You might hear the word STRIKE booming
throughout the halls. To a common ear, this might not
mean anything; however, to the Priory football team,
it breathes life into the program and is the backbone
of everything we do. STRIKE: Study, Train, Respond,
Improve, Know, and Effort is one word that describes our
entire program. On top of this, our core values: smart
hard work, unity, and positive energy are the glue that
keeps the team together, pushing each other harder and
harder every day.
Under Coach Swanson, practices are not only
always fun and exciting, but we also get to experience
unique, college-level preparation within our high school
program. Practices are high-energy, with a different
genre of music blasting each day. This not only keeps
everyone upbeat but also forces players to stay locked in
and focused through the noise. We also receive helmet
stickers for making big plays or having strong practices.
This instills a drive to be the best and a constant desire to
improve.
On top of this, we are provided with drone
footage of our games and practices, allowing us to
identify and improve upon both mental and physical
mistakes. Furthermore, we are pushed in the weight
room with college-level workouts, making us faster and
stronger each day.
To recap the season, the team had a rocky
start with a loss to Jefferson. However, we responded
well the next week with a strong showing against
Duchesne, beating them 43–6. Freshman Mason
Merenda had several touchdowns and a pick-six. The
Ravens’ season has faced growing pains and plenty
of adversity, including injuries that sidelined several
crucial players, among them a few seniors. The Ravens
endured a rough few weeks, losing to some conference
opponents. However, determined to improve, the
team kept grinding. This ultimately led to a big win
over Veritas, bringing the Birds up to second in Class 2
District 2. The win featured sophomore Frankie Harris
having a great game with four total touchdowns,
three through the air and one on the ground. Senior
Chuck Taylor made an instant impact in his first game,
recording a hat trick in the first half. The Birds now
have a great chance to defeat Metro League opponent
Principia at Missouri Baptist University on Friday night
under the lights.
The Ravens have a bright future ahead. With
the roster being almost 50 percent freshmen, the team
is extremely young and developing. Every week, the
players improve drastically, with many underclassmen
stepping up and making plays. On top of this, Coach
Swanson is still settling into a new system with a
new group of guys. The team will continue to grow
together as he establishes an entirely new culture built
on positive mindsets, putting God first, and always
focusing on getting better.
