The Marmaton Valley High School Wildcats continue filling the weight room during their summer strength and conditioning program in hopes of building on a successful 2024 campaign.
The reigning Three Rivers League champions boasted an 8-2 record last year, but they have a few holes to fill with the graduation of all-state standouts Jaedon Granere and Braydon Lawson.
“Don’t get complacent. That’s why we’re here,” said Marmaton Valley coach Max Mickunas, to his players following Wednesday’s session. “You have a target on your back. Seniors, you’ve won every league game for the last two years and are 18-10 in your high school careers. That could be a lot better by the time the season is over, but stay hungry.”
Entering his fifth season at the helm of the Wildcats, Mickunas said this summer has been the best one so far in terms of attendance. With two sessions, three days a week, Mickunas works with the high school football team at 8 a.m., then middle school and female athletes an hour later. 
“Our weights program this summer is the best it’s been as far as top to bottom attendance and how hard these guys are working,” Mickunas said. “I think these guys are hungry to continue the success we’ve had over the past few years.”
For senior lineman Chris Ferguson, he feels he’s made great strides in improving his overall athleticism. Eight-man football programs often require athletes to play offense, defense and special teams. That means athletes like Ferguson need to be faster and stronger to stay on the field longer.
“I’ve made a lot of progress in my physical capabilities,” Ferguson said. “I feel like I have a lot more stamina. We do an 800-meter run sometimes in the morning before weights, and I can do that easily now. A couple of years ago, I could barely do it. Doing a mile was a struggle, but I’m in pretty good shape.”
Ferguson said it’s not just his work ethic giving him confidence heading into the season. When struggling through a tough workout, he can look and see a teammate overcoming the same struggle. Developing strong bonds now helps when the whole team needs to work together on Friday nights.
“Hopefully, we can make it deep in the state playoffs based on what we do in the weight room,” Ferguson said. “We boost each other to be better athletes and great role models.”
While weightlifting may not be the only reason teams make deep runs in the postseason, it is a significant contributing factor. Mickunas has transformed the Wildcats from a team that struggled to string together a few wins to a perennial TRL powerhouse. That shift didn’t take place overnight, and maintaining the Wildcats’ success may be just as difficult as the climb to get them there.
“We know we have some good teams on the schedule. If we want to continue to win, we have to put the time in the weight room to have positive results,” Mickunas said.
