![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Two years ago, Russell Wilson went viral for the cringe-inducing motto he uttered at his first media day in Denver: “Broncos Country, Let’s Ride.” The hollow marketing message seemed to align with the arc of a fading quarterback, whose personal brand only stemmed from excellent years as a Seattle Seahawk. After the Broncos dumped Wilson for cap purposes to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the beginning of this year, a career resurgence seemed unlikely for the aging quarterback. Now, though, he leads a team that is 7-2 and at the top of the AFC North.
Despite the Steelers’ strong first six games under the leadership of now-backup Justin Fields, Wilson’s return from injury enabled the team to put up back-to-back 400-yard games on offense. Even still, the Steelers have not exactly breezed their way through the season. Without Wilson, they have tended to squeak by against supposedly lesser opponents, with Fields and company even losing to the dismal Colts in Week 4.
It’s worth considering: can Russ truly elevate the team’s offensive attack, and are the Steelers even real Super Bowl contenders?
The short answer to both questions: yes.
Despite being years removed from his Super Bowl winning season with the Seahawks, Russ still has enough athleticism left to facilitate a successful offense. His experience in the playoffs will serve as a plus, helping him duel MVP-caliber opponents like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Russ and the Steelers’ biggest advantage comes in the form of his team’s defensive line. Led by stars T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh’s defensive front evokes the Legion of Boom from Wilson’s years in Seattle, providing a formidable challenge for any team’s offense.
It’s worth noting that Wilson has yet to pass for over 300 yards in a game with Pittsburgh. Even though his abilities have only slightly diminished since his peak years, it has become clear that he’s not exactly “Mr. Unlimited” anymore, as he was nicknamed in Seattle. Pittsburgh will have to rely on its rock-solid defense to lead the attack against the AFC’s most formidable units, especially the aforementioned Mahomes and his defending champion Chiefs squad.
If the Steelers’ running game fails, and Pittsburgh loses control of the clock, it could be game over— even the most formidable defense allows easy touchdowns when tired. Even still, with a similar dash of luck to what they’ve encountered this season, Wilson and the Steelers could ride the magic of their first-half overperformance all the way to the Super Bowl. It’s no guarantee, but don’t count Russ out.
