Sure, the Eagles have to fill those holes just like anyone else in that situation would. But the foundation of coach Chad Worrell’s program is so strong, and the expectations so high, that the idea of rebuilding season or using youth as an excuse is simply unacceptable.
Given the success BHS has enjoyed — the Eagles have averaged 12.5 wins per season since starting their varsity program in 2013 — it would be easy to chalk up the program’s consistency to geography or other factors unique to that community. But doing so would ignore two massive self-made advantages — a program-wide work ethic that promotes internal competition and a leadership cycle that keeps the ship perpetually pointed in the right direction.
In many ways, those things are interrelated. And it’s the presence of both that has this year’s team feeling good about its chances of upholding the program’s elite tradition.