Peoria Heights Reaching for Football Heights
By: Kurt Pegler - WMBD/WYZZ-TVKurt Pegler/WMBD 31 Sports: "There's a noticeable change in attitude at Peoria Heights football practice these days.
Updated: September 19, 2012
WMBD/WYZZ-TV - PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. -- There's a noticeable change in attitude at Peoria Heights football practice these days.
"We're getting excited, it's fun now," said senior Kris Whalen. "It's a lot different than all those losses we had."
The Patriots snapped a 25-game losing streak this month and are now on the school's first winning streak since 2007. This team is trying to change the football culture at a school that has just one winning season in the last 13 years.
"This school needed a football win and they got it," explained Peoria Heights head coach Jon Adkins. "You see guys walking through the halls now congratulating other guys and saying, 'I can't wait to go to the game on Friday.' That's what this school needed."
Peoria Heights (2-2) plays at Lewistown (1-3) Friday at 7 p.m.
Getting that first win, everyone said, 'I'm coming to your game next Friday to watch you win.' Everyone's positive about us," said senior Tyler Poucher. "It's awesome."
Winning their first football game in three years was nice. Putting together a winning streak is even better.
But now the Patriots have even bigger goals on the horizon.
"People are starting to realize that 'Hey, we just didn't win one or two games.' We've got a good shot at this," said Adkins. "A conference championship, even getting into the playoffs."
Goals that wouldn't have even made sense at practice just a couple of weeks ago.
