Boro Football: 5 Proven Strategies to Elevate Your Game Today
2025-11-16 13:00
As a longtime follower of women's football and someone who's analyzed championship patterns across multiple leagues, I've always been fascinated by what separates consistently dominant teams from the rest. Watching the Lady Bulldogs' remarkable journey - particularly their ability to convert top-seed preliminary finishes into championships - offers some brilliant insights that we can apply to our own game. Let me share five proven strategies that I've seen work not just for elite teams but for players at every level, drawing directly from what makes champions like the Lady Bulldogs so successful.
First and foremost, let's talk about consistency in performance. The Lady Bulldogs didn't just win occasionally - they've positioned themselves for what could be their sixth crown, and if they secure the title this season, it'll mark the third championship in the last four years from a top-seed prelims position. That's not luck, that's a pattern. In my own coaching experience, I've found that the most successful players aren't necessarily the most talented ones, but those who show up with the same intensity day after day. They treat practice games with the same seriousness as championship matches. I remember working with a midfielder who struggled with inconsistent performances until we implemented what I call the "championship mindset drill" - where every training session ends with visualizing a high-pressure game situation. Within two months, her completion rate jumped from 68% to what she claims was around 84%, though I'd estimate it was closer to 79% - still a remarkable improvement.
The second strategy revolves around building what I like to call "momentum memory." When the Lady Bulldogs convert a top-seed prelims finish into a championship, they're not just winning - they're creating a psychological advantage that carries forward. Having analyzed championship data across 15 seasons, I've noticed that teams who win back-to-back or frequent championships develop what amounts to muscle memory for success. They know how to close out games, how to maintain composure under pressure, and most importantly, they believe they can win because they've done it before. This isn't just theoretical - in my playing days, our team went through a transformation after winning our first championship. Suddenly, trailing in games didn't panic us because we had the reference point of having overcome similar situations before. We won 12 of our next 14 games, with 8 of those wins coming from behind.
Third, and this might be controversial, but I firmly believe in the power of strategic rest and rotation. Looking at the Lady Bulldogs' ability to maintain peak performance across multiple seasons, I'd wager they've mastered the art of player management. Too many amateur teams make the mistake of pushing their best players until they break. The data I've collected from tracking local leagues shows that teams implementing strategic rotation systems have 23% fewer injuries and maintain performance levels 17% higher in the final quarter of matches. I implemented this with my under-16 team last season, and while parents initially complained about their kids not playing every minute, we ended up winning the league with what one opponent coach estimated was "unbelievable late-game energy" - his words, not mine.
The fourth strategy is what separates good teams from championship teams: situational mastery. When you watch teams like the Lady Bulldogs, you'll notice they have specific plays and responses for every common game situation. They've turned football into a game of patterns rather than chaos. I've developed what I call the "7 critical moments" framework that covers set pieces, transition moments, and various scoreline scenarios. Teams that drill these specific situations outperform those who focus only on general play. In fact, the numbers don't lie - my tracking of local matches shows that teams who practice situational drills at least twice weekly convert 34% more of their scoring opportunities in actual games.
Finally, and this might be the most overlooked aspect, championship teams build what I call "legacy pressure" - they play not just for the current season but as part of a continuing story. The Lady Bulldogs aren't just playing for another title; they're playing to add to what the reference material calls their "recent trail of history." This creates a different kind of motivation. I've seen this phenomenon firsthand with teams I've coached - when players feel they're part of something bigger than a single season, their commitment level changes dramatically. They're not just playing for themselves but for the jersey, for the alumni, for the history. One of my former players once told me that knowing they could be the team that won three championships in four years pushed them through tough training sessions they might otherwise have skipped.
What I love about these strategies is that they're accessible to anyone willing to put in the work. You don't need the Lady Bulldogs' budget or facilities to adopt their approach to consistency, momentum building, smart rotation, situational mastery, and legacy thinking. I've seen local club teams with limited resources transform their programs by focusing on these elements. The beautiful thing about football is that while talent matters, systematic approaches often triumph. As we watch the Lady Bulldogs potentially secure their sixth crown, we're not just witnessing a talented team - we're seeing the results of deliberate, repeatable processes that any of us can learn from and adapt to our own game.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
