During the 2022-2023 high school year, participation in sports surpassed 7.8 million students, a 3.1% increase from the 2021-2022 school year, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Athletics Participation Survey. These increases in student participation in sports have also impacted Conifer High School. Many incoming freshmen are participating in the football program, which led to the team needing to make new additions to the Level Three team.
“I think our numbers are growing and improving, which is really helpful. And when the numbers are good, having the two teams only limits the players,” New head football Coach Matthew Steinfeldt said.
Steinfeld had 25 years of prior experience coaching college football and is now starting his 13th season coaching high schoolers here at Conifer. Although the new change causes some issues, such as scheduling games, the introduction of an L3 team has led to some challenges, such as scheduling and figuring out the dynamic with JV and Varsity.
“I spent a lot of time trying to find Level Three games and how we plan to get all these players to these games,” Athletic Director Brad Horner said.
Yet the new team brings a lot more than just scheduling issues. Having fewer people per team allows for more repetition and one-on-one work bettering players. Having these individualized team practices will benefit the program in the future. Setting up the team to get better year by year.
(Mary Evers)
Despite the complications, the L3 team may change the Conifer football program for the better. Having smaller teams allows for more personalized, one-on-one team practices and helps the new players who have little to no experience. Getting these players a lot of practice, touches, and repetition at the beginning of their high school year will benefit the team in future years.
“It’s a domino effect,” Horner said. “The more time the freshman get, the better they will be, and more prepared when they step up on JV or Varsity.”
The new team added to the football program is one to stay, benefiting Conifer for years to come.
“I absolutely hope this is a permanent change with the way it will help,” Stein said.
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![The Conifer Lobo’s L4 Volleyball team celebrating their win against Little High School. After all 3 sets of the game, they felt the energy from the win and showed their passion for the game. “I feel pretty good about [our record].” Freshman Victoria Stewart said, “We’re doing pretty good.”](https://chstoday.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-08-4.25.47-PM.png)
