I understand that it’s an interesting decision for me to be joining football my senior year, considering that it’s been six years since I’ve stepped foot on the field. In fact, I haven’t been particularly adamant about the idea of being in a school sport to begin with. However, since my school years are closing to an end, I figured it’s worth a shot to put my strength and athleticism to the test.
I’ve tried nearly every sport offered to me, but so far I’ve really only done track and field. I’m an avid lifter to be sure, but in sports like basketball or baseball, I severely lacked the skill and, more importantly, coordination. So, I mainly focused on weightlifting (and bicycling, for a time), and I’ve always strived to create the ideal disposition of an athlete, or maybe even a powerlifter. With that being said, I wasn’t too satisfied with my inability to keep certain skills or ranges of mobility. I felt I had a lot of potential, but no real way of using it. That was until my dad suggested that I should give football another shot.
At the time, my initial constitution was somewhat heavy yet lengthy, sitting at around 6’3” and around 176-ish pounds. It was a sufficient amount for a wide receiver, but there was a different position that Dad had in mind. Considering the current roster for GHS’s frontline, it was apparent that they could use more linemen. So, that’s what my dad and I were set on: preparing me for the lineman position, more specifically, defensive end/tackle. I had about three months before the start of the season; plenty of time to get ready.
Throughout the summer, I participated in weight training as part of my dad’s gym program, while additionally attending team lifting and conditioning. Unfortunately, Dad’s gym would close down before the end of the summer, so we had to make do with the school for future sessions. If there was anything I remember about the summer, it was the incredibly challenging EMOMS (Every Minute On the Minute) I had to endure. You had one minute to complete each set, whether it be 4, 6, or 8 reps. Once the minute passes, you jump right into the next set. To say it was brutal would be slightly exaggerated, but it was an interesting obstacle to overcome nonetheless. We would work on back squats, bench, deadlifts, power cleans, hang cleans, strict shoulder presses, and push presses. It wasn’t too long before my weight began to increase, for both my maxes and my own body.
Dad’s initial goal for me was to hit 215 lbs. I only reached 205 lbs by the time the season started, but I was exceptionally strong. With a 255 lb bench and a 400 lb squat, I was ready to step onto the field again. Well, the practice field. The season officially began, and I was thrust into the lineman class. We’d work on refining techniques, proper use of power, and reaction times. The coaches had emphasized the idea of commitment and mental toughness. I sought to meet those expectations. Granted, I was commonly frustrated with myself, but it all fueled my drive to fulfill my role.
While I had a rough start at first, I was quickly adapting, getting stronger for each drill. I slowly got more comfortable, and I could tell I was on the right track. However, just weeks into practice, I sustained an injury on my right pinkie, a spiral fracture. I was out for nearly a month and had to get surgery to basically realign the pinkie. My debut on the field was held back even more.
It’s been a few weeks since I had surgery, and I’ve been quick to try to get myself back where I was prior to my injury. I’ve been jogging, engaging in core workouts, and even lifting, though I have been cautious of my pinky. While I am cleared to play now, it will be a bit before I get back into the groove of things. If I’m lucky, I’ll prove to be a good addition to the defensive lineman position. However, all I can do now is wait for the next game.
