Livingston ISD Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Tucker Carter, Offensive Coordinator Jacob Alford and five team captains provided a program for the Rotary Club of Livingston Thursday.
“We’re super excited. There’s a lot of energy going on in town,” Carter said.
As for the state of LISD athletics, Carter said that volleyball, tennis and cross country are all underway and the district has rolled out its new digital ticketing system.
“We have had an outstanding summer and fall camp. The green and white scrimmage was good. I’m very proud of our freshmen group,” Carter said, adding that the team competed at a high level and with good energy during Wednesday night’s scrimmage.
“Non-district, we have a very unique schedule. Week three is our first home game. We’re getting a taste of competition at every level,” Carter said, referring to the fact that the 4A Lions will face teams from 3A all the way up to 6A.
Carter introduced the five team captains who were elected Wednesday by their fellow teammates. They include: Isaiah Franklin, a senior defensive end/tight end; Roman Ontiveros, a senior offensive/defensive lineman; Ziekus Garner, a senior wide receiver/defensive back; Zayden Martin, a junior tight end; and Tyler Soza, a senior quarterback/defensive back.
All five team captains spoke, each of them elaborating on one of the core values that the team embraces. Franklin talked about discipline, great attention to everything they do and setting high standards. Ontiveros spoke about toughness, specifically, playing tough and giving it your all. Garner talked belief, specifically, the foundation of belief in teammates and coaches, trusting the system and winning games. Martin spoke about resilience and never giving up no matter what happens.
Soza touched on the team’s new mantra – Restore the Roar. “What does restore the roar mean to me? I think it means flipping the culture – the kids, how we act, how we talk. These coaches are great. They have taught me what it means to be a leader, to lead by example, to not only talk the talk but walk the walk. They have a one on one connection that makes you feel like you matter. Our coaches have put in so much effort to make us better. I believe in going 100% -- not because you have to, but because you can.”
Addressing the offense, Alford said following the scrimmage, he had several people make the comment to him that that’s the most they’ve seen the ball thrown in Lion Stadium ever.
“These guys have done an outstanding job of doing what we’re teaching them. These guys are doing an outstanding job of leading,” Alford said.
Carter touched on defense where he said there’s been a scheme change as well. “I want to let them play free without fear of making mistakes. This is a great group of kids,” Carter said.
Everyone was invited to come out for Meet the Lions, the first community pep rally of the year, at 7 p.m. Monday at Lion Stadium where the following programs will be recognized – athletic trainers, cheer, cross country, Emerald Belles, football, Royal Brigade, tennis and volleyball.
Carter also mentioned a new program he’s started for sixth-graders called pre-athletics. “The first think is relationships – high-fiving kids, building them up, loving on them and pouring into them.”
During the question and answer session following the program, the students were asked what they’d like to do following high school. Garner said he wants to attend college and play basketball. Soza said he wants to attend college and pursue a nursing pathway. Franklin said he wants to play college ball, but that he has a culinary backup plan. Ontiveros said he wants to attend college and become a cop, ultimately becoming a state trooper. Martin said he would like to be an architect.
