After Catoosa’s football team went 0-7 last season, linebacker Danny Rowe entered his senior season determined to get a win and to finish his high school career on a high note. Catoosa broke into the win column with an exciting 19-18 triumph over Claremore on Sept. 17, snapping an 11-game losing streak. The Indians then followed that up with a 9-7 nail-biting victory over Skiatook on Sept. 24 to give them a 2-2 mark through their first four outings.

Rowe believes a refreshing approach by new head coach Christian Hood and his staff has made a big difference in the squad’s attitude.

“The whole team’s having fun,” Rowe said. “The new coaches, they did a lot for us, they made it seem like it’s not a job, made it feel like a game still, so we decided we’re going to have fun.

“It was heart-breaking last year. I think it fueled the whole team this year. We talked about it, all the seniors did, ‘We can’t go 0-7 again, we got to win a game,’ and these coaches came in and said, ‘If you have my back, we’ll have yours and we’ll win games.’”

Individually, Rowe has made the commitment to dedicate more effort into practice and preparation and he’s seeing the results play out on the field this season.

“Last year, I didn’t give 100 percent in practice,” Rowe admitted. “This year, I’ve decided, ‘It’s my senior year, I’m going to give everything that I got,’ so in practice, I have to go 100 percent, I had to get conditioned. So, I’ve just been giving 100 percent in practice, I’m actually showing up to workouts, working out, and giving my all for my senior year. I feel like I’m doing pretty good. Some spots, like when I get double-teamed, it gets a little rough with me, but I feel like I’ve been playing a lot better than I played last year. I’m actually starting to understand the game better. I feel like I’m doing a lot better.”

Rowe doesn’t just play football. He also is a huge part of the Catoosa wrestling team, placing second in the 220-pound weight bracket at last year’s Class 4A East Regional and finishing fourth at the 4A state meet. Still, football is his favorite, and has been since he began playing in fifth grade.

“I fell in love with the game of football ever since I saw my older cousin playing it,” Rowe said. “I said, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ and I’ve loved it ever since.”