By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – As anticipation builds for Friday night’s game, Chatham Central football coach Derrin Little is laser-focused on ensuring his team comes out swinging. The coach emphasizes the importance of starting strong, eliminating small errors, and maintaining discipline on the field. With his team hungry for their second win, coach Little believes that setting the tone early will be key to success against Graham.
Setting the Tone: The Key to Friday night’s Game
For coach Derrin Little and his team, Friday’s game represents more than just another battle on the gridiron—it’s an opportunity to prove they can take control from the start. Reflecting on their performance so far, the coach stressed one recurring theme: the need to throw the first punch.
“I don’t think we’ve come out and thrown the first punch in any game this year—not even in the one we won,” coach Little remarked candidly during the weekly Chatham NC Sports Roundup Livestream with Asheebo Rojas of the Chatham News & Record and me. “We harp on our kids about it, that right now, we’re just not a good enough football program to be playing from behind.”
Coach Little’s assessment of his team’s previous performances is grounded in experience. Even in games where they managed to rally in the second half, the deficit created early on proved too difficult to overcome. For this reason, Friday’s game plan is crystal clear: establish early dominance.
“We look so much better in the second half most times than we do in the first, but the hole is just too big for us to climb out of sometimes,” Little noted. “This week, we’ve really focused on coming out and throwing that first punch.”
Eliminating the Small Mistakes: A Focus on Discipline
One of the core areas coach Little is zeroing in on for the game against Graham is eliminating the minor mistakes that can lead to major setbacks. “It’s the little things for us,” he explained. “A false start when we’re on the three-yard line, for example, can suddenly push us back to the eight-yard line. It’s those kinds of mistakes that we just can’t afford.”
While these small infractions may seem trivial in the moment, they accumulate over time, costing the team valuable yardage and, ultimately, opportunities to score. Little’s emphasis on discipline is not just about physical readiness but mental focus, too. Knowing where to align, running to the ball, and paying attention to the smallest details are the building blocks of a winning team.
“It’s always going to be the little things for us,” Little said with conviction. “That’s what we harp on. And above all, we just can’t beat ourselves.”
Keys to Victory: More Than Just Strategy
Beyond the tactical aspects of the game, Little sees the Graham matchup as an opportunity for his team to show growth, not just as football players but as individuals committed to the process of improvement. His message to the players has been clear: leave nothing behind.
“The one thing I want to see our boys do this week is throw that first punch,” Little reiterated. “If we play hard and give it everything we’ve got until the final whistle, we’ll be able to look ourselves in the mirror Saturday morning, knowing we left it all on the field.”
Little’s coaching philosophy is about more than just football. His focus on discipline, attention to detail, and resilience aims to shape the young athletes in his care for success both on and off the field. With each practice, Little pushes his team to hold themselves to a higher standard, recognizing that the lessons learned in the heat of competition carry over into everyday life.
Team Dynamics: Fostering Growth and Unity
Another crucial element of coach Little’s game plan for the contest against Graham is the sense of unity and camaraderie he has built within his team. As the season progresses, the bonds between players have grown stronger, something Little sees as integral to their success.
“We’ve worked hard to create a team atmosphere where everyone is pulling for one another,” Kelly shared. “When we come together like that, it translates into how we play on the field. Football is a team sport in every sense of the word.”
In a sport where individual talent often garners the spotlight, Little’s emphasis on teamwork stands out. For him, no one player is bigger than the team, and victories are earned through collective effort.
“Whether it’s blocking, tackling, or making a big play, everyone has a role to play,” Kelly continued. “We don’t win unless every guy is doing their job.”
This philosophy will be put to the test on Friday, as Little’s team takes on the Graham squad. Still, the coach remains confident that if his players embrace their roles and focus on the little things, they will emerge victorious.
Looking Ahead: Beyond Tomorrow’s Game
While Friday’s game is a critical moment in the season, coach Little has his sights set on long-term growth. Every game is a stepping stone toward building a program that can compete at a high level, week in and week out.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” Little said. “But everything we’re doing this season is about laying the foundation for the future.”
That future, Little hopes, includes turning his team into a consistent contender. By focusing on fundamentals, cultivating discipline, and fostering a culture of hard work, the coach is confident that his program is headed in the right direction.
“Right now, it’s about building something sustainable,” Little remarked. “We want to be in a position where we can compete every year, not just for one season.”
A Game That Could Define the Season
As Coach Kelly and his team prepare for Friday night’s game against Graham, one thing is clear: it will be a defining moment for the season. Whether they emerge victorious or not, the game will provide invaluable lessons and insights into the team’s growth.
“We just want to play hard, play smart, and leave it all out there,” Little concluded. “If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”