Before kickoff, the football players huddle up and bow their heads in prayer.

“It helps us gain focus and let God know we need his help on the field,” varsity football player Chris Rodriguez explains.

Most athletes have pre-game rituals as a way to hype themselves up. Doing or having something that they feel brings them luck helps them focus.

Running back Richard Morla has his own good luck charm: his pads from when he played in an Optimist league.

“They bring me good luck. I haven’t had any major tragedies yet,” said Morla.

At least pads don’t need to be washed. But socks do.

According to Frank Enzinna, the varsity baseball catcher, washing your socks after winning a game is bad luck. This means that if the team doesn’t lose a game, his socks could go un-washed for a whole season.

“It’s all superstition. I try to keep as many things the same as the previous game,” Enzinna said.

The entire baseball team is superstitious. During playoffs, they won’t cut their hair or even shave.

“If you shave or get a hair cut, you get a major beat down,” jokes Josh Starr, varsity baseball player.

Coaches, like athletes, have to get hyped up and focused as well.

Coach Rafael Jimenez has to shower, brush his teeth, and meditate for 15 minutes before every game.

“I just try to clear my mind of everything, I meditate on nothing,” said Jimenez.

Coach Robert Goldberg’s wife used to coach girls’ softball at N.M.B.

During every game, Goldberg wears his wife’s old shorts under his Krop uniform to bring his team good luck.

The boys’ cross-country team has only lost one meet since.