Personal Narrative: My First High School Football

High School Football was an interesting topic. I was so excited to finally play at the high school level, but I was constantly worrying about if I would be good enough to actually play. I’d been playing since the 3rd grade, and loved every minute of it. After putting in the work at the middle school level, I didn't know how well I would do in high school. All of this changed after our first game, when I caught my first touchdown pass. This experience was so special because I realized that I had what it took to be a great player, and that I needed to work hard to get there. I first fell in love with football watching it with my dad when I was young. After sitting down to watch a few games, I was hooked. My dad and I would go out in the backyard
to practice, so I could prepare to play on a real team. When I was in the third grade, I joined my first team. It was exciting to be in an environment I wasn't used to, having to work hard everyday with my new team to get better. My first season went really well, as I continued to play throughout elementary school and middle school. By the time I got to high school I knew the sport extremely well, but I knew that knowing the sport wasn't going to get me a spot on the team. Every young football player can’t wait until they can play for their high school, though I was no exception, I was very nervous to play at the higher level. When practice started up in August it was very intense.
Constantly doing something or learning something new in the one-hundred degree heat wasn’t exactly easy. Through the first few weeks I did well, earning the coaches respect and a starting spot at tight end. As practice went on I adapted to the new environment and was ready to play my first high school game. I was extremely nervous before the game, wondering if I would remember the right plays and what to do on those plays. The nerves stayed present through the pre-game warmups and through the beginning of the game, but something changed. On our second possession, our offense was doing very well moving the ball. I was making the right blocks and even made a catch for about twelve yards. We huddled up at the six yard line, and my stomach dropped when we received the play from the coach. The ball was going to me in the endzone. I lined up with nerves running all through my body, got in my stance, and was ready to fire off the line of scrimmage. I flew of the line, planted my foot hard in the turf, and as I ran to the sideline, the ball came right to me. I had scored my first touchdown in our first game. My teammates came to celebrate with me as I was still shocked about what just took place. The coaches congratulated me on the sidelines as I went to the bench, filling me with pride. It really was a feeling like no
other. My biggest enemy when playing football is myself. I’m constantly thinking about what to do on what play, second guessing myself, nervous that I will mess it up. These feelings were all present until I caught the touchdown, everything was different after. Football analysts will tell you that the amount of confidence one plays with can and will make a huge difference, and it’s the absolute truth. After I scored, I played with a whole new level of confidence that I never had before, and it really improved my game. I wasn't worried if I would make the right block, or run the right route, I just played. Scoring that touchdown made me realize that I did have what it takes to be a great player, and that I shouldn't constantly worry about messing up and just play the game. I ended up having a good season, recording around 25 catches and scoring 4 more times. There isn't a doubt in my mind that playing with the confidence I had was a major factor in my success. I’m a firm believer that sports are very beneficial to kids, as you can learn so much about life through them. Playing football taught me many things, but the main thing I took away from it is that hard work pays off. Studying the playbook and practicing route running helped me score my first touchdown, and helped me understand that I had what it took to be successful. This experience made me feel confident in myself, and because of that, I will remember it for a long time.