more than a jersey

By Naason Arce

Going into the 2025-2026 season, nobody really believed in our team. We were predicted to finish near the bottom of the league, and after losing our first two preseason games and dealing with multiple injuries, it honestly felt like everyone outside our team had already counted us out. Even with my own injury, I never felt like quitting. That season reminded me how much football had already changed me as a person. 

What a lot of people don’t realize is that football wasn’t even supposed to be my sport. Growing up, i spent way more time playing soccer with my friends, and in middle school I even joined a club team. The main reason i ended up trying football was because of my cousin. I wanted to play alongside him, and that decision ended up changing my life. Football gave me something i had never experience before, a real brotherhood.

Before that successful season, we went through one of the hardest years i’ve ever had in football. During my junior year, we finished 1-9. Losing almost every game was frustrating, but it taught me a lot about discipline and mental toughness. Even when things weren’t going our way, we kept showing up and pushing each other. That season forced me to grow up and take responsibility, both on and off the field. 

One moment that really showed me how much i had grown happened during the offseason. We started training as early as February, and the workouts were no joke. Over the summer, our coaches had us competing in 7-on-7s and tournaments. At one tournament, the Gunderson G Showdown, teams competed in different challenges. One of them was a bench press competition. I was surprised when my coaches picked me to represent our team. I was nervous knowing i had to bench 185 pounds in front of players and coaches from a bunch of other schools. 

In the past, I probably would have let the nerves get to me, but that day i didn’t. I focused on what my coaches told me and trusted the work i put in. I ended up getting 13 reps, and that moment meant more to me than i expected. It showed me that confidence comes from effort.

Football has also taught me how to manage my time better. Balancing schoolwork, practices, and games wasn’t as easy, especially during tough seasons. There were nights where I was tired and stressed, but football forced me to stay organized and responsible. Those habits helped me not just in sports, but in school too. That same season everyone doubted us turned out to be one of the best in our program’s history. After beating Harbor Highschool, our confidence completely changed.

We finished the season 7-3 and placed second in our league. Even though we didn't make the playoffs, we earned our first winning season in ten years, and that meant everything to us. When I think back to why i joined football in the first place, it was just to have fun with my friends and win games. I never imagined it would shape who i am today, Football taught me how to handle pressure, push through setbacks, and believe in myself when others didn’t. Those lessons will stick with me and help me in the future.