do the coaches or schools do or say anything that suggests they are trying to foster competition among players in order to neutralize the players unity and resistance? how does this process of manipulation work? is it successful?

There is competition among the boys on the team but the coaches do not do this to lower unity. High School football is bizarrely serious business in Texas. The coaches treat their teams like NFL rosters where only the best get to play. Those who make it on the team are expected to unite and do their jobs.