High school football is coveted in Texas. It’s a prestigious level of football that has gotten very competitive throughout the years. The National Football League is also quite prestigious as it is the highest level of American Football. With both being very different sides of the sport, it’s easy to sort out their differences.
In pro football, there is a faster paced tempo, including an ecstatic crowd that could range between 30,000 to 100,000 screaming fans, as well as a skill set that greatly exceeds most people’s expectations. High School Football contains several hundred fans, the average athlete’s ability and a more friendly level of play.
Regardless of whether it’s professional football broadcasted to millions on a Sunday afternoon, or high school football played locally on a Friday night, they are the same game with commonalities. A good way to find the similarities between the two is in speaking to players who can relate to each.
Take two teams, both local to the DFW area – one team taken from the high school aspect, the Joshua Owls. Another taken from the NFL aspect, the more well-known Dallas Cowboys. Josh Whitworth is a senior offensive lineman for the Owls.
“If I could ask any professional player any one question, I would ask [the NFL player] who was the hardest man they ever had to block, the toughest challenge they had to face and why,” Whitworth said.
The long snapper position is possibly one of the hardest jobs in football; they have to snap the ball a long distance, then blocking for the kicker or punter while afterwards charging down the field to make a tackle, and it’s truly an underrated position.
After the privilege of talking to Cowboys’ long snapper L.P. Ladouceur, he had much to say.
“The hardest man I have ever had to block was Warren Sapp; I was a rookie and he was a very well-known defensive tackle; thanks to my teammates I was able to get the job done and block him,” Ladouceur said.
All football players set goals for themselves, and never feel quite successful until they have met the goals they have set.
“My goal is always to win,” Whitworth said.
Recently Whitworth has been on the Disabled List, but in Ladouceur’s eight years of play he has not yet experienced an injury.
“Well, I have separate types of goals I set for myself throughout my career,” Ladouceur said. “I have annual goals and I have long term goals. Obviously the annual goals are basic and similar to most other players; make the team, stay healthy, make the playoffs, and win the Super Bowl. The long term goals can be varied say like the strive to play ten years in your career or 12 years in your career it just depends.”
Just like most people in life, most athletes have a role model, whether it be a teammate, a coach or an idol.
“My role model is Tyron Smith, because he was the youngest starting player in the NFL at the age of 20,” Whitworth said.
Ladouceur’s role model is more personal.
“I haven’t really tried to be or look up to anyone other than my older brother,” Ladouceur said. “I just don’t see the point in trying to be like someone else when you just can’t succeed to be like them.”
Athletes, whether they are amateur or professional all have motivation, and a drive to succeed.
“I naturally have a competitive nature, and I’m driven by a desire to win,” Whitworth said.
Ladouceur’s motivation is also internal.
“Most people believe that motivation comes from a coach, and most of the time this isn’t the case,” Ladouceur said. “You need to find motivation in yourself, it’s your confidence, and it’s what enables you to perform at the highest level. Motivation can be a variety of things for different players whether it is making the playoffs, getting voted into the pro bowl, or in some cases the money and signing a better contract. That’s pro sports for you, but amateur sports, like high school is much different. Motivation builds from getting inspiration from your teammates, family and friends. Having that opportunity to contribute to your team and being as successful as possible.”
With the Joshua Owls Varsity football team looking better than they have in past years it should open up new chances for these players to be more successful individually, and as a team. Let’s keep this spectacular season alive, and get as much support as possible.
