'LET'S GO SHOCK THE STATE:' IN JUST TWO YEARS, ERIK LINK HAS ROOSEVELT FOOTBALL ON THE VERGE OF CONTENTION

Des Moines Roosevelt's football team begins preparations for each Friday on a Monday afternoon in a classroom tucked away on the school’s north side. Lying on the floor, leaning against the wall and sitting in desks, all 55 varsity players cram into a room built for 30. Their attention is on the booming voice in the front of the room. There, coach Erik Link reviews last week’s film. The Roughriders beat Ottumwa 28-6 to improve to 3-1. Link thinks they should’ve scored more. His roar carries through the closed door and down the hall — not in a vicious manner, inasmuch as he just wants to ensure they understand. Friday’s game is huge, he says. Be ready. Roosevelt hosts Waukee in its first district game of the season. The Riders haven’t reached the playoffs since 1996 and haven’t posted a winning record since 2006. A win over Waukee (2-2), a state quarterfinalist last year, would better their chances of breaking both streaks. But even more, the game will be another barometer, both for the progress of Link's team and his own coaching abilities. Roosevelt went winless in 2015. Link was hired the following February, and found three wins last fall. That total is already matched through the first four games this year. So Link's voice is sharp. Over the next hour, he critiques the offense and defense: the blocking schemes, the quarterback’s decisions, the running back’s vision. Himself a Des Moines North product, Link understands the stigma surrounding the city schools. But deep down, he believes. With the right coaches and players, it’s possible for these programs to win. After film review and a workout, Link gathers his team on the practice field next to the school. He asks them to take off their helmets so he can look them in the eyes. “This is why we play, why we coach and why we compete,” Link tells them, referencing Friday’s game. “It’s a big stage for big players to step up and make big plays. If we want to give ourselves a chance, we need to be the best versions of ourselves. Do you understand?” “Yes, Coach!” the Roughriders holler in unison. “Good,” Link says. “Now let’s go shock the state.” After Monday's meeting, Link walks back to his office in Roosevelt’s counseling pod. He peers through the window and sees dark clouds. Rain swept through earlier in the day, and a chance remained that it may come down again. His face is blank, but his mind worries. There are many difficulties the Des Moines public school athletic programs face that the surrounding suburban schools do not, with facilities near the top of the list. Since 2005, Roosevelt has used Drake Stadium for its home games, but its practice field is all grass and dirt. Heavy rain sometimes makes it muddy and unusable, forcing the team into a less-than-ideal setting inside the school’s small gym.

'LET'S GO SHOCK THE STATE:' IN JUST TWO YEARS, ERIK LINK HAS ROOSEVELT FOOTBALL ON THE VERGE OF CONTENTION

Photo Credit: Rodney White

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