Headphones on, eyes closed, and legs stretching in rhythm, Cotter football kicker Macs makes the same peace each game day… On purpose.

Before each game at Cotter, Macs uses a brief, formulaic ritual of music, stillness, and leg stretches to arrive prepared and in focus. He states consistency is key to contentment, and no matter what, he sticks to the habit of playing. His pregame choices, from lunch to what music he listens to, are more of a system than superstition designed to prime his brain and body for play.

The calming score. “I like listening to music, closing my eyes and relax myself,” Macs said. Morgan Wallen tops the playlist, “’because it calms me,” he added as he visualizes his initial kick.

Fuel and feel. Pregame, he remains constant: “I like to have cheese and crackers before each game because it’s my favorite snack.” The notion isn’t a one-off meal; it’s a steady one that precedes game time.

Why routine works… especially for kickers. “My pregame ritual helps me maintain the same routine and prepares me mentally for the game,” Macs said. That starts with the muscles he will trust in pressure situations, “My ritual is different from other people’s because I focus on my legs. I do lots of various leg stretches to get it ready for kicking.”

Being consistent, and making adjustments along the way. “I like to stick with the same routine every year.” Game days, though, are not necessarily routine. “If something comes up that gets me off my ritual, I just try to stay calm and keep going and compete,” he said.  Even with football and school work, Macs will always find a way to let his goofy side take over, whether it’s at home, at practice, or in Algebra 2. Being calm isn’t accidental for Macs. It’s one song, one stretch, and one kick at a time.