I’m sure many of us have memories of a weekend full of watching sports with our family, whether it be a sibling’s game or just a game on TV. Interest in sports is usually ignited at a very young age, and as the years pass, that interest turns into passion, eventually growing into dedication. Little do we know, the little spark of interest is the fundamental foundation for, one day, becoming a successful athlete.
For one of our senior wide receivers, Kimo Kouletsis, his love for sports started from a young age, “I just like(d) playing sports, like growing up in general. And I started playing probably really young, like five.” He mentions that football being one of the biggest sports, “was definitely an influence,” for him to start playing. Along with football being a massive, popular sport, watching family is also exceptionally influential to starting a sport. When Haroun Jones, a senior in our defensive line, was little, he, “started watching my uncle play.” Initiating his interest in football, eventually leading him to, “start at 11 years old.” And, once he moved to Texas he began to play and develop a further passion for the sport, “I just have loved it ever since.”
While every player has a different story on how they started, each story and each player is like a piece of the team’s puzzle of success. If you’re missing a piece then you’re left with an unfinished puzzle, and if the pieces aren’t in the right spot then your puzzle doesn’t look like what it’s supposed to. But, when each piece is put together perfectly, you’re left with a beautiful picture.
“I think the key to that, is the chemistry that we have off the field, and like we’re picking each other up,” Kimo explains. He further describes how the teammates are your safety nets, saying that, “We can like, fall on each other.” It is important that the plays come together, but even more important that the players have the right kind of connection. “It’s important that we connect on a different level outside of school.” Haroun says, trying to emphasize the importance of an on and off field bond with their teammates.
Our football team has seen an astronomical amount of success in the past few years, with a large amount of wins and few losses. Excelling in many different ways and areas, as well as continuing to improve its plays and its players, the Highlander Coaching Staff are able to keep hard work and unity within the team.
“I wouldn’t say they do anything special. It’s just how the Highlander program is. You know when you’re coming in here, you got to be on top of your stuff.” Kimo says, explaining that hard work is standard within the football team, and every player is expected to meet it.
Being a student athlete isn’t easy, it comes with many challenges; like the hard work, dedication, time commitment, and management of school and athletics. But, it also comes with astounding advantages; learning what hard work really is, making bonds that will last a lifetime, learning how to manage your time, and learning that in order to succeed, you have to dedicate a lot of time into it.
You can support the Highlander Football Team at the next game, Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. at Woodforest Stadium.
