Editor's Note: Ben Stallman is a senior at Souhegan High School and a wide receiver/defensive back on the SHS football team. He entered the 2008 season with 60 career receptions, which is a school record. He also set the school record for receptions in a season when he caught 35 passes last year. Ben was named to the Division III All-State First Team following the 2007 season. His Varsity Insider column will appear each week throughout the season.

With every day crossed off on the calendar, the Division III semifinal match-up between Goffstown High School and Souhegan High School draws ever closer. Each team comes in red-hot, with Goffstown winning four of its last five games after a slow start. Souhegan comes in riding an undefeated season, seeking perfection at last. Though the regular-season contest between these two playoff teams was not close, with Souhegan taking it 41-0, Goffstown has changed up its personnel and it has benefited the Grizzlies greatly. However, the coaching staff for Souhegan will have the Sabers working harder than ever in practice, more so than a normal week.

Every Monday is film sessions for the Sabers, dissecting the previous week's game, seeing even in victory how badly some of us played on certain snaps, and all of the coaches are not hesitant to point out these flaws in the least bit. Even over the yelling however, the players know it is to benefit them, and see through the noise. Then thought turns to the next week's game, viewing previous years' games against that team and other film helpful against that team. In a playoff week however, the coaches will pour on a heavy dose of the footage, pointing out any weak area where we could possibly strike our opponent. To many of the players it seems tedious, but we all know that this may possibly be the most important day of the week, so we are certain to not zone out.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are offensive and defensive practices, and are definitely the most intense days of the week. Most weeks, the coaches keep their heads, helping the players to learn new skills and learn from their mistakes. However, with a playoff game looming right around the corner, all courtesy is thrown out the window.  The coaches let their points and thoughts be known loud and clear, from a player mouthing off to a false start during drills, the players feel a lot more pressure during these days as the intensity is turned up several notches.

Thursdays and Fridays are used as mental days, and days to rest sore muscles. Just because the hitting is not as intense does not mean the mindsets of the coaches and players is not. The majority of the practices are spent learning the ins and outs of the special teams part of the game, perfecting every single one, and the players at Souhegan have always taken great pride in special teams. After Friday practices the team gathers for a last meeting, watching game film and highlights from the last week to get every player's mind thinking only of one thing: winning the game the next day. 

Pre-game Saturdays, however, are the most serious times of each week. As I draw near the locker room, I can hear the speakers blasting music from a mile away, as they have to be the biggest speakers in the state.  Walking down into it, I can see a look of anxiety and seriousness on each and every player's face from varsity right down to freshman. Talking to any player I can hint the business-like tone that has to be associated with attempting to win a championship. Every playoff game has to be played to the fullest like it is the last time you will ever lace up cleats and step on the field. As I sit in the locker room before facing Goffstown this Saturday, I am sure I will hear and see the same things described.  Everyone has that same common goal, championship or bust.