Pee-Wee Football

I was a part of a 3-time champion youth football team. The Southridge Skyhawks was a talented team and I was an anchor on the offensive line. I was coached by Ray Brock, who had played in the NFL at Center, and taught me the ropes on how to be an elite Center, as well as a leader for the team. I played for him my entire youth career, but when the 8th grade team was organized, he had left me off the top team. He explained to me that the high school was forming the structure for its future, and because I was attending the private, catholic Jesuit High School, I was left off the team. I moved down to the hybrid 7th/8th grade team, where I started on both sides of the ball, leading the team in sacks as a defensive end. While undersized my entire career, I prided and relied on the fundamentals Coach Ray taught me. When our high schools faced off, our kicker missed the game tying extra point in overtime... I literally cried. But as I shook hands with my past teammates and friends, Coach Ray found me in the high-five line, and gave me the biggest hug I have ever had. Somehow, that felt good.