By Brian Perry, '11.
The Proctor Academy Football team has a new head coach, Ben Rulli. Ben has played football since 6th grade, and has much needed knowledge of the game. He also has a great relationship with the previous coach, Chuck Reid. Chuck left after four strong seasons, the school’s first ever undefeated season, and two bowl game appearances. He left behind a great team with a drive to win. Appointed in 2007, Ben Rulli, last year’s linemen coach, is new to the Head Coach position. “I would be lying if I didn’t feel a little pressure,” said Ben, “Pressure is a good thing, it forces you to stay alert, and to make the right decisions.”
Members of the team think he is doing well, considering he is under so much pressure. Post-grad Quarterback, Matt Quinn says, “Chuck turned this team around, and Ben has the ability to maintain the team’s greatness. We won’t know how well he’s actually doing until the first game, but he appears to be doing well.” Post-grad running back, Beau Bucci, says, “Ben has some big shoes to fill, but he can do it. We’ve already shown major improvements since camp.”
After an 8-0 season, and playing in a Bowl Game, Ben knows what he has to do, and is working the team really hard in order to remain the best. In order to remain the best, this football team needs to be stronger than it ever has been, which is a huge goal to achieve, and Ben is pushing to reach that goal. Ben is the kind of coach that will work a team so hard that they will want to quit, yet there are still 18 varsity players that show up to every practice and perform as if it were a game situation.
From my view, Ben is trying to make the players cave in. It separates those who will do anything to play for this team, and brings out the leadership in some. It means that the team consists of the strongest players possible, both mentally and physically. The team’s games show how the team has come together.
Mid October update: Proctor won their first game 14-12 in OT. It was a tense and incredible game, but was followed by two losses. Recently, Proctor football beat Kents Hill 38-30, with a new record of 2-2. Four games remain in the ’09 Season. Check out Proctor’s website every Saturday night to check the game scores.
