Cosmos season presented a number of challenges

By Ian Perrotta

It may have been a losing season, but not all was lost for this year’s Cosmos football team.

Despite finishing the season with a record of 1-8, the season can still be called a success. After last year’s season took an unfortunate turn due to a player ineligibility scandal, the program was in serious jeopardy of falling apart. But thanks to the work of new head coach Leo Wells and his assistants, the team remains intact.

Things weren’t exactly easy, though. Out of the 30 members of the team, only 10 had ever played organized football. Of those 10, only five had ever played at the varsity level. And unfortunately, toward the end of the season discipline issues forced a few players to be sidelined, which may have cost a few wins down the road.

But even with the challenges they faced, many players were able to put up some impressive stats. Offensively, Junior quarterback Kurel Butler finished with 650 yards passing and 8 touchdowns, while Senior tight end Djuan Wilson had 15 catches for 306 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.

Junior running back Jonathon Blanding ran the ball for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Wilson led the team with 64 tackles and nine sacks. Blanding finished with 55 tackles.

“I thought it was a good season overall,” said Wells. “A lot of our kids played at a varsity level when they probably should have been playing junior varsity, but it was a great way for them to get experience. I think we’ll do a lot better next year.”