LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- It's crunch time for high school football teams as they get ready for the upcoming season. But the Iroquois Raiders are learning important life lessons off the field, thanks to their new coach.
These young men are learning about the biggest playbook of all--life as a young and successful man.
“Every single thing that you need to get to college we've made a part of our football program so all you got to do is play,” Central High Grad and new head coach Christopher Peters said.
He said this is what he was called to do. Not just coach, but nurture the growth of our future.
“Most of them don't even realize that you have to have certain requirements to get into college and you can't go into the NFL without going to college for three years. So if you don't have the grades, you really aren't setting yourself up for success to make that dream happen,” Peters said.
Peters had his young men take their helmets off and get to walking. He shared a Facebook video of his team walking on Brookline Street to nearby homes seeing if people needed any help.
The football team’s cornerback and wide receiver explained how he felt about what Peters asked them to do.
“I was like. He’s nuts!” Bryant Swan said.
“The kids never expected this to happen,” Peters said. “I was thinking we would get maybe five or six families that would want to join our Raider family but it’s really been the whole community.”
Darion Sherfield, a junior linebacker and running back, described the reactions they received after they knocked on doors.
“They were surprised to see us too. So we told them what we were doing and they got really happy and they just told us what help they needed around the house and we helped them out.”
This video shows triple duty too. Helping out these homes behind the student’s school is great to put on their college application. It strengthens a relationship with their neighbors and promotes team building.
“We want to change your perception of what it means to be a Raider,” Peters said.
“It means a lot, we definitely have something to fight for now,” Sherfield said. “We're fighting for people around the neighborhood.”
The 2016 Iroquois Raider Football Team is a team that is growing, learning and striving for greatness on and off the turf.
The team was 4-6 last year but the students say they are very optimistic about this year.
The team is in need of new uniforms if you are able to help, click here.