The scoreboard blares the final note of the game and junior quarterback Kyle Pianalto looks up to the scoreboard. It reads 56-20, a blow out against the Rogers Heritage War Eagles.

The Wildcats had defeated the War Eagles, but Pianalto thinks of something else as he glances up at the score; his defining role in the game throwing for an impressive 265 yards compared to 22 yards during the Bentonville game.

“We started playing more as a team that game,” said Pianalto. “Once we started playing more as a team we made less mistakes.”

As a quarterback, Pianalto has taken on the responsibility of being a leader to the team on and off the field, a rare role for a junior.

“He plays hard and leads on the field through his actions,” said head coach Chris Wood. “Kyle’s very coachable and applies what he’s taught in practice on the field.”

No matter what happens on the field, Pianalto and the team stay positive towards one another.

“When I know the ball is coming my way, Kyle and I give each other a thumbs up,” said senior outside receiver Miguel Salgado. “Before each play we say ‘let’s do it’ and we get the job done.”

Along with being positive towards his teammates, Pianalto receives positive feedback from his coaches as well.

“He’s really worked hard at improving since we moved him to quarterback in February,” said quarterback coach Patrick Scott. “His work ethic is very beneficial to us as a team.”

Clearly, the system of staying positive works effectively. During the Heritage game, the War Eagles might have scored first, but the Wildcats were the ones who scored more points, coming away with a defining victory.

“You have to forget about mistakes and go on to the next play,” said Pianalto. “If you keep dwelling on your mistakes, it just gets worse.”

As a junior, Pianalto will have the rest of this season and his senior year to continue improving his skills. Though it might be challenging to be a leader as a junior at times, the benefits outweigh the negatives for Pianalto.

“I’m learning from my mistakes and getting used to the system,” said Pianalto. “I expect us to keep getting better and win more games this season.”

Last season, Pianalto played defensive back as a sophomore for the varsity team. Coaches saw raw talent in Pianalto and decided to switch him to quarterback.

“Kyle can make things happen with his feet,” said Coach Wood. “He has strength, humility, and athletic talent.”