a learning experience,”” ally work as a team,” stat-
stated Theal. “I was able ed Theal. “We were able to
to learn the team, be- get chemistry going. We
cause it was my first year. just built a family, so we
I came in new with coach can come out this season
Licata. In the offseason and perform. Not only did
we grew as a family, and I work on throwing, foot-
it has grown into a re- work and all that stuff,
but I also
ally good
w o r k e d
chemistry
“After
everything on being
and bond.
team.
In the off- that happen last year a
s e a s o n it was a learning ex- That’s ex-
we
had
remely
perience,””
stated t i m
to
think
portant
about that Theal. “I was able to having
a
(the win- learn the team, be- family and
less
sea- cause it was my first c h e m i s t r y
with
one
son)
be-
cause we year. I came in new another.”
While Li-
had noth- with coach Licata.
ing else to In the offseason we cata knows
look back
a lot of
grew as a family, and c o a c h i n g
on.”
The sea- it has grown into a re- q u a r t e r -
son didn’t ally good chemistry backs, The-
go accord-
al
wasn’t
afraid
to
ing to plan and bond.
seek other
for Theal
or the Tigers. There were voices. He felt the more
some close losses and he could learn the bet-
then the lopsided loss to ter off he would be. With
Canisius that got every- having different coaches
one talking. The Crusad- in his camp, it allowed
ers putting up 70 points Theal to learn different
on the Timon pretty much things from each.
One coach could be
showed with the program
was at the moment and harping just on foot skills,
while another would be
where it needed to be.
It was awake up call working on arm angles.
for Theal and the 16 or The more coaching The-
20 boys on the team that al received the better he
things needed to change was becoming. True he
quickly, or teams would was getting better, but
be putting 70 points on it was also about getting
them regularly. As the the team better.
face of the program, The-
“I work with coach Lica-
al took it upon himself to ta in the offseason at his
get better.
football camp. I also work
He was showing his with two other coaches
teammates that losing and they have made me
wasn’t acceptable. He was into the quarterback I am
showing his team and today,” stated Theal. “You
the community that he have multiple people
was going to everything coming at you, and they
possible to make himself are all saying the same
better, and to get this pro- thing – just in a differ-
gram back to the top.
ent way. It has helped me
When the season was become the player that I
over, and the healing was am.”
beginning, Theal put him-
This season, Thrall has
self into getting better. the complete confidence
He went to camp all off- of the coaching staff as
season and worked with he was handed the keys
Licata, who was a former to the car. Licata while at
college and NFL quarter- Williamsville South was
back, along with other given the ability to call
plays on his own from
quarterback coaches.
Working on getting bet- what he saw at the line of
ter was the only thing on scrimmage.
He sees a little of him-
his mind as the offseason
was grinding along.
self in Theal. Theal has
“In the offseason we re- become a student of the
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 | SportsUnion
game. He works hard in
the weight room, film
room and on the field to
become the type of leader
the Tigers have been look-
ing for. Theal now has the
chance to lead this team
back to the top.
While teams were good
under Myers, they never
won a title. In fact the last
championship for foot-
ball came back in 2002
under legendary coach
Paul Fitzpatrick Sr. Teams
have been good – but hav-
en’t been able to get over
the hump as schools like
Canisius, St. Joe’s and St.
Francis have been pulling
away from the rest of the
pack.
Most of that has to do
with those schools having
21
state-of-the-art facilities.
Theal, however, knows
how much the South Buf-
falo community wants a
winner. He understands
the tradition of putting
on the jersey with Timon
across the front.
He understands the tra-
dition of playing home
games on Friday night at
Tifft Farm, while alum-
ni come out to watch the
team play. None of this
has been lost on him or
his teammates.
“We definitely are un-
der the radar, but it’s
good,” stated Theal. “It’s
the circle right here (as he
points to his teammates)
that believes in us. And,
that’s all the matters.”