At Green High School, football is a huge topic of discussion among students, teachers and staff. Every year since 2020 the team has had a winning record through the first five games; however, this season the team started off 1-4.
Despite having a losing record, the team has a positive point differential through the first five games. In all their losses thus far, the Bulldogs have been within one touchdown of their opponents score. Due to the close scores, players, coaches and fans alike are optimistic about the chances of turning things around.
However, the team has struggled immensely in the first half of games and realized that to be a point of weakness up to this point. In one of their most recent games against the Hoover Vikings, the Bulldogs went down 21-7 in the first half, but in the second half the team outscored the Vikings 14-6.
“We need to focus on going one week at a time and making sure we focus on the four quarters ahead of us,” says Mark Geis, head coach and Green High School business teacher.
Along with the poor first half efforts, Green’s schedule isn’t making winning any easier. Maxpreps, a website that gives comprehensive coverage of high school sports, has all of the teams they have suffered defeat to in Ohio’s top 70 teams. More specifically, Green lost by a touchdown to the defending division four state champions, Indian Valley.
“This year has proved to be the strongest strength of schedule I’ve ever played, but I don’t think that means we weren’t capable of winning some of the matchups we lost,” says Evan Reed ‘26.
Difficult teams aren’t the only thing stopping the Bulldogs’ stellar individual performances from opposing players have also created goliath-like obstacles thus far. Having played against two division one commit running backs in back to back weeks, the Bulldogs suffered two losses to Indian Valley and Riverside.
Injuries have also been a problem thus far, with star running back/wide receiver/outside linebacker, Evan Reed ‘26, dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that saw him play limited snaps in the first handful of games. Along with that, Evan Georgiou ‘26, a wide receiver/cornerback will be sidelined for a few weeks with an MCL injury.
Although the football team may be losing, the cheering pride is in full spirit this season. The Bulldog’s sideline cheer team has switched their philosophy regarding captains to encourage fluidity throughout the season.
Instead of having their traditional two senior captains, the coaches have decided that they will have no captains whatsoever. In the coaches mind this increases the spirit of teamwork, and the cheerleaders seem to agree,
“Having no captains helps push everyone to bring their own ideas and their own leadership role to the team, but I also believe it makes things a little harder when we make a decision because we have to get everyone’s opinions. It is both good and bad, but overall I do think it is a positive because everyone is doing their best to be a leader for the team,” says Lila Paine ‘26.
