Cruz Seppala • Classical Academy Football

Image Courtesy of Premier Studio @premierstudiofl on IG

Cruz Seppala is no stranger to eight-man, he’s been playing since the seventh grade. He is a sophomore now, wears No. 3, and plays running back and linebacker as a leader of his Classical Academy team.

SLAM Tampa beat the Patriots 42-14 and left Classical 1-1. Seppala did not treat it like a funeral. He treated it like film. "I had good coverage. But I was gassed, bro. We need to condition a little more." The next week, in his mind, is already a reset: stay physical, stay in coverage, and last longer than he did on that Saturday.

He still found the ball. "Yeah, I got one sack early on. Then I was just tackling the running back and covering him." That is the eight-man tax. You cover. You tackle. You rush. Then you do it again in the heat until the tank is empty.

What he is taking into the next practice is not a scheme tweak. "Giving it my all. Making sure I’m ready for the heat. Then making sure I’m out-physicaling them." Same kid who, before the game, said the way a sophomore grows up here is this: "Be more of an example. Be a leader."

Classical opened with a 45-0 win over Riverview Academy. The SLAM loss was the first real punch. Seppala is not shrinking the year to that scoreboard. "We’re looking for that chip. Championship. So our seniors can enjoy it and we can honor them."

The early-season loss did not change what he wants. It just made the ask louder. Condition better. Play through the heat, and keep the seniors in the fight long enough to chase the chip they have in sight.