Brendan Sano has an opportunity most athletes don’t get in their careers.
Not only did he win back his starting quarterback job after he lost out to Treyce Albin in the preseason, but he's going up against county and conference rival Alexander for his first game as the official starter. Sano still hasn’t gotten over last year’s four interception performance in a 31-14 loss to the Spartans.
“This is the one (game) that I’ve been waiting for since last year,” Sano said. I’ve watched the film from that game so many times. I’m looking to make everyone forget about that game and remember this one.”
It was the first time Athens had lost to Alexander in four years. Coincidentally, the Spartans went on to win the Tri-Valley Conference with Athens finish second—also ending Athens’ streak of four consecutive playoff births.
“If we’re not motivated to play, especially after last year’s loss, then there’s something completely wrong with our entire program,” coach Ryan Adams said.
Since its groundbreaking win and conference title, Alexander graduated 23 seniors and started this season 1-2. Sano said he struggled to keep calm during last year’s game—it was only his fourth start — but he is confident things will be different this time.
“This year, I feel more relaxed,” Sano said. “We expect to win.”
As if there wasn’t enough at stake on Friday already, the matchup will also be the first conference game of the season for both teams. Because no other team in the conference has played a conference game yet, Friday’s winner will at least be tied for first place.
“It’s definitely a tone-setting game for the season,” Sano said. “We need to come out and perform and I think that’ll set the tone and we can ride that momentum for the rest of the season.”
Sano has waited an entire year for this game. Friday night, he will have a chance to turn one of his biggest failures into a resounding triumph.
