I started my high school football career in a historically broken program. In the previous two years, the team had had a 1-19 record, and the communities interest in the program was almost nonexistent. This was the situation I faced when I strolled into the varsity locker room my sophomore year. I knew the only thing that could resurrect the program was a complete attitude change and diligent work. That year I started at free safety and earned all region honors. Regardless of our discouraging 3-7 record I maintained my winning attitude. My junior year we won eight games and went to the playoffs as second in region.  Unfortunately our team took a blow when many of our talented players, including our quarterback, graduated that year. We had no backup to step up and take his place, and I knew that my senior year would be a disaster if we couldn't find one. I had almost no experience at quarterback and had only recently recovered from a torn labrum in my throwing shoulder, but I told my coach I would learn the new position. I was determined to lead the team with confidence no matter what position I was playing.  I worked intensely in the offseason to prepare, both in the weight room and watching film. There were over a hundred plays to master, and many reads and reflexes that I had to develop. I was also voted in as team captain by my teammates and coaches, so my leadership responsibility became even more pertinent. After my limited training, in my first game as quarterback, I threw for over four hundred yards and was ranked in the top twenty passing quarterbacks in the nation. We went on to win that game and many others, once again competing in the playoffs.