Jake Owens has been a Monarch for the past three years, but he will take on a new role on the football team in 2017.
Owens will be the team's starting quarterback and plans to be one of the team's top leaders.
"I plan to set the example and win some games," he said. "I like to try to be the positive example, lead and keep these boys on the right track. I just try to keep them on the right track because, without that, who knows where we'd be."
Like Owens, Chris Livingston will also be extending his role on the team this year. It's his second year on varsity; he was on the junior varsity team as an offensive lineman and linebacker for several years before.
Last year, Livingston was the only sophomore on the offensive line, a position that thrust him into what he called a "mini-leadership role."
"Coach Parker really was trying to groom me into this leadership role, because he would always say, 'These guys aren't going to be here two years from now; only you will,'" said Livingston. "I made all the calls on the line last year. So, if I didn't have what I needed together, we were all out of whack, and that's really helping me this year."
Parker also aided Owens, he said.
"He has really stepped up and helped me a lot this summer, helping me recognize coverages, make my reads and all of that kind of stuff," Owens said.
While Owens previously just "fell in line" with the rest of the team, this year, he will be looked at on both defense and offense as one of the heads of the team.
"So, now it's not just me doing my job, but making sure everyone knows their job and executes it," he said. "I feel like I"m a vocal leader at times, but I can be a lead-by-example guy at times. I just want to show guys under me how to do it and do it right."
Both players are looking forward to being back on the field in 2017.
"I'm looking forward to that and being back in control of things," Owens said. "That is what I am used to and what I have always done, and last year was a difficult time for me to have to sit out. I am looking forward to getting back on the field."
Owens said he doesn't feel nervous about his new role.
"I've put the work in, and I'm trying to go into the season with no regrets," he said. "I'm going in and doing my thing. This year is a redemption year. Last year, we were better that a first-round playoff team, and this year is the year to prove it."
Livingston agreed.
"There's nothing to be hesitant about, because you never know what could happen in a season," he said. "So, we're just going to deal with everything as it pops up."
