Photos and story by J.P. Taravella sophomore, Adam Scoggins
J.P. Taravella high school is looking to rebuild the football team after an abysmal season, beginning with the hiring of a new head coach by Principal Shawn Cerra. Head coach Dan Marguerite’s replacement, Charles Hafley, was Clemson’s top defensive back in the late 90’s but decided to coach high school football after being turned down by NFL teams. Formerly a Marjory Stoneman Douglas assistant coach, Hafley began his position in early January, and he’s brought his signature motto with him: EARN.
With the experience of winning, Hafley’s goal is to bring back the energy the Trojans had five years ago. Their most recent season finished 2-8. The coach also looks to get a district title for the first time since 2011.
The high energy presented by coach Hafley immediately resonated with the players who were packed into the meeting room. It appeared to these hopeful teammates that the young coach was able to make the dark cloud hovering above Taravella football disappear for good.
Linebacker Nick Aiello expressed his
thoughts this way, “A change is what
we need to win districts.”
The junior added that he wanted the kind of change which would bring the team’s record to 10-0 and contend for a state championship.
With a previous successful record as head coach at Blanche Ely High School for two seasons, Hafley believes that he will have similar success as head coach here at J.P. Taravella. At his meeting in early January, he said the one thing the team is going to work on, the thing that separates JPT from other schools, is that the players and students are uncommon.
Another Hafley implementation is the team’s motto “#EARN.” To the team, the phrase reminds the players that in order to work hard they will have to earn the right to be called winners, earn the right to be respected and, most of all, earn the right to be called the Trojans.
As the fall season ends and the spring is on the horizon, the fighting Trojans are back at work in the weight room, where the familiarity with each other and the equipment is palpable. The team will have to work hard and persevere. They might have students that don’t believe, but the one thing everyone has in common is pride…and pride can and will win a championship. #EARN
