The first thing I remember is feeling the butterflies in my stomach. I was ten years old, and I was about to start my first American football practice. I didn’t know the rules of the game nor any of the other kids playing, but I was excited. I was finally old enough for my parents to let me play. I stepped onto the practice field, the smell of the grass reminding me that it was summer, the heat bearing down on my face, and the weight of my helmet reminding me that I was still a child. That was a good year.
My second vivid memory comes from high school. I was slated to start at both running back and linebacker. At just under 180 pounds, I was nervous to do both. These guys were not nearly as skinny as I was. I just had to hope that my quickness and intelligence could get me through the game. My first snap at running back was a good one. I was supposed to get the toss and take it outside the right tackle. The QB was under center. The ball was snapped. He turned around to make the toss, and immediately I had a massive defensive end in my face. He had gotten free in the backfield, but I could see my left tackle charging his way.I cut the run back inside, allowing my tackle to get there. One moment of hesitation. A hole opened up in the B gap, and I dashed through it. I was in the second level of defenders. A block from my tight end, and it was just the safeties to beat. I cut the run back to the left and they didn’t stand a chance. It was my first touchdown in high school, and there were a lot more to come.
College was a great time for me. I had gotten the opportunity to play running back for three years, but I was only used as a sub. In my senior year, I decided I wanted to make more of an impact. I put on about 15 pounds and switched positions. I had played linebacker in high school, so it was a familiar spot for me. I had a pretty good year, leading the team in tackles and adding a couple of interceptions for good measure. Thanks to my teammates and me, we had gone 9-4 and earned a spot in the Liberty Bowl against Arkansas. I only racked up 5 tackles and a pass deflected, but we had won 26-3. Somehow I got the game ball. “This one goes out to the quarterback of our defense and our Most Improved Player of the year, Ishigawa!” proclaimed Coach Holgorsen. “We held those bastards to 3 points, and we sniffed out every damn play before the ball was even snapped. Congratulations, kid!” The locker room gave a cheer. My college career was over, but my days in football would go much, much farther...
Word count: 494
My second vivid memory comes from high school. I was slated to start at both running back and linebacker. At just under 180 pounds, I was nervous to do both. These guys were not nearly as skinny as I was. I just had to hope that my quickness and intelligence could get me through the game. My first snap at running back was a good one. I was supposed to get the toss and take it outside the right tackle. The QB was under center. The ball was snapped. He turned around to make the toss, and immediately I had a massive defensive end in my face. He had gotten free in the backfield, but I could see my left tackle charging his way.I cut the run back inside, allowing my tackle to get there. One moment of hesitation. A hole opened up in the B gap, and I dashed through it. I was in the second level of defenders. A block from my tight end, and it was just the safeties to beat. I cut the run back to the left and they didn’t stand a chance. It was my first touchdown in high school, and there were a lot more to come.
College was a great time for me. I had gotten the opportunity to play running back for three years, but I was only used as a sub. In my senior year, I decided I wanted to make more of an impact. I put on about 15 pounds and switched positions. I had played linebacker in high school, so it was a familiar spot for me. I had a pretty good year, leading the team in tackles and adding a couple of interceptions for good measure. Thanks to my teammates and me, we had gone 9-4 and earned a spot in the Liberty Bowl against Arkansas. I only racked up 5 tackles and a pass deflected, but we had won 26-3. Somehow I got the game ball. “This one goes out to the quarterback of our defense and our Most Improved Player of the year, Ishigawa!” proclaimed Coach Holgorsen. “We held those bastards to 3 points, and we sniffed out every damn play before the ball was even snapped. Congratulations, kid!” The locker room gave a cheer. My college career was over, but my days in football would go much, much farther...
Word count: 494
![[Image: cHAD.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/319945672310784010/405609245862658059/cHAD.jpg)
