After a tragedy, the first step towards success is moving forward. Last week against Del Oro quarterback Max O’Rourke broke his leg during the fourth quarter. The cause, he would later find out in the hospital, was a benign tumor in his leg. The news is shocking not only to Max and his family but also campus wide. Max will be able to make a full recovery from the injury but it raises many questions about how the team will perform.

Backup quarterback Will Floyd filled in nicely by leading an impressive touchdown drive in the closing minutes of the Del Oro game, throwing the game winning touchdown pass to Wesley Preece with 40 seconds left in the game.

Will Floyd will get the start this week against Woodcreek and hopes to build off the success he had against Del Oro in the final minutes of the game. Woodcreek has a record of  5-1 coming into the game and is ranked 17 in the section according to MaxPreps. Rocklin is 6-0 and ranked second in the section according to MaxPreps but with the absence Max, this could be a challenge to uphold

“We have been preparing like any other week, Max is a special player out there on the field and has an incredible ability to lead so everyone has to pick up some slack now that he is not out there,” said Will Floyd.

Max was a leader on the field and his presence will be missed. Will Floyd has the tough task of filling in for Max for the remainder of the season.

“Being a backup quarterback you still have to work hard because anyone can go down with an injury, even the starter can go down at any given time and I know I can never fill Max’s shoes but I have been working hard to be as good as I can be out there,” said Will.

Woodcreek is a solid team this year and Rocklin will have to battle it out in another tough SFL contest. Rocklin will not only be missing Max as their quarterback but also as their kicker.

“Max is a special athlete, he is a great quarterback and kicker, and he is a great leader out there and everyone is picking up a little slack he has left in the leadership position. We had a team kicking competition to see who is going to kick, and we brought up the JV quarterback so we will rally and play a good game against Woodcreek,” said Will.

Having to face a talented Woodcreek team after losing Max for the season is a tough task but Rocklin has prepared for the game well and has a capable backup in Will Floyd to play a solid game. Rocklin will be rallying around Max, and players will have to step as leaders on the field in order to move forward without him.