After winning his debut game last week against Arkansas, junior Clete Norton has a little weight taken off his shoulders.

Norton said he was happy with how the team played for the first game, even though many people thought the inexperience of the team would affect the outcome.

“I thought we did good for our team being so inexperienced and for it being our first time out,”  Norton said.

Being a leader of a team is difficult, especially for the younger players. There are many different views on whether age makes a difference, but Norton doesn’t use this as an excuse.

“I don’t think my age makes a difference,” Norton said. “Before me, there have been a lot of young quarterbacks that have started on varsity.”

People tend to look down upon younger or less experienced players and doubt their abilities. With some athletes, the negative comments bring their self esteem down. Other athletes, such as Norton, use the criticism to set higher standards.

“If anything, the lack of faith makes me play better,” Norton said. “It gives me more motivation to work and practice harder.”

If having to deal with all of this isn’t enough, Norton also has to deal with the pressure of being the head coach’s son.

“It isn’t as bad as most people would expect,” Norton said. “But at the same time, there is a little pressure because I want to make him proud.”

For those who think he plays quarterback because of his dad, Norton assures them that he’s had to work for his position.

“[People are going to say things] like that with any coach’s son playing, but the fact that I am quarterback magnifies that a lot,” Norton said. “As our coaches say, we will all earn our playing time, and I am going to do the best I can to help our football team.”

As with any team, there are weaknesses and strengths.

“One of the team’s weaknesses would be that we have a lot of inexperienced young players. Not saying we are bad, just inexperienced,” Norton said “The strengths would be that we are very quick, and we have a great offensive line.”

Norton has plans for where he wants to take the team this year.

“The main goal would be a state championship,” Norton said. “I want to win district and make it as far as we can in the playoffs.”