Daphne Varsity Football has lost back-to-back rivalry home games to start off the season. One to Spanish Fort 7-8 and the other to Fairhope 17-20 in overtime. But their mindset will stay the same regardless, with an ‘above the line behavior’ mentality.

After having a 9-3 overall record and making the playoffs last season, hopes were high for a strong start this year. Last season, Kenny King was hired as Head Varsity Football Coach and Athletic Director. He had played for Daphne High, the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Arizona Cardinals. He also has coached at Hamilton High School in Arizona.

Coach King said, “We have to bounce back, because that’s the rivalry, that’s the community. That’s all the conversations.” The conversation has indeed been about Daphne’s undefeated away record and their winless home record.

Kaleahl “Swae” Johnson, number 9 varsity strong safety said, “I just think we need to go out there and execute and play trojan football.” Daphne right now is choosing to focus on themselves.

Coach King said, “What we have to do as a team is focus on ourselves, make sure we get better and when that time comes go and try to win a championship. I think winning solves everything. If you win a championship and who you lost to in the regular season doesn’t mean anything. Just get back to the basics get back to what we do best, focusing on ourselves and we’ll be fine.”

The Trojans certainly did focus on themselves this Friday night for the Homecoming game when they played Gulf Shores. One of the biggest plays of the game was when Chance Newman, number 7 quarterback, faked the 5 yard handoff and ran into the endzone for a touchdown. They won 31-28 in a hard fought  battle, keeping the focus on playing Daphne Trojan Football.