Five seconds left. The ball is in the air. Andre Lindsey, junior, who is the wide receiver, catches the ball.

Touchdown!

Victory for the team on their first game of the season. Their hard work has paid off and everyone in the bleachers has witnessed it.

They’ve brought victory to the school and to their peers, with a record of 3-1.

But what about for themselves?

Victory is not just winning a game, but it’s also to bring success to yourself. No ribbon or trophy can compare to the real prize: self-realization.

“At the end of the season we give them t-shirts and we give the seniors mementos and appreciation gifts,” said Don Norton, football coach. “But the real reward is self realization.”

Self realization. It’s not something you can hang on the wall or put on top of a trophy case. For an athlete, it’s how you feel about yourself after all the hard work you’ve done and thinking about what you have to do to continue on.

In order for a student to participate in sports, a player needs to do more reading and writing rather than just tackling and throwing.

“(Winning) makes me feel good about myself,” said Cody Wilkinson, sophomore, who is the tight end. “But you gotta make time for homework because school is just as important as sports.”   

Athletes have to work hard in the classroom to be able to play games.

“(We) talk about grades everyday at practice,” said Norton. “If a player’s grades don’t improve in a week or two, we take them out.”

Lindsey said that school comes first, and then sports.

Football is a vigorous sport that requires a lot of working out, practice, and dedication to the sport. However, it’s also important that players show dedication in their education.
“We need school, (we) need it to get to the next level.” Lindsey said.