Haven’s Sadler DeFrain is embracing every part of the journey of the upcoming football season — even the parts most players might dread.
“There are a number of things I’m excited for,” DeFrain said. “Even when it comes to the things that most people dread, I look forward to it all.”
For DeFrain, football is about more than just Friday night games. The offseason conditioning, weightlifting sessions and summer practices are opportunities to improve while spending time with teammates.
“I look forward to conditioning and practice because I get to spend time with my team,” he said. “There are plenty of good laughs that happen during conditioning.”
Still, nothing compares to game night.
“There is no better feeling than stepping onto the field under the Friday night lights, with loads of adrenaline pumping through my veins,” DeFrain said. “I like a good rough, full-contact sport, so I look forward to being able to put on the football gear too.”
Preparation has been a major focus throughout the offseason. DeFrain has spent his summer participating in Haven’s strength and conditioning program while also continuing workouts at his family’s home gym.
“One of my biggest priorities in life is exercise,” he said. “Not only do I work out for football, but I also enjoy it greatly.”
The summer program emphasizes strength, agility and speed while also providing opportunities to work on football-specific skills. In addition to weightlifting, the Wildcats spend time reviewing plays, refining techniques and attending a weeklong football camp.
Despite his dedication, DeFrain knows there is room for improvement.
One of the biggest lessons he learned from last season was the need to trust his instincts on the field.
“One thing that really dragged my skills down was how robotic I played,” DeFrain said. “I was too methodical and was always trying to calculate the action out, and this slowed me down.”
Coaches have encouraged him to play with greater confidence and react naturally instead of overthinking situations. Improving his tackling has also been a priority.
“I didn’t have the best tackling form, and I never could keep a good grip on my opponent,” he said.
The work he has put in during the offseason has helped address those concerns. Increased strength in the weight room has boosted his confidence, while summer tackling drills have helped sharpen his defensive technique.
As the season approaches, DeFrain’s goals are centered on helping his team rather than chasing individual accomplishments.
“I just want to be someone that my team trusts to make a tackle,” he said. “I want to be able to be a playmaker on defense.”
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