Hillside High School football head coach Torrey Nowell joined the team in July of 2023, only a couple months before the beginning of a season. With almost no returning players, a new coach was tasked with leading a new team to victory throughout the 2023 season. As he prays with his team before a game, he tries to bridge the gap between them.
Hillside senior RB Desmond Smith (19) breaks through East Chapel Hill defenders. Despite their lack of experience, Hillside managed to win the first game of the season.
Hillside's victory didn't last for long. After winning the season opener, Hillside proceeded to lose their next four games. Hillside senior RB Desmond Smith (19) buries his head in his hands during one of those losses after failing to reach first down on a drive. "Early in the season, we made a lot of mistakes," said Coach Nowell.
After losses, the Hillside locker room is silent as a team that hasn't truly won together takes off their gear and heads home after a long Friday night.
"Football is a very emotional game, but you can't let emotions get the best of you," said Coach Nowell. During one of Hillside's losses, he yells at his offensive line to pull it together and get the ball down the field.
Hillside's players practice from the minute they get out of school until the sun goes down, four days a week. They share the field with the JV team, which many of them were on last year.
Hillside junior RB Ameil Braswell (11) is brought to the ground by Riverside defenders. "He turned into a monster as the season went on," said Coach Nowell as he praised Braswell.
Down at halftime, Hillside players rest and recover in the adjacent baseball field while listening to Coach Nowell's game plan.
"I think our kids are getting better every day," said Coach Nowell. "And I think they started to believe." At the Durham-Chapel Hill Conference Championship, friends and family cheer on Hillside as they fight for the conference title. Many parents come out every week to cheer on their kids from the stands.
Hillside High School football head coach Torrey Nowell celebrates in the locker room with his team after winning the Durham-Chapel Hill Conference Championship in OT on Oct. 27, 2023. Nowell and his coaching staff led Hillside to a winning season despite it being their first year with the team. "I thought it was pretty cool to just celebrate with them," said Coach Nowell. "Just let them know I was proud of them."
