Skipping Practices, players not giving 100% at practice, sluggishly going through the motions in the weight room, it had to change. 

This past Summer at Papillion-La Vista High School the athletes were introduced to a new mental part of their game. Once the football department hired a new head coach within days he knew the kids were missing this.  

“Discipline,” head Coach Tim Williams said. 

Not only did a fresh set of eyes see it, but seniors that have developed at Papio for the last three years saw holes in the program as well.  

“We didn’t have strong leadership and it was about individuals themselves not about the team as a whole,” senior football player Preston Kellogg said.  

As any great coach would do, the problem was addressed and fixed quickly. 

“I started holding the kids accountable, the seniors had it the hardest because they had to break all the bad habits that they have adapted to the last three years,” Williams said.  

 In addition to a new head coach a new weights coach was hired.  In only Coach Kage’s first year as the Weights Teacher, the students are recognizing the new perspective he is enforcing in the weight room.  

“Kage is more involved and holds you more accountable,” Senior softball player Clair Lieber said.  

The coaches really focused in on the mental side of the game while First Pick Performance helped with the physical side.  

“The program they put us through was really great, it helped us in all aspects of our game… It was made a priority to be there and get strong,” Kellogg said.  

With the positive new energy in the weight room this year athletes felt motivated to get work done.  

“People are constantly surrounding themselves with others that are going to get them better. Everyone wants to be at the top of their game,” Lieber said.  

As players improved the mental side of their game practices became a priority and the work ethic in the weight room did a 180, resulting in positive changes.