Preparations heat up in Mount Horeb-Barneveld for the upcoming sports season, fueled by camaraderie and team spirit
The Mount Horeb-Barneveld High School football team is gearing up for their 2025 season, with the first game set to take place on the road against Grafton on August 22. This year, the team is aiming to put it all out on the field and bounce back from the 13-second setback that cut their season short in the WIAA Sectional Championship held in Wisconsin last November.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been focusing on gaining weight, strength, speed, and putting in effort and work during the offseason. However, their preparations extend beyond the physical aspects of the game. The team has been conducting a book study focused on leadership for multiple years, a practice that has had a lasting impact on their beliefs and strategies.
The book study, which involves around 40-50 kids, is conducted as a group and centres around leadership-focused books. The lessons from these books are being applied in the team's current strategies and beliefs. One of the key themes that has emerged from these studies is the importance of not taking small things for granted, whether the team wins or loses.
A powerful metaphor and cornerstone of the team’s culture, the mantra of "sweep the sheds" originates from the practice of cleaning the locker room—referred to as the "sheds"—after each game. This act symbolises themes of responsibility, humility, and collective accountability. By committing to "sweep the sheds," players demonstrate respect for their shared environment and each other, emphasising that success is not just about individual talent but about contributing to the team in every way.
This mantra helps instil a strong work ethic and a mindset that values perseverance and attention to detail, which carries over into their offseason conditioning and preparation. It reinforces the idea that no task is too small or insignificant; even the seemingly mundane chores matter in building discipline and unity.
According to Vikings head coach Bret St. Arnauld, the team is ready to advance further in the WIAA's this season. He believes that this team is at a higher level than in previous years, both offensively and defensively. The team's bonding and humility are starting to translate onto the field, making them a formidable force to reckon with.
The Mount Horeb-Barneveld football team's 2025 season will officially kick off under the lights. As they embark on this new journey, they carry with them the lessons learned from their book studies, the mantra of "sweep the sheds," and a renewed determination to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of success.
During their 2025 season, the Mount Horeb-Barneveld High School football team, with a strong focus on leadership, will apply lessons from their book studies to their strategies on the field. The team's mantra of "sweep the sheds" reinforces the importance of not taking small things for granted and emphasizes the contribution of each player to the team's success, in NFL-style American football or any sports analysis.
