As the football season continues, North Decatur’s team also charges on with a program that helps the players think of more than themselves.

Each week, Coach Jim Louder explained, the boys have the opportunity to fill out an application for a person to whom they would like to dedicate the game. When all the forms are in, the four captains sit down and make the decision. Come Friday night, the players head onto the field with that person or family as part of the inspiration for their efforts.

The program, called “Tonight We Ride for You,” is an effort to get the boys thinking, he said, which was a joint idea between himself and youth minister Dave Gehrich. This way each game has a focus that is not on individual accolades but rather to honor someone whom they have decided deserves it. The chosen person or family is invited to be on the sidelines during the game as well as to participate in pre and post-game activities. The following Thursday, they are included in the team dinner.

“The kids feel good about it and enjoy doing it,” Louder said.

There is an inherent responsibility, he explained, in being a member of the football team. He hopes to instill an understanding of what it means to represent the school, the coaches and the team. This is why the players are also required to dress up on game day.

“We dress special because it is a special day,” he said.

Under their jerseys on Fridays, they can be seen in dress pants, button down shirts and ties. The eyes of the community are on the young men, and dressing differently helps them to understand the responsibility that brings.

When the collars are unbuttoned and the ties traded for shoulder pads, the team will charge onto the field tonight, riding for Wilbur Tressler through the Homecoming event.