By Samuel Campbell
Sophomore Hayden Sampson has big plans for TPA’s football team. Every position on the team is equally important, but good quarterback play is crucial for the team’s success. This is why Hayden decided to get working now on preparation for next season.
“I really think that we have a chance this year for our tackle football team” remarks Hayden, “and I want to give us the best chance possible.”
To have sophomores and freshmen starting in high school football games last season was uncommon, but with fewer upperclassmen, the underclassmen really had to step it up. Hayden was no exception.
To improve his skills, Hayden has been going to club football practices and games for more than four hours a week. TPA’s head football coach, Larry Cain, suggested that Hayden meet with a personal trainer to help refine his football skills. Pete Hargis, Hayden’s personal trainer, had Hayden join his club football team, and Hayden’s gone from there. The club Hayden plays for competes in 7 vs. 7 for two-hand touch football. “Even though it’s two-hand touch,” Hayden says, “the guys still like to hit hard.” That is not surprising, considering the competitive nature of many athletes who play club ball.
TPA’s football team usually plays in the 2A or 3A division of Arizona high school football, which includes other small schools in the state. However, the teams Hayden faces in club football include many guys from 5A-6A division schools, the largest and often best football teams in the state. Hayden thinks that “when you’re playing against 6A teams in football, it really makes it easier to play once you go back to 2A schools.”
Hayden plays teams from all around the state, and even some teams from other states, such as California. He plays against teams with athletes from huge high schools such as Mountain Point and Highland, and he does well. Though it consumes a lot of time that could be spent elsewhere, Hayden really enjoys playing club football and the opportunity to improve his abilities.
We are all excited for the upcoming season to cheer on Hayden and all our awesome Knight football players!