It's More Than the Game: Wildcats Beyond the Field

Mountain View High School's impressive football program is known for its grit on the field, but what the team does off the field is just as impressive. At the start of the season, the players traded their helmets for high-fives and story time during a visit to Margaret Brent Elementary School. This event wasn't about winning plays or touchdowns: it was about giving back to the Stafford community and inspiring the next generation.

For Coach Yates, community involvement is just as important as athletic training. To him, experiences like the school visit shape his athletes into leaders beyond football, teaching them lessons that carry far past the field. As Yates said, "Service helps the players realise that their impact can be bigger than football. The biggest mission for each class is to leave your legacy. Showing young kids something that they can one day strive to be part of is a great example of this. In this case, we were able to give some support to our next generation of Wildcats! After speaking with the players, they had huge smiles on their faces. It made them feel proud of who they are, representing our program in such a positive light."

This visit was made possible thanks to Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Denno, who both spearheaded the project. Mr. Denno recalled, "The most rewarding part for sure was seeing the wide range of emotions from all of the elementary students, our football players, and even the Margaret Brent staff. It was a nice reminder that even something as simple as a morning greeting can change the trajectory of someone's day." Looking ahead, they're hopeful this won't be the last time the football team takes part in such outreach, such as the Trunk-or-Treat for MBES students at the last home football game on Friday, October 24th.

For the athletes, giving back is deeply personal. Junior Benjamin Kaupp shared how being active in community projects like these makes a difference. He said, "It feels good to help others who are not as fortunate as I am." Balancing class, practice, and volunteering isn't easy, but Ben believes that the rewards outweigh the challenges: "I have to balance my time, set my priorities, and organize a lot, but Stafford means a lot to me."

Their record may define the Mountain View High School football team during the season, but their legacy is also built on the ways they strengthen their community. Whether it's cheering up elementary school students, inspiring younger athletes, or lending a hand at local events, these players and coaches show that being part of a team means more than playing the game. For the View, Friday evening games are only one part of the story: the rest shines in the everyday moments of connection, service, and Wildcat pride.