FREMONT – It’s no surprise that the Fremont football team is feeling a little extra energy and motivation this week after defeating Hart 22-8 last Thursday.

For the first time since 2014, the Packers got a victory in Week 1 and head into the balance of the season with a winning record.

“It feels really good,” said senior linebacker Michael Romero about getting the opening week victory. “We just had a lot of happiness and excitement. We worked really hard to win that game.”

Romero is hopeful that it’s a sign of things to come for the Packers this season. He’s tired of his team receiving little respect after winning only five games over the past seven seasons.

Fremont’s Michael Romero takes a Hart ball carrier down last Thursday. Photo/Lisa Vliem

“We always use it as motivation,” Romero said. “Nobody really roots for us. We want to be the team that makes the change for good.”

The first win in head coach Jared Hudson’s tenure was a big one for the program.

“It was huge,” said Hudson, whose team will host Beaverton on Thursday. “We didn’t mention the last time we had won our first game, although I’m sure the boys had a hunch it had been a while. Just the fact of being a new coach, we’re trying to do things differently and getting that first win is always huge.”

Romero will be a crucial part of how Fremont fares this season. As a junior in 2021, he led the Muskegon area in tackles with a total of 73.

“I take pride in it,” Romero said about his accomplishment. “But I always have room for improvement and can get even better, hopefully.”

Romero makes a hit on a runner while a teammate closes in to help. Photo/Lisa Vliem

It will be hard for Romero to top his Week 1 performance, which included a team-leading six tackles and a crucial pick-six touchdown.

“I realized they were in the quad look,” Romero said about his pre-snap assessment of the Hart offense, leading up to the interception. “They were going to throw the bubble. When the quarterback started his cadence, I ran down to the bubble guy and (the quarterback) threw it right to me. I just ran as fast as I could after that.”

Hudson had the same pre-snap read that Romero did.

“He picked up the play and same formation from earlier in the game,” the coach said. “It was the same motion, and he took a chance. He was just able to step in front of the running back and pick it off.”

Romero (40) congratulates a teammate after a play. Photo/Lisa Vliem

Romero is both the statistical and emotional leader of the Packers, according to Hudson.

“He was one of the first kids I met,” said Hudson about the senior, who also plays wing/H-back on offense. “He came to the meeting and was a very respectful young man. It was pretty clear to me right away that kids look up to him. He was the voice of the program when there was no coach in place.”

Leadership is something that Romero doesn’t take for granted.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “I thrive in being a leader and I like to bring up my teammates and set an example for them.

“The team’s energy feels a lot more positive, I’d say. We’re working hard in practice, and we really set goals this year. We’re starting to reach them, and we want to keep it going.”