Ever since I went to my first football practice at eight years old, I had burning desire to play football, I was hooked! I got my first taste of hardnosed football as a freshman playing on the JV level, coming in wide eyed as our coaches pushed us to be like the Varsity players who seemed like NFL players to us. I remember thinking, "I will be one of those big guys using all my might to play the game one day". I had a rough year playing on JV against kids who were older and most of the time bigger than me (I was 5'11 and about 145 lbs.) but I wasn't the type of kid to back down. Even when I faced adversity, I gave it my all and tried my best to overcome my challenges. Coming in as a sophomore, I put on about 20 lbs., in the off-season and I grew an inch in height, but I was never satisfied with my size. As a sophomore, on JV, I was no longer the smaller kid struggling to make plays and to get off blocks. I remember halfway through the season, I had an excellent JV, game getting a pick 6 and finally bringing the hammer down on my opponents that had given me a beating as a freshman. I learned during that game, that when I trust my coaching combined with effort and tenacity, I could accomplish great things for me and my team. The following Monday, as I walked out to practice, the Varsity Head Coach, who I was terrified of at the time, was yelling "Hooper you’re with the varsity squad today", hearing this come from my coach’s mouth was like music to my ears! I recall the feeling of pride looking over at the JV team as they practiced and looking back at varsity where I was terrified of getting knocked on my butt by an upperclassman, who was bigger, better, and stronger. The first hitting drill I participated in, my coach called me “an animal” and I let my teammates know who I was. I could feel the drive in myself as I threw my whole body into the ball carrier completely knocking him down and landing on top of him. The whole team blew up in a cheering uproar as I just destroyed someone who was 2 years older than me and a player that looked up to, that was a great moment and something I'll never forget! By Friday I hadn't secured a starting position but I was just happy to be able to be on varsity and keep up with the big dogs in practice. As another week of practice went by, my coach told me I would most likely be getting some playing time on Friday but no guarantees. I remember it was the fourth quarter and I hadn't seen the field all game, I was just doing my thing on the sidelines trying to keep player’s spirits up and cheering for my fellow teammates on the field. I got my first taste of varsity football that game when our starting outside linebacker went down and I was next in line for playing time. That game I made my first tackle and two more in the last drive. It felt good to actually get some experience during the game and not just in practice. The next game I was played the whole second half and racked up 4 tackles. Our last game of the season, against the Brandon Blackhawks, my coaches put me in at the starting position, during the game I was proud of myself, I completed 7 tackles and a forced fumble, my hard work was paying off for me and my team. My junior year, I was eager for practice to start and worked out hard and put on 10 lbs. The Holly Bronchos suffered a rough season, ending with a 0-9 record. Although we scored points, and had some tough losses in OT, our team was very young and our players were still developing their skills. Playing as our starting outside linebacker, I completed 47 tackles and 2 sacks that season. Coming into my senior year, with 12 other seniors, who had been playing together throughout our high school careers, I could feel that this season would be different. The offseason had proven to be very productive, I worked hard in the weight room, worked on my footwork and honed in my skills as a defensive end. There was never a doubt in my mind that we were the hardest working team in the Flint Metro League. Every day for weeks on end my teammates and I put everything we had on the line to be successful. This year would be different. As the season came closer my coaches decided to move me from outside linebacker (where I wanted to play) to defensive end because we needed a pass rush. I was at first a bit nervous that in my senior year, my coach decided to move me from a position I was determined to excel at. I felt out of position. Playing D-line was a huge change up for me. I decided that if defensive end is where my team needs me that is where I’ll play. My first game playing my new position I was able to complete 7 tackles and a forced fumble. The Bronchos turned around their football program in one short year, ending the season with 5-5 and a trip to the playoffs for the third time in school history. Unfortunately, the Bronchos fell short by 1 point losing in the first round. I cannot express the pride I feel in being part of Holly football, the memories and friendships will last a lifetime. I thank you for reading my letter and I look forward to speaking with you regarding my future with your college football program.