'Starting to care': Wes-Del football loses again but looks the part of an improving program

GASTON — Wes-Del football players wore frustrated faces following their 29-26 home loss to Greenwood Christian Academy on Friday, the Warriors' six straight defeat dating back to last season.

As much as another shortcoming stung, especially after leading 26-14 entering the fourth quarter, the coaches were pleased to see their roster feel that pain.

In the moment, it's unpleasant. In developing a program from the ground up, it's necessary.

"We've got guys that are starting to care ... In the past that always hasn't been the case," head coach Matt Nuckols said. "You can see it on their face that this hurts because they know what it could have been and they know we're one play away or two plays away from this being different tonight."

Wes-Del (0-3) didn't look like the same team that scored just 33 total points last year as it endured a 16-game losing streak. Although there were still several squandered opportunities, the Warriors exhibited more grit, competence and excitement than in any game in three years.

Nuckols, who took over the program last year, was proud of the commitment to "smash-mouth football" and believed they were the more physical team. He credited that mindset to his upperclassmen leaders, who've set an improved example to their younger teammates who outnumber them.

The physical tone-setter, however, was Brock Nauman. The sophomore has fully bought into revamping Wes-Del football's culture, starting with his offseason work in the weight room that helped him gain over 30 pounds since his freshman campaign.

He's showing that newly-acquired strength on Friday nights, when early and often he bulldozes defenders, this time en route to two rushing touchdowns.

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"Brock is a beast," Nuckols said. "He's a true program guy. He believes and he works his butt off, and he showed it tonight. Dude's not scared of anything. He runs his butt off and he plays every snap. He never comes off that field."

Nauman and his teammates are also supremely motivated by the many fans who've shown their support for the rebuilding Warriors, both in attendance and installing a newly renovated football field and surrounding amenities.

Wes-Del fans were passionate during their team's thrilling defeat, and the players responded to their energy, especially early.

"It's amazing just to see," Nauman said. "I remember in elementary school, nobody really thought of us as a big (football) school, and we're trying to build that up."

The Warriors likely would've pulled out the win if it weren't for a cramp outbreak in its star players. Do-it-all senior Trey Adams has been sidelined with repeated cramps in every game. He was joined by senior quarterback Triton Blevins and others against the Cougars, which sapped the team of both its rhythm and best talents.

It's a trend that frustrated and confused everyone involved.

"Our trainers, we've been trying everything and we've gotten guys on different meal plans, hydration packets, we've got some dudes doing some different supplements, stretching, pre-stuff, and haven't found an answer yet," Nuckols said. "We've got guys that are fighting through a lot of that, which I'm proud of, but when you're at a small school like this and you have to do like Trey Adams or Triton Blevins or Jonah Whitworth go down for two or three plays or a quarter, it makes a big difference."

Yet Blevins, Adams and others returned to the field, and battling through such challenges once again proved the Warriors are toughening up.

Nuckols said that his kids are learning to push themselves, and seeing the results of their increased efforts, even in close losses, has built belief that they are on the track toward winning.

When discussions of field renovations were first discussed, Wes-Del kids of several age groups went to the school board and advocated for the investment.

Ever since, the players and coaches have responded with similar commitment. And it's not just at the high school level — Nuckols said Warriors football, from youth flag leagues to the high school, currently has around 120 participating kids.

"I do think that they don't take this for granted," Nuckols said. "They know that they have a community and they have an administration and teachers and coaches that believe in them and believe that they can do more than what we've shown in the past and that they can change something here, become a football school. So I think that community support, the support from the admin, the support from what they're seeing at school is really a big deal for them."

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Wes-Del football loses, looks like an improving IHSAA Class 1A program