Football Feature: Washington Blue Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Being sophomores when they became full-time varsity players, the Washington Blue Lions duo of Josh Williams and Nathan Wilson want to use that experience to propel their team to a winning season in their final try on the football field.
Both players began playing the sport relatively young with Williams, the Blue Lions' quarterback, beginning in sixth grade in Chillicothe and Wilson in the fifth grade as a part of pony league football in Fayette County.
"(Football) is a family tradition, and I love the game," Wilson said.
Both players just want to take this season one game at a time, as they said following one of their summer two-a-day practices. Though it is their final year of playing football for the Blue Lions, they agreed this season is a little different.
"It is different because you're the main guy that everyone's looking up to and trying to do your best and lead by example," Wilson said. "Thinking back as a sophomore, looking up to all the big guys, trying to make the big plays, we were trying to be like them.
"Now you're that dude, and kids up in the stands look down at you, and you're just trying to impress and see what you've got for your last year."
Williams also spoke about being a senior and being a quarterback.
"I really like it (being a senior) because I like the pressure and everything relies on me, so if I don't play (well), then obviously we're not going to have a good game," Williams said.[[In-content Ad]]
"Being a quarterback, you've got to remember every play, if it's a run or a pass. You've got to be a leader out on the field. [I enjoy] getting the ball every play and getting to touch the ball. It was a little confusing when I first started, but I eventually caught on."
As for Wilson, being a wide receiver and a defensive back, he too explained the position and some of the tendencies of playing two of the more noticeable positions on the football field.
"At receiver, you just have to run crisp routes, and sometimes you get mad when a running play is called," Wilson said. "But you've still got a job to make blocks.
"On defense, you've just got to have a mentality and want to go after the ball and watch the coverage and know your zones. I definitely [prefer] defense.
"I like to hit. I get kind of upset when the ball doesn't come my way, because I kind of like getting all the glory for making the tackles, but you've just got to do your best."
Both seniors also spoke about why they play the game.
"It's just really fun for me," Williams said. "I like being out here with all my friends, and I like playing on Friday nights. There's nothing better.
"I like hearing our band play when we score, and when we make a big play, the crowd being really loud, and hearing the other crowd be silent. For me, it means everything because I moved here from Trace to be a quarterback, and everyone took me in."
Wilson also enjoys being with his teammates.
"I just enjoy being with my teammates and going out there on Friday nights," he said. "I love playing in front of my home crowd. I know everyone knows me, I know all of them. I've been out there for three years. I try to do my best every play, make plays so I hear the crowd clap and hear my name over the intercom.
"I think that's the most spine-tingling, nerve-racking motivation that's out there. I love being a Blue Lion. I've had a lot of family go through here, had a lot of good times here. I'm just trying to keep on going with the tradition."
Both players began playing the sport relatively young with Williams, the Blue Lions' quarterback, beginning in sixth grade in Chillicothe and Wilson in the fifth grade as a part of pony league football in Fayette County.
"(Football) is a family tradition, and I love the game," Wilson said.
Both players just want to take this season one game at a time, as they said following one of their summer two-a-day practices. Though it is their final year of playing football for the Blue Lions, they agreed this season is a little different.
"It is different because you're the main guy that everyone's looking up to and trying to do your best and lead by example," Wilson said. "Thinking back as a sophomore, looking up to all the big guys, trying to make the big plays, we were trying to be like them.
"Now you're that dude, and kids up in the stands look down at you, and you're just trying to impress and see what you've got for your last year."
Williams also spoke about being a senior and being a quarterback.
"I really like it (being a senior) because I like the pressure and everything relies on me, so if I don't play (well), then obviously we're not going to have a good game," Williams said.[[In-content Ad]]
"Being a quarterback, you've got to remember every play, if it's a run or a pass. You've got to be a leader out on the field. [I enjoy] getting the ball every play and getting to touch the ball. It was a little confusing when I first started, but I eventually caught on."
As for Wilson, being a wide receiver and a defensive back, he too explained the position and some of the tendencies of playing two of the more noticeable positions on the football field.
"At receiver, you just have to run crisp routes, and sometimes you get mad when a running play is called," Wilson said. "But you've still got a job to make blocks.
"On defense, you've just got to have a mentality and want to go after the ball and watch the coverage and know your zones. I definitely [prefer] defense.
"I like to hit. I get kind of upset when the ball doesn't come my way, because I kind of like getting all the glory for making the tackles, but you've just got to do your best."
Both seniors also spoke about why they play the game.
"It's just really fun for me," Williams said. "I like being out here with all my friends, and I like playing on Friday nights. There's nothing better.
"I like hearing our band play when we score, and when we make a big play, the crowd being really loud, and hearing the other crowd be silent. For me, it means everything because I moved here from Trace to be a quarterback, and everyone took me in."
Wilson also enjoys being with his teammates.
"I just enjoy being with my teammates and going out there on Friday nights," he said. "I love playing in front of my home crowd. I know everyone knows me, I know all of them. I've been out there for three years. I try to do my best every play, make plays so I hear the crowd clap and hear my name over the intercom.
"I think that's the most spine-tingling, nerve-racking motivation that's out there. I love being a Blue Lion. I've had a lot of family go through here, had a lot of good times here. I'm just trying to keep on going with the tradition."