The sun is white and hot, so bright that even closing one’s eyes wouldn’t stop the light from drilling through the eyelids, causing a headache. But as a soccer player, it’s part of the job. Walking out on the field and baring a blizzard or scorching heat, they do it to play the game they love, no matter how nerve-wracking it is.

The players agree that they’re sometimes overwhelmed and nervous at the beginning of the game. Senior Kaleb Laughlin said that an intense game, to him, is purely stress.

Some experience an “ocean” in their ears, the “whooshing” of adrenaline running through their bodies as they prepare to play their hearts out.

Knowing all the pressure that the team feels, some may think it isn’t worth the stress, but those who play the game beg to differ.

Laughlin said the game has taught him many life lessons including how to stay calm when everything’s rough.

Coach Joshua Hill said he has seen how playing on a team has changed some of the boys’ attitudes.

“The life lessons that the kids have learned is that you’re not always going to win, but if you prepare, do the very best you can in practice all the time, it’s going to pay off at some point,” Hill said. “Sometimes there’s letdowns, but as long as you’re always doing the right thing, you’re eventually going to be successful.”

The team has big plans ahead of them. The players’ individual goals range from winning the game next week to going to the state playoffs.

“Short term we plan on winning district,” Hill said. “Our goal this year is to make it to the regional tournament and then see what happens from there.”