Following the heartbreaking, 2-point loss to Stanford in the 2016 Sun Bowl, Carolina enters the New Year facing fresh issues.North Carolina had a good football season this past year ending with an 8 and 4 record.When the Heels arrived in El Paso, Texas to prepare for a possible bowl victory; little did our team know how challenging the game would prove to be mentally, emotionally and physically. Expectations and emotions ran high long before the kick-off. As the time quickly ticked away and players grew weary, it was clear that Carolina would not go home with the victory. It would be the last game in blue and white for seniors such as Ryan Switzer, Bug Howard, and Mack Hollins. The Heels finished their season at 8 and 5 and were second in the Costal division.Carolina football has the greatest fan base; fans that have proven they will stand out in a hurricane or freezing temperatures to watch a game.The fans motivated the players and the coaches to play better each week, so as fans, our job is to bring the energy and the hope for the team.
Unfortunately, the team lost fifteen players at the end of the 2016 season. These players have already graduated or will graduate this May.Some of them are going to the National Football League (NFL) combine, some will explore the world, or land a great career.What is to be expected of the team in the fall of this year? The Heels need a faster and better-structured offense. The defense needs to step up and work on keeping the ball on the other side of the fifty-yard line. The hardest spots to fill are going to be positions like Ryan Switzer and Nick Weiler’s.Switzer ended his career at Carolina as the all-time leading receiving yards with 2,841 under his belt. Nick Weiler kicked a 54-yard field goal against Florida State which became the longest of his career. Once the season ended, the worst news circled around campus that Mitch Trubisky could be leaving for the NFL and Coach Fedora could be heading south to LSU. As of right now, Fedora is staying with us but we are all eagerly waiting for the decision on Mitch’s future.What will Carolina football be without Mr. Bisky at the helm? Could this be the end of a great run or a new beginning?
One thing is for certain, we will know more as the months stretch onward towards August. If we can ever think about another great season, then more players will need to step up and take the lead. As for another bowl game opportunity, the team needs to do better than their 8-5 record.We need to be smart, fast, and physical (wait, isn’t that the football team’s slogan?); the Heels need to live up to this slogan if there is a chance for another great season and another bowl trophy coming home to the Hill.Step up and support our team in their efforts!
