The Longhorns lost to the visiting Parkway Central Colts 38-7 Friday, Sept. 18. The Colts relied on their running game that added up to nearly 300 yards on 32 carries.
“It was not the outcome we wanted. At the end of the day we have to start making more plays on both sides of the ball. We left too many opportunities out there on the field that we should have capitalized on,” senior linebacker Evan Shukers said.
Touchdown LONGHORNS!! #pwestpride #whiteout pic.twitter.com/w4yRDnUP0A
— Longhorn LoCo (@LonghornLOCO) September 19, 2015
The Longhorns offense showed glimpses of big plays sparked by senior running back Nick Lewis who tallied 104 yards on 21 carries. Lewis scored the Longhorns only touchdown late in the second quarter to pull within two scores of the Colts.
“We all can agree that our performance on Friday night was not acceptable. Hopefully we get another chance to rematch Central in districts because that is not the way we are capable of playing,” junior defensive tackle Caleb Carswell said.
Junior linebacker Drew Seers led the team in tackles with 13 on Friday Night. Seers currently sits atop the conference in tackles with 42.
“It has been a real up and down first half of the season. However, we still have a lot of football left to be played. As a team we need to be more consistent game to game and hopefully we can finish the season strong,” junior tight end Jack Mendonsa said.
Senior cornerback Scott McKnight knew his team needed to regroup after their disappointing loss at home.
“I called a senior only meeting on Sunday to talk about the problems we face as a team right now. We all got together and discussed what we need to change in order to turn our season around,” McKnight said.
In the first two games the Horns recorded seven turnovers. However, in the past three games the Horns have had zero.
“I think it was a must needed meeting for us. We started the season out so strong winning the first two games, but since then we have struggled as a unit. I feel more confident going into this week that we will be able to turn it around,” senior lineman Michael Leduc said.
The team travels to Warrenton to face the 3-2 Warriors. The Warriors are coming off of a 41-13 loss to St. Charles West. Last season, the Longhorns defeated the Warriors 20-7.
“Our upcoming game against Warrenton is going to be very important,” senior wide receiver Daniel Bickert said. “It is a game that gives us a chance to gain our confidence back. A big win on the road would be huge for us.”
![Holding the disc, senior Nathan Thompson waits for an opportunity to pass to senior Timmy Fry. Parkway United’s ultimate frisbee team is made up of students from each of the four Parkway schools. “The one thing I really like about ultimate [frisbee] is the community because it’s so different from any other sport I've been a part of. [My] national teammates are people who we play against in the regular season, so we see each other all the time. It's always fun hanging out with [them],” Thompson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/C96A6823-1200x800.jpg)
![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
![With her arms held high, junior Jenna Rickelman throws the ball across the pool during a girls water polo practice. With hours of practice after school and over the summer, Rickelman saw many improvements in her water polo skills. “When I look at [my] stats, I'm so much better than I was last year,” Rickelman said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-2-.png)
![Putting on his helmet, catcher and senior Tommy Eschbach prepares to get in his primary stance. Despite losing 6-1 against Eureka on April 16, Eschbach didn’t let the tough loss affect his playing or mental health. “It's [so] easy to get caught up in the sport and what you're doing that [after] one bad game or a stretch of games it is hard to remind yourself that your worth as a person isn't directly related to your performance on the field,” Eschbach said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0415-1-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Sports organizations have changed lives on and off the field, improving athletes’ muscle strength, reducing their risk of diseases and building energetic work capacity worldwide. However, many student-athletes struggle to balance schoolwork and athletic commitments, hoping to seek more understanding and support from their teachers and coaches. “To lessen mental strain student-athletes [face] and create a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle, there shouldn’t be any homework. I'm already [at school] for eight hours and [homework] creates a bigger load for student-athletes in AP or honors classes,” track and field sprinter and sophomore Lucy Penton said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0095-1-e1713883278514-1200x847.jpg)
![At the Spring Pep Rally on March 8, boys varsity water poloist and junior Jack Brau stands with the boys water polo team. The group, hoping to include everyone — whether boy or girl, varsity or JV — cheered on the girls water polo team during the sports team runouts. “Even though we all play separate games and have different practices, we like to see ourselves as one big group who represent one water polo [team],” Brau said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_8810-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image2-1-1200x801.jpg)
