‘A different environment’: How pancakes unified Westerville North boys soccer team
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Senior Carter Smith, a Bowling Green commit, leads the Westerville North squad in goals scored this season. Photo: Kevin Lam
Out of all the potential questions the Westerville North boys soccer team may have faced coming into the season, there is one that where the answer has proven to have brought the Warriors together.
How do you like your pancakes?
“Most of us, including me, really like chocolate chips on them,” senior midfielder Carter Smith said. “Usually when we have chocolate chips available – those are the days where all the pancakes are gone.”
So, how did pancakes become so important for the Warriors?
It’s become a part of a Sunday tradition. Westerville North holds its toughest practice of the week on Sunday mornings.
Sixth-year coach Nate Hartnell decided to hold Sunday practices a few years ago as a way to combat the busy week.
“With Tuesday and Thursday games, I just started to notice by Thursday, our players just had heavy legs on them,” Hartnell said. “We just thought that we didn’t want to go really heavy the day before a game. Going on Monday (was hard too) and we noticed that after a day or two off, that first training session was really rusty.”
So, the Warriors meet at the stadium on Sunday mornings and do a strenuous training session for about an hour and a half. Then, volunteer parents make them pancakes and they all sit together, no cellphones, and enjoy each other’s company as they get ready for the week ahead.
No cell phones are allowed and a senior is honored at the pancake breakfast held after each Sunday morning workout for the Warriors. Photo courtesy Westerville North boys soccer team
“It’s fun because you’re always connecting with the guys,” Smith said. “I think it’s just a different environment when you get to sit down (with your teammates) and just not even talk about soccer. I think it really grows a team when you don’t have to talk about soccer. We can talk about school things … or anything.”
Smith, a Bowling Green commit, leads the Warriors with nine goals and five assists. Smith and senior forward Richard Otchere scored two goals and tallied an assist in North’s 5-0 win at Westland on Sept. 16.
The Warriors improved to 8-0-1 overall and 3-0 in OCC-Capital Division play. They are seeking their fourth consecutive league championship.
“We are a perfectly imperfect team right now,” Hartnell said. “We’ve yet to play a really good game. But we’re starting to piece together longer portions in each game.
“I think (Sunday pancakes) are hugely important – especially during a long, long season.”
North’s win over the Cougars wrapped up a stretch where it played four consecutive road games. They scored twice in the final 12 minutes to snag a 2-1 win at Pickerington Central on Sept. 10.
“Our effort was good, our touches were just off,” Hartnell said. “The positive chatter on the field, just motivating each other (and) positively challenging each other. All 11 (on the field) and 12 guys on the bench were just very vocal pushing each other. (It) ultimately helped us score twice in the last 12 minutes of the game and walk out with a win.”
Westerville North senior Richard Otchere (11) scored two goals against Westland in the Warriors’ win Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Lam
Senior goalie Donovan Gooden’s mother, Stephanie, came up with the idea a couple of years ago and got the parents to volunteer to help put together the breakfasts while the team was practicing.
Smith said it’s really helped the team come together especially when things get difficult during a game, citing the win over the Tigers.
“I think it creates an environment where you can get on each other on the field,” Smith said. “Being able to talk to each other helps during a game. Overall, we’re still friends and it’s all love at the end of the day.”
There are no cellphones allowed at the Sunday practices. The players converse and honor at least one senior.
“We’re going to practice, we’re going to eat and we’re going to hang out … and then they’re free the rest of the day,” Hartnell said.
Otchere has four goals and three assists and seniors David Amponsah (forward), Caleb Saburi (forward), Max Moore (defender), junior defender Josh Pearl and sophomore forward Kaelin Hartnell each have two goals.
Senior Ethan McKnight has seven saves and three shutouts in goal in seven games and Gooden has three saves and three shutouts in three games, limited by a back injury.
The Warriors, which reached a Division II regional semifinal last season, are seeking their first state tournament since 2004. They won state titles in 1995 and 2003.
“I think we have the group to be able to (make a deep run),” Smith said. “I think it’s just about the pieces falling in place and maybe a little luck on our side. But I think we can do it.”
Senior David Amponsay (9) has two goals this season for Westerville North as the Warriors look to make another tournament run. Photo: Kevin Lam