Prairie High School football coach James Young-Lewis said his team’s perseverance is beginning to pay off after the Falcons earned a 21-17 victory over the Shelton Highclimbers on Friday, Oct. 23, extending their winning streak to two games.
In his first season at the helm, Young-Lewis said the past two weeks have demonstrated what can happen when a young team commits to the process and continues working through adversity.
“Man, it means everything. We talk about being able to understand it's a process, and we go through the downs, we have to keep competing, we have to keep battling,” Young-Lewis said.
The Falcons adjusted their practice approach over the past two weeks after an 0-6 start to the year, emphasizing physicality and maintaining full intensity throughout the week. Young-Lewis said the changes are beginning to translate into better performances on Friday nights.
“And it's starting to pay off with how we're playing in the games,” he continued, “and I think they're starting to figure out, with such a young team, man, they're starting to see the fruits of their labor.”
Prairie endured a difficult opening stretch, but Young-Lewis said the coaching staff used those early setbacks to evaluate personnel and find combinations that better fit the team.
“Man, just thinking about what's positive, right? We always say, ‘Hey, it's either you're winning or you're learning,’” he said. “We learned a lot throughout the last six weeks about, ‘Hey, what's not working?’”
The Falcons have since found greater consistency across their lineup, with contributions from special teams, defense and the running game helping secure the victory over Shelton.
Young-Lewis credited defensive coach Jack Gibson for bringing energy and developing a plan the players have embraced. He also highlighted Jarell Jones' explosiveness as an all-around athlete. Jones, a basketball player playing football for the first time this season, made a house call in the first quarter after returning a kickoff for a touchdown.
“For him to have that opportunity to take one to the house was special,” Young-Lewis said.
Offensively, Prairie leaned on its offensive line and two running backs to establish the ground game and create opportunities downfield for the budding passing game with sophomore Nolan Brame at quarterback. Young-Lewis said the players' willingness to work together has been a key part of the team's improvement.
“Tonight we showed what can happen when we are able to trust our guys up front to do what they do and our running backs run hard and they all love each other,” he said. “They don't care who gets to shine.”
With the recent victories, Young-Lewis said the Falcons are focused on continuing to improve rather than just being satisfied with their recent success.
“We have a mindset of, ‘Hey, we've earned nothing. Like we always have to reset and it's going to be able to figure out how we can be better this week than we were last week,” he said.
With a young roster and more opportunities ahead, Young-Lewis said the program is working to establish a foundation that can sustain future success.
“It means a lot, man, because we have the opportunity to rebuild what Prairie football is,” he said of having a stack of talented underclassmen on his roster.
Young-Lewis said the team's long-term goal is to build a culture that reaches beyond the regular season and eventually produces a championship-caliber program.
“But that's the process. And we see the fruits of the labor coming to life for us,” he said.
The Falcons will conclude the regular season seeking a third consecutive win as they take on the Mountain View Thunder on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at District Stadium.
