The King’s Academy football program lives by a seven-word belief that has nothing to do with playing or winning football games.
“A team that prays together, stays together,” explained TKA head varsity football coach Dan Burack, now in his second year as the head coach for the Lions.
To help implement that belief, the TKA football team prays as a group before every practice, prays as a group after every practice and prays together after every game with the opposing team.
“It’s great that two teams can play a tough, physical football game and then agree to pray together afterward,” said Burack, who was an all-county and all-state middle linebacker on Glades Day School’s state championship football team in 2006. “It’s amazing to see more than 100 people — players, coaches and cheerleaders — gather together at the 50-yard line praying together after a very competitive football game.”
But the big event for the TKA football team is when the team gathers in the school cafeteria every Thursday night prior to a Friday night game for a 90-minute session featuring food, family, fellowship and scripture.
This team-bonding concept was introduced by Burack when he assumed control of the football program two years ago. For this gathering, all 62 varsity and junior varsity football players, all nine football coaches and the coaches’ family members meet for a dinner catered by many of the football team moms.
“We eat well,” Burack said. “We’ve had baked ziti, tacos, and chicken and rice.”
For this time of fellowship, everybody in the room turns off their cell phones, and starts listening and learning.
“Every coach in the room gives a devotional and how they got to know God,” said Burack, who played college football at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. “We talk about life and what it means to be a man.”
As a result of developing Christian-based relationships, the players become more than just teammates.
“Our players are not just close teammates,” Burack said. “They grow to love each other, and they develop strong, lifelong friendships. As a result, they will play for one another in football games.”
When Burack hears players quoting scripture and sees upperclassmen providing guidance to lowerclassman, it confirms that those fellowship gatherings are reaping dividends.
“We use football as a vehicle to teach our players about God’s will,” Burack said. “It’s something special.”
As a result of teaching and reinforcing these values, philosophies and approaches to life, the TKA football players are able to form a powerful bond and, as a result, they play better as a team during football games.
TKA’s belief system is working off the field and on the field, as the football team is currently undefeated (4-0) after winning its first four regular season games — two of which were shutouts — and is focused on continuing those winning ways for the balance of the regular season and into the postseason.
The King’s Academy will be pursuing its fifth win of the regular season Thursday, Sept. 26 when the Lions travel to Riviera Beach to play Inlet Grove High School.
