Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Morgan Killian-Moseley
By: Morgan Killian-Moseley
NEWTOWN, PA - This year marks the 100th season of football in the history of the George School, a Quaker private school located in Newtown, Bucks County. And though the Cougars haven’t performed well on the field, starting the season at 0-4, the fact that they’re on the field at all is a big win in of itself.
The George School was considering either transitioning to 8-man football or dropping the program altogether as late as January of this year, citing lack of player depth and fear of serious injury of what players were able to play. Those concerns caused the Cougars to forfeit two games last season due to lack of available players, as well as the resignation of head coach Dom Gregorio; and the uncertainty of the program’s status going into the year spurred several players into transferring.
After public outcry from parents and alumni, the decision was made to continue the program as is.
The task of rebuilding the program falls on the shoulders of new head coach MacAdoo Harrison-Dixon, who came to the George School from Glasgow High School in Newark, Del. Harrison-Dixon boasts over 20 years of coaching experience at the high school and semi-pro levels and played college football at the University of West Virginia and Delaware State University.
“Family, togetherness. One team, one heartbeat,” Harrison-Dixon said about the culture he wishes to instill at the George School. “Too many times, we take over teams and we overlook that. Sometimes it’s not about football, sometimes it’s just making sure these guys believe [in] and depend on one another. We’re a little young and inexperienced, and it shows in these football games; but these guys practice hard, they work hard, and they’re a great group.”
Harrison-Dixon went on to praise the senior leadership’s ability to set good examples for their teammates.
“[This coaching staff] has taken over several programs and turned them around; we find that certain kids won’t listen to certain [other] kids; but with this group our seniors… have established themselves as leaders. They’ve shown what they can do by not talking about it but by being about it. And not only do they show it out on the field, but the most important thing for us is also that they show it in the classroom.”
The George School taking the field this past Saturday vs. Virginia Academy - PSD Video by Kathy Leister
George School 1st year head coach MacAdoo Harrison-Dixon talks about the culture he intends to instill and talks about his senior leaders who are helping to lay the foundation - PSD Video by Morgan Killian-Moseley
George School senior Mike Shaw & Axton Berry leave leadership advice for their underclassmen teammates - PSD Video by Morgan Killian-Moseley
At the same time, Harrison-Dixon realizes that football isn’t everything.
“We want guys who play football, but at the same time we want guys who want to be leaders in the community. We want guys who want to be doctors, lawyers, astronauts, who want to strive to be something different,” said Harrison-Dixon. “Football is a game we get to play, you win some, you lose some. But it’s about those relationships, it’s about the journeys. It’s about these young men… being able to handle adversity throughout their lives as they grow up and being able to reflect back on some of the things they’ve learned in [their football and school experiences]. Sometimes it’s not about from A to B, it’s about what lies between A and B that makes the journey special.”
Two of the senior leaders singled out by coach Harrison-Dixon, Mike Shaw and Axton Berry, echoed their coach’s sentiments.
The George School vs. Virginia Academy - PSD Gallery by Kathy Leister
Both Shaw and Berry play running back and linebacker for the Cougars.
“We just developed a bond with everyone on this team,” Berry said. “We’re going to a team barbecue after this, we hang out together on weekends. It’s just the sense of community, everyone here has each other’s back. That bond stays for life, and I want to keep bonds like that for the rest of my life, even if it’s not necessarily football.”
“Being senior captains, it’s our responsibility to hold everybody accountable,” Shaw added. “Whether that’s in the classroom or the workplace, you just want to make everyone around you better.”
As for advice about football, Berry suggests being a student of the game.
“Take the time to learn the game and understand the fundamentals,” Berry said. “If you have free time in your day… watch college football or go to your local high school game just to learn the game. Take the time to get involved in the game before you step out on the field for the first time, and it could really help a lot.”
What we do with our opportunities shapes our lives, especially second chances. The George School’s football program got its second chance, and everyone involved in that program is going to make the most of every opportunity they get; on the gridiron, in the classroom, and in the community.