The advice I would give to someone thinking about joining the football team would be do as soon as you can because the years go by fast and you will regret not joining and that is where you make a lot of good memories and at the end of the season you wish that the season wasn’t over yet.
Parlier High School senior Nicholas Gonzales has been passionate about football ever since he was a kid. His love for the sport began when he would watch NFL games with his dad, who inspired him to start playing. Now, years later, Nicholas is the team’s quarterback, a role he takes great pride in. He enjoys the responsibility of leading his team, calling plays, and staying calm under pressure. Balancing school, practice, and games comes naturally to him. He focuses on keeping up with his schoolwork first so that football never interferes with his academics. His commitment to both education and athletics has made him a strong example of dedication and time management.
During football season, Nicholas maintains a full schedule that reflects his determination. After school ends, he spends time with the athletic trainers for rehab before heading home for a light meal, then returns to campus for practice. The team trains from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m., pushing each other to improve every day. Before big games, the team enjoys a meal together, rests, and then walks through plays and stretches to get mentally and physically ready. One of Nicholas’s favorite memories is winning the first away game against Orange Cove, which gave the team an exciting 1–0 start to the season and set a positive tone for the rest of the year.
While Nicholas enjoys every moment on the field, he admits that summer practices and conditioning are some of the hardest parts of being on the team. Early mornings and long days leave little time to relax, but he stays motivated by remembering that this is his final season as a senior. Football has taught him valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and responsibility, skills that he applies in school and life. His advice for anyone thinking about joining the football team is simple: “Do it as soon as you can. The years go by fast, and you’ll make so many good memories. By the end of the season, you’ll wish it wasn’t over yet.”
