Like a three-ring circus, Alonso plays on

Posted Oct 7, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 7, 2009 at 01:05 PM

Alonso is celebrating homecoming this week with the theme “Under the Big Top.”

That’s so appropriate considering the circus-like atmosphere surrounding the football team in recent weeks. The Ravens defensive coordinator was dismissed and head coach Mike Heldt was suspended for two weeks following an incident during a game against Hillsborough. Players have been dealing with the aftermath the best way they know how, by concentrating on football.

“We know that even without our coaches, we just have to stay focused,” offensive lineman Pierrot Adonis said. “We look up to them and we want to perform well for them.

“The leadership on our team keeps us together and [interim head] Coach Diez, especially, has helped us stick together.”

So has keeping their eye on the prize – the playoffs. The Ravens play their first district game Friday night against Chamberlain and are aware they need a victory to keep postseason dreams alive.

“We’re trying to win every game, but we know the district games are the most important,” Adonis said. “So if we come out and win those, we’ll be alright.”