The JV football team is full of new faces this year. On top of the new players on the team, a lot of the staffing has changed too. The new coaches are excited to work with the teams and learn about MVHS. But coach Marlon Spencer doesn’t just watch football. He doesn’t just like football. It’s life to him. Spencer shares why he loves the sport and his goals as a new coach.
El Estoque: What’s unique about football?
Marlon Spencer: It’s a combination of two things. It’s unique in the aspect that it requires aggression, teamwork, camaraderie and dedication. The nonuniqueness of it is teamwork, dedication and wanting to get better. It’s real life to me. It’s like chess because you’re trying to out think your opponent as much as you can.
EE: What happens at a typical practice?
Spencer: On Saturday, we view our game’s tape and critique it. Monday through Thursday are spent on applying what they learned from their tape to the field to prepare for the game on Friday.
EE: What is it like to watch a game as a coach?
Spencer: Very nerve wracking and intense. It’s very stressful, so I try not to let the kids see me sweat. We hope that what we practiced will be what is close to perfect in the game. It’s all about being flexible, but sticking to your game plan.
EE: Why did you choose to coach football?
Spencer: I played backyard football, Pop Warner, and then played starter for three years of high school. I went to college and played football for three weeks, but then decided that baseball would be a better sport for me. I coach football because I like baseball, but I am in love with football. I like the team aspect of football. Football parallels life for me.
EE: What are you looking forward to this season?
Spencer: Mostly, what I’m looking forward to this season is getting to know this group of individuals and getting to learn about their enthusiasm for all of the sports team here. I hope to build a career around this. I know that football is a good sport here, and I hope to make it great. I hope to have young men and women to come back out and do it again.
EE: Has anything changed this season?
Spencer: The faces. The culture around here seems to be a lot of players coming out more enthusiastic. The players from last year say that this year is more of a learning experience, and they’re having a lot of fun learning how to play and being able to compete. We were at the first division last year, and now we’re at the upper division, so we’re definitely being asked to step up to the plate.
EE: What’s your advice for anyone that wants to play football?
Spencer: Try it.
MVHS football’s next home game will be against Palo Alto High School on Oct. 17 at 7:30 PM.
