The NCC men’s football team has entered their 2024-25 season sitting at a record of 2-0. We can’t help but wonder what their mindset is looking like coming off a playoff loss against Cortland, 37-38.
Slow feet, don’t eat
When asking Joesph Sacco, ’25, what he felt that the team could’ve done differently off the whistle against Cortland, he frequently reflects on the regret of the offense starting slow. Ultimately, penalizing the team in the end.
“As a team, I think we could’ve started off a bit faster. Our offense started off a little slow and when our offense started slowing it kind of changed the game because we are not used to starting slow,” said Sacco.
The penalties played a big role in the game. Sacco also acknowledged that he couldn’t just blame it on his teammates for that mishap.
“Personally, just outrunning the guys and trying to stay healthy better throughout the season. If I outran the two guys in the half, we would’ve gotten those two touchdowns,” said Sacco.
Sacco continues his senior season focused on being able to get through his senior year. Seeing where his last year will take him.
Closer to home
Charles Coleman, ’25, is a transfer from Minnesota State – Mankato. The Oswego native spent his first three seasons with the Mavericks where he redshirted his freshman year in 2019. There was no season due to COVID-19 in 2020. From there he moved to playing nine games with three starts in the 2021 season. Reflecting on his season, he discusses transferring.
“I transferred because I wanted to finish off closer to home. Things were great and I got the chance to play but I was getting a little homesick,” said Coleman.
Coleman has only been an NCC Cardinal for a year. Despite this, he has been able to make a name for himself. He has been able to show leadership not only on the field, but also off the field on the sidelines.
“I try to build relationships with everybody, from the kicker to even the 3rd string. I know if I can have a positive attitude and when things get tough, we are going to be good and that is my goal is to be able to uplift my team,” said Coleman.
Hard work pays off
New faces are starting to see the varsity locker room. When asking Sophomore Kachi Ugwu, ’27, what new face he thinks has had a positive impact on the team, he didn’t hesitate to mention Kamil Kokot, ’28, from Marist High School.
Kamil Kokot reflected on how he ended up on the North Central football team. What attracted him to the team was the players and their work ethic. Namely, Ethan Groark ’26 from Rolling Meadows High School. Kokot mentions how Groark is one of the players that motivated him, especially during Summer 7v7.
“I learned about the program and learned about the school. Found out that NCC was #1 in D3 and ended up coming here,” said Kokot.
He expresses the transition from high school football to college football as more of a mental game and having to memorize more than he has had to in high school. Kokot, as mentioned before, attended Marist, a roman catholic high school, in the South Side of Chicago. Marist is known for their powerhouse of a football team, recently facing off against Joliet Catholic Academy and coming short of a win by 31-30 in double overtime.
As Kokot continues through his freshman season, he sets an athletic goal for himself to be able to see the field more sophomore year.
What’s next?
The North Central Football team saw the home field for the first time this season on September 28th against Washington University of St. Louis at the Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
