With my senior year of football coming to an end I’ve had the opportunity to look back and see how I have made it here.

I started playing football in second grade when my family first moved to Jefferson-Morgan. I wasn’t really all about football, or any sports really, but my Pap inspired me to play. He would tell stories about his time on the field and how rewarding it was. All of the time he spent with his friends who eventually became a family. I wanted to be a part of a team like his.

The first couple of years were not that at all. In fact they were probably my worst memories with the sport; I was just out of place and really had no idea how to play. It was hard, but my grandfather wouldn’t let me give up, he would practice with me in the yard and teach me all his tricks.

It wasn’t until around sixth grade that I found my footing in the sport and began to show what skills I had. Our team went to the championships both years, but lost both times in close games. I started on both sides of the ball and it was the first time I could say I was having fun playing. It was around this time that I started to talk to Eli Rafail. Eli would later become my best friend, and without football that would have never happened.

Seventh grade was a difficult year because I suffered a season ending concussion in the first game and would not be able to return until the following year.

My eighth grade year, my all time favorite year playing football. It was the first time I was put on the line, a place that would come to be my position for the rest of my career, and I was put at my Pap’s old position as offensive guard. We went almost undefeated only losing our last game to Beth Center by a single touchdown. My pap was right by my side all season, he was always my ride to practice and we would just talk about football and he would teach me things he used to use when he was on the field.

And now I’m here in my senior year with almost 10 years of football under my belt. I have made many different memories playing this sport, but one thing that will never change is the overwhelming respect I have for my Pap. He is the reason I started playing, and without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He is the man I admire, and he is the reason I am who I am.