MADISON- Players on the James Clemens football team want their opponents to know they are facing the GRIND whenever the Jets hit the field. The five-letter acronym is being used by the squad this season in an effort to inspire better and more energetic play against what James Clemens’ head coach, Wade Waldrop, called the toughest schedule in his coaching history.

“The acronym has been in our program a couple years as this season’s seniors came up with it,” said senior linebacker Keontae Strother. “We can GRIND.”

The five letters in GRIND are one letter each from the following words that describe what the Jets’ program strives to be: touGhness, sacRifice, belIeve, commuNication, Discipline.

Jordan Johnson (6-0, 270) senior offensive and defensive lineman said of the team motto, “Our group of seniors has made a point of establishing our culture here within this program, and we want our GRIND to really be what we want to establish ourselves as.”

The squad is an aggressive team both on offense and defense. Through three games this season, the Jets have 1-2 with their lone victory coming against crosstown rival Bob Jones in which the Jets scored the final 21 points of the game to win its second consecutive battle against the Patriots 35-17. Game four is versus Huntsville at Milton Frank Stadium on Sept. 13. “We want the winning mindset. I will do whatever it takes to win,” added Johnson.

Strother, the 5-11, 220 linebacker, feels the entire team does not feel the pressure of pre-season expectations as the Jets returned 17 starters off last season’s squad that won Region 4 in Class 7A. The Jets have a mindset of executing and to play their game.

“Disciplined, physical, and no retreat, that’s our game,” said Strother. “We get up after each play and are ready for the next one.”

Utilizing GRIND as an incentive to corral the team’s talents together for success, James Clemens is expected to have an offense that can score and a defense, which can make important stops at important times during a game.

“If our defense stops our opponents, our offense will move the ball and score touchdowns,” said Strother. “If everyone on the team puts in the hard work, do their assignments and follow the GRIND, we’ll be good.”