The home crowd in Sandusky, Ohio, watched the Perkins Pirates fight to win in round two of the playoffs against St. Mary’s Memorial High School. After the game, as the two teams lined up and high-fived each other, the St. Mary’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes advisor initiated the midfield “Huddle,” and they all knelt as a student prayed over them.

Perkins head coach Jalen Santoro said, “They came together at the end of the game when emotions are high. Both teams handled it very well.” Mike Reams, FCA advisor at St. Mary’s for 23 years, started the team huddle a decade ago. He said, “We felt the need to give God glory, whether it was after a win or a loss, and recognize we serve a higher purpose. The world teaches us to be self-focused, and this prayer helps them put eyes on others first, just as God’s Word teaches.”

The Huddle, which is typically student-led, is eagerly anticipated by the St. Mary’s community after each game. Reams said, “I believe every head coach wishes to have a championship season. The majority realize their job to instill a strong foundation in these young men is bigger than wins and losses, which allows Fellowship of Christian Athletes to help build that foundation through the Word of God.” Sophomore Eli Sanchez of Perkins High School said he was “happy to see everyone come together in prayer and give all glory to God.”

The midfield prayer continued a growing trend on the Perkins football team. Santoro said, “We talked about starting something special, and they bought in. Their athletic ability, closeness, and belief in each other make them unlike any team I’ve been part of.” In his 22nd year of coaching, Coach Jeff Harbal, Principal of Perkins High School, agrees that this year’s team is unique. He said, “The leaders are strong and set the example that faith can be cool. It opens up the eyes of teammates and creates a curiosity about it.”

The thrilling production would give anyone chills when the Pirates run out of the locker room, through the smoke, and onto their home field. Still, before the hype starts, many on the team join hands and pray The Lord’s Prayer. Harbal said, “There’s a large group of kids who have growing faith.” In week one of the playoffs, a few players pulled a local pastor of The Chapel, Eric Lapata, aside to pray over them before the game.

“A lot of our guys pray before the game and go to Bible study,” Coach Santoro said. Senior Noah Normington-Slay said the Bible study, initiated by players on the team, has grown to 22 members in just a few short weeks. The verse he is praying over his life right now is Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all He has done.”

Sanchez led the way in starting the team Bible study. “The team dynamic has changed a lot this year,” he said, “we are a lot closer and a lot more like a family.” Cliff Glenn, a teacher, soccer coach, Perkins Young Life, and Chapel High School leader, stepped up to lead the group of young men. “I have seen firsthand how this group has brought the football players together,” Glenn said, “it’s so encouraging hearing how God is speaking into them and how they are so willing to share and encourage each other along the way.”