Under the lights on a Friday night, junior Brayton Carter knows exactly what he’s working toward. “My main goal is to keep improving every game, contribute to the team’s success, and be a leader on and off the field,” he said.
For Stilwell, this season has been marked by a renewed sense of focus. “The team’s energy and chemistry have been strong this year. Everyone is locked in and supporting each other,” Carter shared. That bond has turned into something even more meaningful. “Our communication and discipline. We’ve learned to trust each other more, which has made a huge difference.”
The program hasn’t been in playoff contention in recent years, but Carter and his teammates are chasing history. “We want to make the playoffs, something Stilwell hasn’t done in a very long time. We’re focused on daily practice, holding each other accountable, and staying consistent.”
Carter believes the team’s defining trait is their resilience. “Our toughness and unity—we don’t quit when things get hard,” he said. His role on both sides of the ball keeps him involved in big moments. “I play wide receiver and free safety.”
When lining up at receiver, Carter studies everything in front of him. “I focus on the alignment and tendencies of the corners, safeties, and outside backers, whether the safeties are creeping and just what coverage they are in, so I know how to run my route.”
Preparation goes beyond film and practice. “I hydrate, stretch, and stay locked in during the week with conditioning. Recovery is just as important as preparation.” That focus doesn’t change when kickoff comes. “Play fast, stay calm, and do my job to help the team win. Just try to be a ball player and go make plays.”
Legacy is something Carter thinks about often. “I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything for the program and one of the best football players to come out of this town.”
Even through the grind, football has been full of memories. “My favorite memory in a Stilwell uniform is playing our first game on the new turf and facility. That game was really fun and the whole town packed out the stadium.”
