On October 10, 2013, Sanford Seminoles’ freshmen team members were notified they were officially going to be moving to the varsity team. Seventeen of the freshman players would be moving to varsity, compared to only four players last year.

Many of the players hoped that the new players would help raise the school’s win-loss ratio from this year’s 2-8. This was reasonable since the freshman team remained undefeated its entire 2013 season, and had won by an average of 23 points per game.

Coach Kerry Wiggins Sr. said that they move the players every year if, “we feel like we have guys that can come up and learn the system and can possibly contribute as sophomores next year.”

Varsity player and senior Devon Badger said, “I see them [the freshman varsity players] as the future of Seminole football.”

“I see them as younger brothers; I want to teach them stuff,” said junior and varsity player Danyel Mariano regarding the new freshmen players.

Although moving up to the varsity level was enjoyable to the freshmen, leaving their former team behind was difficult.

“It was so awkward when we walked out and everyone was just sitting there in the locker room,” remarked freshmen Dillon David and Hunter Shadrix.

The freshmen team still remained supportive of their former teammates.

Former team-mate on the freshman Sanford Seminoles team, Jared Dodd said, “Of course everyone seemed thrilled they were moving up; they were very excited for the team.”

The seventeen players who have moved from the freshman to the varsity team are Toby Alexander, Demarco (DJ) Artis, Marcus Barrnett, Brandon Blyseth, Marcus Byrd, Johnny Cooper, Tyrik Daniels, Dillon David, Gabriel Davis, Dajaion Manior, Andrew Martinez, Kevin Nelson, Payton Rivers, Benjamin (Ben) Roth, Hunter Shadrix, Deoante Stewart, and Kaylan Wiggins.

The ‘Noles have had many additions to their team, a shockingly large number compared to last year, but have adapted well to the change so far.