This is a pretty emotional blog for me to write being as I’m unsure on my future. This weekend may or may not be the last football game of my career. It’s been an amazing road since I first strapped on the pads. Before I get too sentimental, I would like to point out that there is still a strong chance that I will be eligible to play next year for OVS.

I have been thinking to myself a lot lately about what obstacles and challenges I was forced to face to get where I am today. I wasn’t always a great player. In fact, in my early days, I was down right AWFUL!

I remember my first year of competitive football. We only had one game that season and everyone got a chance to play. It wasn’t really competitive, but it was organized. That season was supposed to introduce the youth of Summit, New Jersey.

That’s exactly what it did. The Summit Hilltoppers had a long tradition of competing for championships annually. My second year of football was a reflection of that tradition. However, none of our success had anything to do with me. Enter Jamie White.

Jamie was a friend of mine. He was a monster of an athlete and he still is to this day. One particular play comes to mind about my youth football days with Jamie White. We were pinned down on our own 5 yard line. We needed 10 yards for the first down but we needed to get away from our end zone. Most teams wouldn’t call a halfback draw right up the middle. That play is usually a short yardage play.

Not for Jamie.

Jamie took the hand off and ran 95 yards for the end zone. Touchdown Hilltoppers! WAIT! Nevermind!

Holding call on our offensive line. Gotta replay the down.

It didn’t matter. Same play, same result.

I’ve played with a lot of players like that. But the damnedest thing on those plays is that I wasn’t even on the starting lineup. Hell, I wasn’t a second string player either. I was a third string player that only went in for extra points and field goals. I saw no action being as we didn’t play a full-contact field goal. I just went in and stood there. Nothing else all season.

The main problem was I was too young to even recognize the disservice. I busted my ass during practice only to stand in on field goal attempts.

The following seasons playing for Summit were more of the same. No real roles, just stand ins. I never really got my chance until I got to 7th grade.

I was finally given a real shot at action when I started playing football for Delbarton. In 7th grade, I was on Delbarton’s middle school roster, which featured the 7th and 8th graders. I was getting bigger, faster and smarter on the field. I was ready to prove myself.

I was the only starter on that team from 7th grade. The rest were 8th graders.

We had a very strong season my 7th grade year. 8th grade was not nearly as successful, but I was improving rapidly.

My freshman year, Jamie White came to Delbarton. Once again, just an absolute onslaught of talent and speed. We were dominant, posting a perfect season. I started once again on the offensive line and I was one of the linebackers in rotation. I had my best season that year, which was cut short by a concussion.

Then I came to OVS. When I first got here, I was actually already known of. I wasn’t sure how, but some of my new teammates had already heard about me. My expectations for the team were high going into our first game.

I’m not going to discuss my successes at OVS. I’m still a part of this team and I won’t discuss them. I’ve loved every moment of my career. We’ve made a lot happen as a team.

I’ve prided myself as a player that would never shy away from a larger player. Ya, I’m short. But frankly, I don’t care. I make things happen. I strive to be a game changer. I love forcing turnovers and jumping routes and calling plays. Things happen in this sport. I’ve loved my time in the pads. I pray that I get one more season next year. That’s up to the law.

We will see.