Davis Howard (12) remembers everything about that one play. The sweat dribbling down his temples, the black helmet adorned with a glossy “H” perched on top of his head. Illuminated by the lights beaming down on the field, the 5-foot-9-inch offensive lineman hurtled towards the gap between two 300-pound players, aiming for a sack.

What started as an after school sport in elementary school quickly grew into his biggest interest.

“In fifth grade, I joined flag football, and I never stopped playing since then,” Davis said. “I’ve always been a big guy, so my relatives are always like ‘Oh, you should be a football player,’ and I guess I always kept playing because of that.”

Though Davis also wrestles and throws shotput, the atmosphere of Friday night lights and the intense game play is what sets football apart from other sports.

“In football, there’s a certain feeling you get during big games,” Davis said. “You see everyone in the stands on both sides. Every seat is filled, and they’re all watching you and your team play. The feeling that you get [on the field], you can’t get anywhere else, not even during wrestling or in the throwing rink.”

Davis experienced tough times and obstacles in the beginning of his high school football career.

“I got injured in my sophomore year when a guy came twenty yards down, targeted me, and hit me down. I was injured for the rest of the season,” Davis said. “But I came back my junior year, and my proudest night was last year during senior night. It was our hardest game besides the playoffs, and they were the biggest guys I’ve ever played against.”

During that game, Davis did not allow his opponents intimidate him, and instead changed his usual game play on the field.

“I was like, ‘Wow, how am I supposed to beat this guy, I’m small compared to him—Even though I’m a big guy,’” he said. “I’m usually not supposed to rush hard, but I thought that I might as well go hard for this game. I shot off past him to the gap in between the left guard and center, and it was my first sack of my high school career, against the hardest team I ever played. I was nervous, but I took a risk and it worked out.”

Kailee Gifford (12), Davis’ teammate and friend, commented on Davis’ style of play and importance on the team.

“He’s unique as a player because he has to play under constant pressure,” she said. “A lot of the time he has to go against a double-team, which means he’s always having to fight and work harder than the two opposing players combined. He has huge responsibilities on defense, and his presence always really affects the game.”

Davis’ acquired knowledge from seven years of experience left him with advice for rising football players.

“Don’t be afraid,” Davis said. “Even if you’re big or small, slow or fast, you still have a place on the field, it’s for everyone. Big guys, they have the line. Fast guys, they have the wide receiver or running backs. There’s always a place for anyone on the team, so don’t feel like ‘Oh I’m not big enough,’ you can work on that. Just don’t be afraid of trying out football, it’s not that scary.”