After last year’s dramatic season that ended with playoff probation, first-year Notre Dame Prep head football coach George Prelock has tackled his latest coaching position with confidence and determination to lead his team back to the top. 

“I think that we were motivated, last year really taught us lessons,” said Prelock.

Judging by its 3-0 start, the team is on their way back under Prelock. When asked if he’s felt any pressure about the season, he said, “Anytime you come out every year the goal is to have a winning season and be successful.” In the wake of last years’ probation, Prelock describes his team as resilient. “Our kids know that there’s only so many opportunities you have in life and this one we have to make the most of it so they come in, they work hard at practice, they work hard in the weight room, they push each other.”

Before being promoted to varsity head coach, Prelock was a coach for NDP’s freshman team. That gave him a chance to develop a bond with his players. “I’m in that unique position where most of these kids I’ve coached before as freshmen,” he said. “I’ve know the relationship with them at a young age and have continued to check on them throughout the years. It’s about developing them and making them grow into young men. I truly care about them and feel like we have a great relationship.”

The faith Prelock has in his players is not a one-way street. The players have what appear to have complete faith in their new coach. Junior running back Jake Smith believes the team has what it takes to make it to the state championship this year under Prelock’s guidance, saying “It feels great to be 3-0, we’re excited.”

Senior defensive lineman Kyle White said, “I feel like we definitely shocked some people, we were underrated to say the least, but we’ve been working hard and I think we have a good shot at some people in the state.” White believes that other teams in the state “have a target on us, everyone wants to come after us.”

When asked about Prelocks’ coaching style, Cole Fisher, a senior running back, said that “he’s just really great connecting with people, he’s a people person.”

Between all the hardships and changes they’ve gone through over the last year, the team has grown together. The words “brotherhood” and “unity” are key to the players, according to Fisher and White. “We’ve all been together since 7th or 8th grade, and we all decided to come here and create something great and we’re all just buying in and trusting each other,” said White. With that mindset and the trust they’ve put in their new head coach, the Notre Dame Prep Saints could be looking at a very successful season.