Bulldog Football: New Staff, Old Tradition

Madison Hiemstra, Editor-in-Chief

After kicking off the Bulldog Football season, the boys are showing that great things are happening. Under new leadership of Coach Chris Seebohm, the Bulldogs have stepped up their game, intensity and play since the last couple of years.

With new coaches, culture and traditions, senior running back and outside linebacker Klayton Nordeen is excited to see what the 2015 football season brings. “As far as attitude towards games and practice, nothing has really changed but the way we do things and the way we run practice has changed back to tradition. We brought back the paws on our helmets and we transitioned back to the block A. We are slowly making our way back to ‘old school’ Alliance.” After taking a rough 0-3 start on what appears to be a tough season ahead, Nordeen has high hopes for the team. “ A goal I have for us as a team is to be district champs and make it to state playoffs.” Nordeen also stated “We always play as one and go 11 to the ball every play.” After graduating this next spring, Nordeen plans to attend college and take his football skills to the next level as well. He hasn’t decided on a school, but has been in contact with coaches from around the state.

As far as a new atmosphere goes, parent of senior quarterback Baden Shelmadine and sophomore quarterback Owen Shelmadine; Tim Shelmadine is seeing great improvement this season. “Honestly, the biggest differences I see from last year to this year is my kids are having fun. They come home happy and they seem to be enjoying it more. It is more family oriented and my kids just seem to be really happy.”

New head coach Chris Seebohm is looking forward to the next six plus weeks of football. “Overall, we want them to be better people. Wins and losses are going to take care of themselves but if they learn life lessons and learn to appreciate hard work, it’ll make them better people in the long run.”

 

From a spectator standpoint, the atmosphere of Alliance Football is ever changing, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the love for football. I have never met a group of boys that are so passionate about a game. To many student-athletes, winning is everything. Although the frustration of three tough losses is somewhat overwhelming, the love for the game has never changed. Culture doesn’t change over night, but these boys truly bleed blue and white.