There is an odd occurrence of being a high school athlete, it happens to all of us. Our first practice, our first team dinner, our first game, our first time maybe being a starter at any level. But unfortunately we also have our last practice, our last team dinner, our last game together as a whole team.
Standing on the football field, a familiar rush of adrenaline fills the air every time I step onto the field. Football has been the center of my life throughout high school. As a three-year starter on Varsity, I poured so much energy and passion into the sport, and with the last game of the regular season approaching, a mix of emotions comes to mind. The excitement of my first home game in Mike G. Gabriel stadium still lingers in my memory. We played Fort Morgan I remember we won 35-13. The bleachers filled with friends and family excited that I am a starting varsity player.
However, high school wasn’t solely about triumphs. Challenges arose along the way—injuries, tough losses, and the constant balancing act of schoolwork and sports. Each obstacle imparted valuable lessons about resilience and teamwork. Teammates became like family, sharing both the highs of victories and the lows during tough times. The laughter and camaraderie made my first year on Varsity truly unforgettable.
Today is our last regular season game. Its a surreal feeling mixed with both sadness and excitement. I don’t think it will fully settle in until the season is actually over and when playoffs are done as well. But something about the last regular season game bugs me. I look back and all I can think of is all of the fun times I’ve had with both upperclassman who have left, and the guys who I am playing with right now. I can imagine freshman year like it was yesterday. Now its coming to an end? It’s tough to think about leaving behind the friendships and the sense of identity that comes from being an athlete.
On the other hand, there’s a palpable excitement about what lies ahead. This final year is a chance to leave it all on the field, to push harder than ever before, and to make your mark. There’s also the anticipation of new beginnings, whether it’s moving on to college sports, focusing on academics, or starting a new chapter in life. The skills and discipline learned as a student-athlete will undoubtedly serve you well in future endeavors.
Balancing these emotions can be challenging, but it’s important to cherish every moment. Embrace the sadness as a testament to how much this experience has meant to you, and let the excitement fuel your drive to make the most of your senior year. Trust in the path that God has planned for you and even though you may not feel like he’s there. He is.
