Players view each season differently from coaches. The main reason is a player has only four seasons in high school football to reach their goals. As such, they have a tighter window with fewer opportunities to achieve what most athletes want to attain - a championship.
As a coach, I want the path to attaining a championship to be worth the trek. My goal is to field a schedule which will help create an experience where there will be no regrets. Too often, the regrets we have come from setting low expectations or to easily attainable goals.
As the Head Coach, I set the schedule for our team. I schedule games up to two years in advance. This means I have to gauge and predict the caliber of our team years in advance of the player's maturation.
For me, I like to err on the side of having no regrets. This is to say, I look ahead and put on the schedule teams which I pray will stretch our abilities as a team. I am not looking to get our butts thoroughly whipped; however, between losing or being the overwhelming favorite I err on the side of playing the harder schedule.
One of the driving reasons for scheduling harder teams is my desire that our players never have any regrets. I want them to know they competed against some of the best in the state and never regret what might have been had they played a harder schedule.
We encourage our players to set goals in life which are not easily attainable because regret comes from reaching easily obtainable goals. There is a hollow feeling when you reach the summit and you realize the path was not worth the minimal effort asserted.
The Bible refers to regret as a way for Satan to destroy you mentally. Regret can be devastating if we don’t keep it in check. I urge you to live with no regrets and you can make this happen by taking control of your fear.
It is our fears which lead us not to push ourselves. It is our fear or losing which leads us to schedule easier teams so don't follow the herd, don't take the path less traveled or most importantly finish the race of faith.
Look forward to your reward in heaven because the ultimate regret is that you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
Do not fear failure but be terrified of regret. Set your goals high and do not fear not being able to attain them. Finally, learn to fight the good fight of faith and put the Lord first in your life and make him the master of your destiny. He will be sure to set the best schedule for your life and one which will leave you with no regrets.