Alexander steps up his game; Tracy faces Lincoln in tough test
William Alexander works hard on defense.
October 25, 2013
Being a first-year varsity football player William Alexander, a junior, never thought he would be the starting defensive back for the Tracy High varsity football team.
Alexander is now the starting defensive back, as of the second half of the Beyer game. When the season started coach Matt Shrout never thought of him being a starter.
“I never thought of starting him,” Shrout said, “but he did well at practice and played smart.”
Alexander’s hard work paid off.
“He worked really hard at practice and gave it his best all the time,” Shrout said, “so when the starter messed up, he was my first pick to put in the game.”
Alexander is glad to have the opportunity to be a starter on the team. He is also glad to hear that coach believes that he can play well.
“I am really happy that he thinks I can play well enough to be a starter,” Alexander said.
Although Alexander does not have a future career choice, he has a simple goal for himself.
“I just hope I’ll be successful in whatever I do,” Alexander said.
Alexander does not have any particular college choices in mind, but being an athlete he hopes to get into a college with a good football team.
“I would be glad to play at any division one college,” Alexander said.
Tracy High varsity football team is 6-1 overall and 2-0 in league.
Alexander has high goals for the team. He believes they have good chemistry and they believe and trust in each other.
“I want to win sections and hopefully have one of the best defenses in the state,” Alexander said.
Alexander also has a few personal goals he wishes to meet.
“I want to get the coaches award and, hopefully, all-league,” Alexander said.
Senior teammate Michael Frymyer believes Alexander is where he belongs.
“He does his job well and is a starter for a reason,” Frymyer said. “He earned his spot.”
Friday, Oct. 25, will mark one of the most important games for Tracy High as they will play Lincoln in Stockton. This game will go a long way determining the league championship and playoff seeding.
Lincoln is 2-5 overall and has played Granite Bay, St. Mary’s, Elk Grove, Vacaville, and Pitman in non-league games and opened league season with two wins over Bear Creek and Chavez. The five non-league games were against some of the best schools in the area.
Shrout believes in order to win this game the team needs to focus on ball security and be secure in their tackling, but believes the team will win.
“The one thing I have been telling the team this whole week is that we can win this game,” Shrout said.
Frymyer plays defensive end and receiver. He views this game as one of the most important games of his life.
“It’s my senior year and this is the most important game of the season,” Frymyer said. “I would be crushed if we lose.”
Frymyer believes that the team needs to just follow what they have been coached to do and that they will do well.
“As a whole, this game we cannot afford to make mental mistakes,” Frymyer said.
Senior linebacker Christopher Mahar also feels the pressures of this game to win and come out on top.
“I’m nervous and excited all at the same time,” Mahar said.
Mahar is confident in his teammates and is not worried about the other team much.
“They may have a big defensive line, but what we lack in size we make up for it in speed,” Mahar said. “As long as we follow the game plan everything should be fine, and we will win.”
