Preseason practice intensifies under the July heat. Long-term players, Max Meyer (’25) and Xander Logan (’25), continue their football conditioning, on the turf of the Jack Peters Stadium. Although it may not these senior’s first time donning the Knights Jersey, or even their first time working with a new coach, this season has already presented itself with its own challenges. Over 40 other players, some experienced while others only freshmen, show up for these practices in the fierce heat, to train for their best in the wake of the 2024 season. With conditioning having started all the way back in May and not ending until August, Robinson’s very own football players have only one choice; continue it from there.

After the departure of Football Head Coach Mike Williams to his alma mater the University of Souther California, newly appointed Head Coach Newman has had an instant and beneficial impact on the team’s operations.

“Losing Coach Mike ultimately did not leave a hole,” said Defensive End player Max Meyer (’25).  “Coach Newman [has been] a great coach, [who’s] teaching us how to be great football players and better men.”

Being a University of Southern California graduate and then having coached at a variety of other schools beforehand, Newman had put in considerable effort into his work, in the steps towards coming to Robinson as a defensive coordinator.

“In ’15, ’16, ’17, I was at Armwood. ’18, ’19, ’20 and ’21, [I was at] Chamberlain.,” said Newman. “In ’22, Wharton with Coach Michael. I came over here with him. It’s my first time as a head coach.”

Although the 2023 season went well for Robinson, Newman has expressed that new expectations were being set, and thus, even more emphasis was being put into preseason practice to best prepare the team.

“In my mind, there’s a standard, and that standard doesn’t change,” Newman said. “Obviously, overall, this is a great experience for both sides. Some things are a dictatorship. We have meetings, then go to the weight room, then we’ll flip; defense goes to the meeting, offense goes to the weight room.”

Meyer agreed, noting that all players were expected to give 100% on the field. This “go big or go home” attitude doesn’t just physically prepare the team for the season’s strenuous games, but also mentally prepare the players for challenges on and off the field.

“Coach Newman has changed team practices by expecting everyone’s best, no matter the circumstance,” Meyer said. “The conditioning, compared to last year, has intensified tremendously.”

With Head Coach Newman wanting to make the team more competitive, these changes in procedure would be deemed as necessary. Alongside the loss of original Head Coach Mike, the Robinson football team had lost talent from subsequent graduations and even school transfers. In response, many of the players may have to train even harder to bring up the team’s respective star-power.

“We’ve lost some talent to graduation, we’ve lost some talent to transfers,” Newman said. “But…it’s just more opportunity for other guys who probably wouldn’t have had as much opportunity.”

Already, many freshmen players are coming into practice and have displayed what true and trying practice looks like on the turf.

“The incoming freshmen are mostly new to the game of football but have shown promise with effort and strive to be better on the field and in the weight room,” Meyer said.

Many seasoned players have already put on view their eagerness to play once more at the Jack Peters Stadium, in front of the entire school.

“I’m most looking forward to Friday night lights at home and a great season with my brothers,” Meyer said.

The team will continue to practice until conditioning wraps up in August. From there, the Robinson’s Boy’s Football Team will have their usual, nonetheless strenuous, season practice during the fall; everyday afterschool except for Fridays. The team will have their first game on Aug. 16 against Calvary Christian.

With a new lead, and an influx of new talent, Coach Newman has readily displayed his expectations for the upcoming season.

“The goal is still to win the district title, which will qualify you for the state playoffs, and once you get to the state playoffs, it’s a one-week season,” Newman said. “If you win, you move on, if you lose you go home. My expectation is win a district title, make to state playoffs, and take it from there.”