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Winfield-Mount Union football: Family
Wolves’ camaraderie on display in state semifinal run
WINFIELD — Winfield-Mount Union football had a historical season in 2023 and while the Wolves came up two wins short of their state title goal, the season always meant so much more than what transpired on the field.
While the Wolves’ 11 straight wins and No. 1 ranking were something to hold their head high on, the emotional connection and battling each and every week beside one another as ‘brothers’ is really what it was all about.
Family is everything for WMU and for the seven seniors on the Wolves’ squad it’s been a long journey with one another and 2023 couldn’t have been much sweeter.
After the Wolves’ season ending loss to Bishop Garrigan in the 8-Player state semifinals, an emotional Cam Buffington said he’s proud of the way they fought and the way they represented their town.
“I told the guys, we're not scared,” the senior said. “I told them to never quit. We're just trying to play our game, no matter if we're banged up or not. We're trying to represent the town. Trying to do everything we can.”
“I’ll go battle for them every day of the week,” Buffington said. “Words can’t explain how much I love those guys and how much they fought. They didn’t want to quit either.”
Fellow seniors, Abram Edwards and Cole Milks reiterated Buffington’s sentiment to this teams heart and will to never let up.
“We were down a lot of guys, but we kept fighting through the whole game,” Edwards said. “I think that shows just how tough we are.”
“It was a great journey with all those guys. I wish it would have ended differently.”
Milks said this team played for one another and always had dreams to be the next Wolves’ team to make it to the dome.
“We were like a family,” Milks said. “We bonded really well, ever since youth. We always said we were going to be the next team to go to the Dome.”
For WMU head football coach Scott McCarty it’s been a pleasure coaching this years’ team.
“We're going to miss their play,” McCarty said. “But we're going to miss who they are just as much.”
“Ever since they were little, that has always been goal, to be here and to play here,” McCarty said of playing in the UNI-Dome. “Everything they've done has been with a single focus.”
The Wolves say goodbye to seven seniors. Carter Loyd, Cole Milks, Cam Buffington, Kael Johnson, Eli Miller, Jarit Tapia and Abram Edwards.
