Coach Z Says Tough Season Ahead

On Friday, Aug. 25, 2016, at 7 p.m. your Talawanda Braves Football team were supposed to take on the Middletown Madison Mohawks. The game was delayed and eventually cancelled for lightning and the game was held on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Before the originally scheduled game time on Friday Andy Zimmerman, Talawanda’s wide receiver and punt return coach, discussed the first game, upcoming season, and some of his personal experiences with being a coach at Talawanda.

Coach Z said: “I hope we win but you gotta prepare for every opponent, if you don’t go in with that mentality then why play in the first place? Madison has a simple offense, they hit well and know how to attack.” Coach Z stated that every team the Braves are playing this year are going to be tough because most teams in our conference had winning records or made the playoffs last year. Fans “Can look forward to being competitive and who they are and what they can do,” Zimmerman says. Talawanda football goes by #EDA that can be found on Twitter. According to Coach Z, “EDA means ‘except don’t accept’ which means that we will meet the challenge, be great, and be winners and won’t accept anything other than that.”

Zimmerman became a football coach because when he was growing up it was one of the more valuable experiences he had and he felt like it was important for him to do. “It doesn’t feel like work to me because I love it, it’s a good way for me to stay connected with students and have relationships outside of the classroom,” Coach Z said. Zimmerman is an alumni of Talawanda High School and played football for the Braves: “I have a lot more experience in how the community reacts to certain things. I also see kids of the people I went to high school with, and I was also on the last team to win a league title. I want give to the kids and for them to experience that and accomplish that for them.”

Unfortunately your Braves went down to the Mohawks 37-6 in their first 2016 season game. Be sure to come out to the next game this Saturday, Sep. 3, at Hamilton High School, as Talawanda takes on the Badin Rams!