix all of our problems we are having on the field.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“Making sure everyone is gaining in the offseason. All coaches say it and know that all gains are made in the offseason. Not only in the weight room but also socially. I believe the strongest teams have a strong bond with each other. That bond develops a family who will fight for each other and push each other and win for each other and not for themselves.”
..............................................
Q&A with Alta-Aurelia offensive guard Roman Napierala
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I’d say it went very well considering we lost 13 seniors the previous year and added a new offense.”
What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m going to run track in the spring and do sprints and lifting.”
How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I’m very confident that we will be a lot better than we currently are as a team with the second year in this offense.”
What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Hartley Melvin Sanborn, they have a lot of size and speed.”
Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“As long as we have a good week in practice it doesn't matter who’s on the other side of the ball.”
..............................................
Q&A with Cedar Rapids Kennedy defensive end Caelum Jones
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Really well! We’ve been playing well and staying focused.”
Have you been pleased with how you have played this season?
“I think I've played well. My goal is just to get better every day and help make my team better.”
How do you feel your team has played?
“Great, we've worked really hard since June to get where we are.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“We need to stay focused on us and go home [to the] dome.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“Continuing to play as a team.”
..............................................
Q&A with Boyden-Hull defensive end Brock Fisher
How has everything been going football wise as of late?
“Fantastic, we’re just getting started.”
Going forward, what do you feel your team can continue to improve on?
“Focus during practice.”
Have you been pleased with your performances?
“Pleased? Sure. Satisfied? No.”
How do you feel about the play of your team?
“It seems like we play better and better each week.”
What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“Really just focused on this season, we want to play as long as we can and have as much fun as we can.”
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