With the district football season close to half over, the team gets a break this week. Although, a bye week is commonly thought of as an off week for the players, that is not how coaches and players view it.
Bye weeks are determined as a district when the head coaches come together and form their playing schedules. Head football coach Chris Melson’s main focus during the bye week is on getting players healthy as well as keeping good grades. With the Broncos having about five or six players getting treatment for injuries, the break will help them recuperate without the game week schedule.
“Number one is health. We have a lot of bumps and bruises,” Coach Melson said. “Those guys don’t get much practice, they get a lot of treatment.”
As well as focusing on health during bye week, the players also focus on grades at the the last week of the grading period. Coach Melson says any player with grades lower than a 75 are required to attend tutorials.
“It’s the sixth week so the next thing we try and do is stay eligible and stay on top of our grades,” Coach Melson said.
It’s not an off week. It’s kind of a week to take a breath, regroup and give our kids a break.
— Coach Melson
In order to help, there is no practice on Monday or Friday. Also, practice for the varsity team starts at 4 p.m. and lasts an hour which gives players plenty of time to attend tutorials.
“Bye weeks are good, they are helpful. It’s not an off week. It’s kind of a week to take a breath, regroup and give our kids a break,” Coach Melson said. “Its really just a get your body healthy and get your grades taken care of type of week.”
The Broncos are up next to face Seguin, Lancaster, No.1 ranked Lake Ridge, Timberview and Red Oak. Senior John Rogan feels the bye week will help the team get a fresh start for the upcoming games.
“It is a chance to get better at the little stuff that comes up big when we play games,” Rogan said. “It is just a week for recovery and getting our legs under us, so that next week we can play to our best ability.”
