For the Love of the Game

You can hear the fans cheering a mile away from Whitmer High School's football stadium. Being a senior Whitmer football player, Georgio Armour has high hopes for his school work and his football career. Growing up, Georgio had his cousin, JoJuan Armour, to look up to. JoJuan currently plays in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The most significant part about this scenario is that Georgio has the same head football coach as JoJuan did in high school; Coach Joe Palka. "JoJuan taught me the true meaning of dedication and hard work. Coach Palka has influenced me to follow in JoJuan's footsteps and make it to the NFL," Georgio states anxiously.

Georgio is a running back, which is one of the hardest positions on the offense because he has to know how to play every position on the field. He is also a kick returner, which is when the opponent kicks the ball to the other team who tries to return the ball up field as many yards as possible. Georgio recaps, "I remember the first time I caught a kick return. I was so nervous and I had butterflies before the ball was in the air. My fellow team mate, Jacob Noon, encouraged me and told me, 'Lets go Georgio.' That's when I knew I had to return the ball up field."

Between school and football, Georgio makes time to look for a job. Currently unemployed, he hopes with the closure of football season, it will being a minimum-wage paying job. In his free time, Georgio keeps in touch with his close friends and family. Without any work of whom the scouts are looking at, Georgio hopes for the best. If college football is not an option for Georgio, he still plans to continue his schooling at a college close to home and study construction. "Hopefully, as the years go on, my success in football will prosper. If not, life goes on. you only live once, so live your life with the appreciation of what gifts and paths God gives you."

5-0 Undefeated

With Whitmers win over St. John's, Whitmer continues to stay undefeated. In week one, Whitmer defeated Tiffin Columbian 35-7. In week two, they defeated Fremont Ross 25-9. In week three, the Panthers defeated Fostoria 48-12. In week four, they defeated Rogers 43-20. This past Friday, week five, they continued their winning streak with St. Johns, in an ending score of 20-7.

By having four turnovers, fans worry about the end of the road for Whitmer's winning streak. With the help of senior quarterback Joe Missler, his two interceptions, his completion of all ten other passes for 148 yards, and his 78 yards on 18 carries, Whitmer recovered their mistakes. Missler was not the only recovery for the game. With the help of Teryl Mershon and Randall Kennedy, Tevin Boykin scored the tying touchdown in the last three minutes of the first quarter.

"There were no big chunks," Coach Palka said of his team's ball control. "They played good defense, and they're a real physical team. But we had some long drives, and we really just had to take what they were giving us. We had too many turnovers, and our defense really stepped up and bailed us out. We were good enough on offense when we had to be. This was not our best performance, but you can attribute that to St. John's."

Next week, being Whitmer's homecoming game, everyone has high expectations for the Panthers. As Whitmer's rivalry, St. Francis is currently 5-0 also. The fans are getting themselves prepared for this very important determination of who will walk away with another week of success. The Panther's have to put in another week of hard work and effort to prove to hundreds of people that they deserve the city league title and the possible state title.

Introduction

I'm Danielle Jacobiak and I will be the author of the blogs about high school football. When I first introduced myself to this topic, I planned to write about several high school teams. Whitmer, being my alma mondern, changed my mind. Throughout high school, I always followed the football team. I had my cousins, my boyfriend, and my friends to cheer on. Since I still have people to cheer on, I still follow high school football.

Football can mean a lot to some people, and nothing to other. But to the boys/men who play it, it could mean their future. Some go to college and continue to play. Some even make it to the pros. Some play for fun, while other play because it's more to them then just a game. Sometimes high school football can become intense in some scenarios. That's why I'm here.

I decided I would write about the Whitmer High School football team; their success and standards, their starting line up and star players, and I will include details about football after high school for select players. If you are not interested in football, by the end of each blog, you will be. I would appreciate feedback on how you think Whitmer is doing in your own perspective, who you think will be recruited by a college, and/or any disputes you have with some of my statements. Please, do not hold anything back. My blogs will be open for discussion.