The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
8 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Ever since Philip Rivers spoke these words last spring to our team, it has been our identity. I don't know if there are three other words that could better de- scribe the Wolfpack football program as a whole. After every game, win or lose, I go back to these words and ask our play- ers if they played hard, if they played tough and if they played together. If they can answer yes to all of those, then we can hold our heads high. Our players understand this and hold each other accountable — not just on game days, but in the weight room, on the practice field and in how they deal with each other. They know that these words mean nothing if they're not put into action. That hunger and desire to be great has made this group an exciting one to coach. The 2016 senior class is the first class that we brought in and have coached from start to finish. All of these seniors — the ones who have been here four or even five years and the ones who became a part of our family this year — deserve recognition for their hard work and dedi- cation. This group is the foundation of our program. They are leaders on and off the field that I have been honored to coach. Our emphasis as we head into the home stretch of the season is to FINISH. We can't look ahead or behind, but every game is a season within itself. We take every day, every meeting, every drill, ev- ery practice and every game one at a time. What I have seen from our players, especially our leaders, is a group that is dedicated to the process of getting bet- ter. I have seen more guys come in on their own time to watch extra film and study their opponents. This team is really focused and understands the preparation it takes to be successful. I am excited to see where they take us. 1Pack1Goal, Coach Doeren ■ From Head Football Coach Dave Doeren Senior Class 13 Bra'Lon Cherry Wide Receiver New Bern, N.C. New Bern High 6 Niles Clark Nickel Marietta, Ga. Lassiter High 21 Matthew Dayes Running Back Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Cypress Bay High 41 Clark Eyers Tight End Dunn, N.C. Western Carolina 33 Connor Haskins Kicker Lumberton, N.C. UNC Pembroke 56 Bryce Kennedy Offensive Guard Southern Pines, N.C. Pinecrest High 94 Monty Nelson Defensive Tackle Plantation, Fla. Plantation High 66 Joe Scelfo Center Bogart, Ga. South Alabama 37 Josh Sessoms Safety Wilson, N.C. Southern Nash High 5 Josh Taylor Quarterback New Bern, N.C. New Bern High 29 Jack Tocho Cornerback Charlotte, N.C. Independence High 59 John Tu'uta Center Fredericksburg, Va. Fork Union Military Academy 8 Dravious Wright Nickel Vero Beach, Fla. Vero Beach High HARD // TOUGH // TOGETHER PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS