Only 0.023% of high school football players go pro after graduation. Many say that was never the goal. Teamwork, social connections and physical ability are all some of the reasons that high school students play football.

Lincoln’s football team has 44 varsity players, each of them  have different values and visions for the future. 

Junior and offensive tackle Jaxon Barber believes that football helps improve teamwork skills.

“You get to know how to work with other people and have different ideas on different ways to solve a problem,” said Barber.

Senior and quarterback Liam Eldridge appreciates the opportunity to expand his social skills. 

“There’s a lot of great communication skills and how to be a leader and how to interact with your peers to all rally for one common goal,” said Eldridge. 

Players also believe playing football now will benefit them in the future. Barber, whose ideal profession is to be a physical therapist, believes football will aid him in this practice.

“I have definitely learned more about my body [while] playing football, and how certain things I do can impact it,” said Barber. “So I think it would help me understand how the human body works and muscles and bone structures,” said Barber.

Senior and offensive Quick tackle Adrian Clark also sees benefits for his future.

“I feel that football will help me later in life due to the teamwork aspect and being able to work with others,” said Clark. “The teamwork aspect is the literal biggest thing. We’re like a machine, all parts have to do their job to do the best.”