Off the football field, Alex Labutis hangs out with his friends and studies just like any normal teenager. On the field, he is ready to kill anyone who is keeping him from the goal. From knocking the players to and making the plays, he is this year’s captain and our varsity’s defensive end.

As a child, senior Alex Labutis wasn’t a football player. He was interested in playing soccer.

“There isn’t much physical contact, like hitting and tackling, with the other players in soccer. You would always get a whistle blown at you if you were being too rough.” Labutis said. “So I went out for football, and it all worked out.” Labutis grins sheepishly when he admits to really liking a more aggressive sport.

Senior captains, Jared Kirchmeier, Holt Hoetger and Labutis whip the team into shape for the next big game.

“We just try to motivate the team during the game,” Labutis said, “We get them fired up and focused so we can execute hard on the field.

Beside the coaches’ and the captains’ inspiration, the fans build up half the team’s endurance and encourage them to keep going strong.

“Thousands of fans screaming and cheering us on,’ Labutis said, “gives us chills down our spine and gets our adrenaline pumping,” Labutis said.

Making plays our difficult and it takes many hours of practice to perfect them; but one you get them right, it makes for a hell of a game.

“Hitting the quarterback in the mouth and making a bone-crushing hit while hearing my teammates and fans going crazy on the sideline,” Labutis said, ‘is the ultimate feeling.