TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Chiles football is embracing a new identity built on family and leadership, and players say it's making the difference this season.
- Chiles earned its first win ever against Wakulla this season.
- Head Coach Bill Ragans is bringing lessons from his FSU playing days.
- Watch the video to see how players say the culture has shifted and how it led to a win against Rickards on Friday.
UPDATE (11:00 p.m.):
Friday night at Chiles High School wasn't just about touchdowns and tackles. It was about honor, sacrifice, and community.
Chiles defeated Rickards 37-20, and students, faculty, and fans came together for a special evening to recognize the men and women who serve and protect us every day on Military and First Responder Appreciation Night.
Military service members, veterans, and first responders were honored on the field in front of a packed crowd.
Chiles principal Joe Burgess says those men and women deserve to be recognized.
"Well, first of all, it is our appreciation for those who have sacrificed for us, so freedom is not free...We are always going to thank our military for what they do, but we also want to thank our first responders who put themselves on the line every day to take care of us and the citizens here and across the country. It's just a small thing we can do to give our testament to their appreciation," Burgess said.
As part of the evening's appreciation, Chiles had a special honorary captain join them on the field.
Veteran Arnie, proudly representing those who've served, walked out with the Timberwolves and took part in the pregame coin toss at midfield. The moment was met with loud applause from the stands.
Arnie said, "It's very humbling, a very humbling experience. I know some friends that didn't come back, personal friends, and to know that I can basically be here to represent them in a small small way is tremendous."
For what happened on the gridiron, Rickards took an early 7-point lead. That woke up the Timberwolves who scored 24 unanswered points to end the half. And they never looked back keeping the Raiders in check and winning this game 37-20.
With a win in the books for Chiles, they move to 3-1 on the season. It was a night to remember, where Friday night lights met something far greater: the appreciation of service.
Earlier:
It's Friday night football once again here in the Big Bend. Tonight's matchup we have Chiles hosting Rickards in a Tallahassee showdown.
This year's Chiles football team has a different feel to it after getting their first win against Wakulla in program history and building a culture around family.
Defensive back Alex Assantes said, "Chiles football is a family. We're all together. We have one goal, and that goal is to win."
The leadership on this team has made a big difference in that culture.
Bill Ragans, former FSU defensive back and now head coach of Chiles, told me how he hopes he can pass on his knowledge to his kids about this special game.
"I hope our kids will take my mentality from my playing days. Football is a special sport. The things you learn are gonna last you a life time, not giving up when things get tough, all the things you learn playing football are so valuable. To help these kids become young men, I'm excited about that part of it as well," said Coach Ragans.
And players are taking in those valuable lessons.
Offensive lineman Mykall Lundy talked to me about the change Coach Ragans is making.
Lundy said, "We care about people, and I think that is a big part of Chiles football...Ever since he's been the head coach, he's always been on my but about being a leader and making sure everything is done right. He's flipped the culture from just doing things the way we want to do, to doing everything right."
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