The start of the season is the Rogers Beach challenge. It is the first of three challenges that the Hurricanes have to do every year. 

First thing in the morning at 7 am the whole team goes to the beach and completes different physical challenges. What most don’t expect is the mental aspect of the event is harder than the physical pain. 

Throughout all of the challenges that the team does every year if you asked any players they would say that the Rogers challenge is by far the hardest one. The challenge affects the team in many ways; it helps the team build bonds between returning players and newcomers to the team.

Starting running back, junior Nic Simone said, “For me I would say the beach challenge is almost like a reminder that this season is coming soon and it’s time to get ready.” 

The tradition of the Rogers Beach challenge changes every person who has endured it. Players constantly reminisce about it and how it is the first sign of the ever-nearing football season. 

Junior left tackle Blake Gilks said, “This is the difference between the Hurricane season and other programs.” The tradition sets a precedent for the toughness and perseverance each player needs. The challenge shows the difference between other programs and the Hurricanes.

Nic said, “This challenge helps us come closer together and really helps us start to form that bond that carries us throughout the season.”

Practice starts in June, and the team is striving for the Suffolk County Championship this year. Behind all of the hardships that football requires, a true long lasting bond builds between the players. These bonds form from going through long, hard, practices and many other difficulties during the season.  The bond a football team has can be more important to winning games than individual talent.