WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KNIGHT: "A Knight is someone who always perseveres. They fight for the weak, they are very strong, they are courageous. They are not scared of anything, and that pretty much summarizes what we want our program to be. Pride is a big issue." – coach Chad Smith

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A KNIGHT: "The first time I put on a uniform, coming in from middle school, it was a thrill. 'I made it. I can do this. I can go somewhere if I work hard.' It's even stronger now. Seeing us work hard this hard ... we can do better than in years before." – junior linebacker Joe Young

WHAT IT MEANS TO CARRY ON THE KNIGHTS' TRADITION: "I talked to old players and they said, 'Hey, you're giving it your all. Your sweat, your tears, your blood go into that field.' The coaches say the same thing. You have to give your all 100 percent of the time. That's the tradition of Northern Nash." – Young

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KNIGHT IN 2008: "As far as this year, we are just trying to make a statement. We're trying to improve. Me being a senior, I get to make a difference. It feels really good to be out here. Everybody has changed, mentality wise. Everything has made a big improvement since last year." – senior center Felix Morton IV

THE KNIGHT EXPERIENCE: "What builds my pride is the rivalries we have. It seems like everybody wants to beat up on us or wants us to be their rival. To have that feeling coming from another team makes you feel special." – Morton

Read more about Northern Nash online at www.RockyMountTelegram.com/Sports. Watch team videos, and read blog entries about the Knights written by Telegram sports writers. Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9959 or jhnunery@coxnc.com