One time, my teammates and I went to a dance before we faced the only undefeated team in our league. We bonded like brothers there, so we knew that we were going to beat them on game night. We gave up a touchdown on the first play, and then we didn’t give up a single yard the rest of the game. We all got psyched up and started to hit like pros—just nailing the guys with abandon, not caring if we got hurt, because we just wanted to win. We won 7-6, which felt good, because we held sole possession of first place over our rival. My mom said that we should have done that every game, because she said we played like brothers on the field.

–SLBLinebacker97 Davis
Century High School
Sykesville, Maryland

We usually have a spaghetti dinner the night before a big game. Then before the game, we all crowd together with me in the middle. I yell, “Company yeehaw!,” and the team yells, “Yeehaw!”

– Brock Marvin
Elizabethtown Lewis Central High School
Elizabethtown, New York

How does your team unite before a game?

What about after victory, defeat or deep in the off-season? Is there a prayer or chant you say together before the game? A meal you share? A movie you watch? Bring it to us at [email protected]. If we like what you got, we’ll feature your team story.