My Sophomore Year

My second year of high school was starting and just like the last it began with football but I made a choice to not do marching band because this year I would have twice the commitment level in football than that of freshmen year. I was on an amazing team of Rocky Sandusky, Adam Wilgus, Brady and Casey and Jake Locker as well as many other tallented upperclassmen. We had an amazing season. We went 14-0 and won the state championship against Prosser. Definetly one of my most memorable high school moments.
It was a great time with all the guys and with our team of over 70, it was a great time. I had my first exposure to Thursday night practices and the many traditions of Ferndale football. I felt chills down my spine as we marched on the field to an empty stadium filled with only the many memories of teams past. I felt pride shouting "hit" as Coach Plenkovich brought us in before warm up drills. I remember Jessie Young puking his guts out every single Thursday night as he was so nervous for the next day. I remember Thanksgiving and having to go down to the school for practice and being more excited for one practice than for the holiday. I remember how it snowed on the very last Thursday night practice of the season, how Jake, Jessie and Jonathan Le were like little kids because they had hoped all their high school years for one single snow coated day and got it the very last possible one. I remember practices in the gym and how steamy and exciting it was that we'd be in the dome the coming Friday.
I remember each Friday, coming out on the field and hearing the thousands of fans cheering. I remember feeling the excitment as I walked in on game day in my jersey and seeing the ticket booth backed up 100 people. I remember feeling the pure electricity of the whole stadium as we did our drills. I remember jumping up and down and cheering until I lost my voice as I saw Jake, Wilgus, Rocki or Brady score another touchdown. I remember seeing the signs in the yard of the house on Malloy with all the catchy slogans about "touch down in dutch town" and such. I remember going into the game in the fourth quarter and not being able to breath because I was so nervous and having to remember the play when all I could think about was breathing. I remember driving down in the bus with everyone pulling out their duffle packs full of pringles, sandwiches, brownies and tons of other food but not being able to eat a thing because I was so nervous. I remember going into the locker room and everyone being so focused and ready to play and seeing the television cameras lurking about. I remember walking onto the field and hearing the stands cheer back and forth. I remember being so overwhelmed that it was all I could do to stay together with the stretches. I remember the excitement growing as the end drew near to the win and hearing the stands grow and grow in anticipation. I remember seeing every single member of the starting offense and defense cry in joy. I remember seeing Mr. Brudwick blubbering and hugging his linemen.
I remember the celebration, the parade, the banquet, the speaches, the assemblies, the autographs for all the little kids that looked up to us as heroes. It was a great time. Made all that better with a state championship ring.
The winter was almost as the last with baseball camp and basketball pep band. The spring rolled along and came baseball again. Like football, I was pulled up to varsity for the district tournament. For the first time in school history, Ferndale went to state. It was exciting to make history but that excitement died quickly with a loss in the first round. My sophomore year was exciting and I really just enjoyed life and had a great time while staying involved and being productive. The greatest thing I learned was, when you have a good thing going, enjoy it.

My Freshman Year

Beginning high school I had no idea what to expect. I was an insecure middle schooler full of questions and uncertainties to being flung into adulthood. I saw upperclassmen all around me living lives of independence and was awe struck. I thought, "being that old and having so many responsibilities is so far away." Still I made all the steps I could to better that future. My summer started with both band camp and football practices throughout the month of August. This proved to be an overload of work and way to much of a time commitment. I found myself to be exhausted and decided that it would be way too much to do. In the fall as well I tried out FFA, as I went to a leadership conference. I enjoyed it but decided there was too much on my plate already. Winter was filled with basketball pep games, baseball camp every Wednesday and Saturday and brass choir. Spring was baseball that extended into summer with the freshman and legion teams.
High school was all that I'd thought it'd be, busy and full of opportunities. I think the largest thing that I learned my freshman year was to try out all you can and get a taste of everything but to know where your limits are so you can balance your schedule.