To the Band of Brothers: March 8, 2021

Passion: This year’s soccer team is very passionate. Not only about the game of soccer, but about playing soccer for Belen. If there is one thing I have discovered in life, it’s that the secret to a happy life is passion. You have to be passionate about something. That passion drives you. It helps you get up in the morning. It helps you make decisions, puts things in perspective, and prioritizes your life. You have to find the right passion, one that is in line with your faith and morals, but when you find it, the sky’s the limit. These state champs won because they are passionate.

Band of Brothers: Ask them. At every game, when Coach Tanger asked me to speak to the boys, I would tell them that they play like a band of brothers. It was amazing how well they personified and embodied this year’s school theme. They not only play well, but they also play well together. They knew each other’s moves, strengths, and weaknesses. They knew where they needed to be and trusted the other would be there. When they passed the ball, they passed it before the player was even there because they knew they would be. It may sound corny, but you can tell they really love each other. I would say, because of that love, because of that brotherhood, they won.

Never gave up: This was so powerful. Almost every game this season, they were down a goal. The opponent seemed to score first almost every time. They never lost their cool, never lost their nerve, never got desperate. They knew what they were capable of and knew they may have been down, but never out. The state title game was no different. They went into the second half down 1-0, but they were cool as cucumbers. They played their game, attacked relentlessly, and played like men. Battered and bruised they literally shed their blood on the field. It was beautiful to watch.