Editor’s note: Soldotna will lay Kenai Central on Saturday. The Stars will be going for their 39th straight win and fourth straight state championship.
by Drew Gibbs, Soldotna High School football player
Last Saturday, we won our 38th game in a row and it felt great!
Although I was only able to play in the first game of this season, which broke the state record for consecutive wins, this season has truly been the best year of football I have been a part of. Soldotna’s head coach Galen Brantley made me an assistant coach after I got hurt. I have been coaching our team and breaking down film every day. I’ve been “running” — on crutches and leg brace — and screaming up-and-down the sideline at the games coaching my brothers up. I even went down to the “minors” to help our local Pop Warner team prepare to step into our shoes. BTW, they’re already pretty good!
My PT rehab is going really well. I got back into the gym a couple of weeks ago to work on core and upper body. OMG, it felt great to be back there!
Related: A Family Affair blog archive
It has been such a special season. My high school team has bonded. We learned so much from each other. Our alumni players come to all the games and roar for us too. We are one BIG brotherhood.
We also have the best fans in the state. They always fill the stands at both home and away games. This weekend will be completely off the hook as we face our bitter rivals, Kenai Central, this weekend. We going for our fourth consecutive state title.
I will have the opportunity to dress-out in the state championship game. We all got our heads shaved Mohawk style to uphold our state championship tradition. I will put on my Soldotna HS football uniform. I haven’t worn my uniform since the game where I was injured two months ago.
Although I will not be playing, it is a great honor to get the chance to wear my uniform again and for the last time in my career at Soldotna HS. There’s no doubt that we have an incredible legacy in the sport. I believe we are the best high school football team in the entire history of Alaska football.
My heart is about to explode… so many emotions!
The team and I are pumped! It’s going to be a great game!
Follow Drew Gibbs on Twitter @DrewGibbs28
Jeff Fisher’s Editor’s Note: Drew Gibbs and his father Trey Gibbs have agreed to write this blog — A Family Affair — for High School Football America throughout the 2015 season. It will chronicle Drew’s journey back from his injury and his determination to become a college football player.
