Encouraged by his friends, 15-year-old Parker Smith (9) took a chance and decided to join the football team. What began as a challenge soon revealed itself to be an experience filled with growth and reward. Now, Smith looks ahead to continuing the sport through his upcoming high school years.

Ever since joining his middle school football team, Smith’s favorite part wasn’t just the game itself, but the chance to get to be on the field with his friends.

“When I’m on defense, my teammates and I help remind each other of the plays and how we are supposed to cover, so we can stop passes and help contain the outside,” Smith said.

“Sometimes, I struggle with getting to drops in my corner,” Smith states. “But, this year I plan to keep trying my best in practice and in games so that I can improve.”

Smith believes success starts with mentality and relies on a pregame routine to help prepare.

“I stay off my phone and social media and think about playing the best game I can,” Smith said.

Even though Smith is only a freshman, he believes it is never too early to start thinking about college. Smith is interested in attending the University of Southern California to further both his education and his football career.

“USC has a decent [football] program and they have a similar defense to what we have here at CPHS,” Smith states.

As Smith continues on his high school journey, he plans to stay committed to football and keep working to improve. The sport has helped him to build discipline and perseverance, which have led him to grow as a person both on and off the field. For Smith, football is not just a game but a means for growth and future goals.