Senior Joshua Smith is excited for another season of his favorite sport, football. He has been playing inside and outside of school for eight years. He said, “It’s intense; in our last game we won 23 to 22”.

Smith is number 61 on the team and plays right and left guard. “I’m really close friends with a lot of people on the team. I’m closer with the other offensive alignment players, and recently to the coaches.  I’ve been quiet because I don’t want to get in trouble,” said Smith.

Everyday after school from three to five is when football practice takes place, even in the off season. When asked about keeping his grades up with practice and school going on Smith replied, “It’s not that bad. It’s pretty easy for me but last year was a different story, it was a lot harder, because I used to have harder classes.”

Smith watched as one of the coaches showed him how to improve his defense skills.

Smith said that “Practice before the season started was a lot more work, more running, but because of those practices a lot more people got and stayed in shape.” Coaches push the players harder during off season so they don’t get lazy and out of shape.

“All the players on the football team are like brothers to each other,” said Smith. Most of the players have played with each other for years and have grown close. The team is also close with their coaches, because many of the coaches have watched the boys grow up.

(The closest on the end) Smith lunged at the tackle dummy as if he were defending a team mate.

Head Coach Keel  intimidates many. Smith said, “Coach Keel? Oh man, he’s scary. He’s a nice coach, but when he sees me in the hallway, he gives me this look and it’s terrifying.” He said, “A lot of the other players think he’s tough on us, but I honestly don’t think he pushes us enough.”

Smith thinks practice during off season shouldn’t be as intense as it is because they aren’t preparing for any games. He enjoys practice after school, and he doesn’t think it’s too hard when they’re in season. Smith blocks for Tyler Tubs and he really loves his position on the team, because he’s close friends with Tubs and all the boys have fun playing together.