For Lavell Jones-Simpson, football isn’t just a sport. For all four years of high school, the football team has shown him that his teammates and coaches aren’t just that, but his family. Creating unforgettable memories on the football field.
“There’s a motto that we have on the football team. We call it the brotherhood, no matter what happens, we all stand strong with each other,” Jones-Simpson said.
Jones-Simpson is a senior at Grand Ledge High School (GLHS). He has been playing organized football for 5 years. His jersey number is 21, and he plays defensive tackle as a starter for all the games.
“I lead our defensive line in tackles, which is a really huge achievement because we have a really good defensive line for our team,” Jones-Simpson said.
Jones-Simpson has been playing on varsity for two years now. Now that he is a senior, the varsity team has gone 7-2 overall, performing better than last year due to new changes of techniques and attitudes by the coaches and players.
“[Our coach] learned our playing style so he can add that into the plays that he comes up with to help us out on the field,” Jones-Simpson said.
The three seasons before Jones-Simpson’s senior year, the team didn’t bond as much as it does now. The team was divided, and it felt like they were there just to play football.
“I feel like this year, everybody realized, like, hey, we’re here to play football. It doesn’t matter what your background is, the moment you step foot on that field, the bond is there,” Jones-Simpson said.
Throughout the football season, many students struggle with challenges within football or outside the team. Jones-Simpson is one of many to have struggled during his years of high school football.
“This year was the first year that I would say I took [academics seriously] all 3 years before this year, I was struggling with being eligible throughout games,” Jones-Simpson said.
After 4 years, Jones-Simpson’s regular season was coming to an end. In the middle of the final season he and his team made one goal for them to work hard towards and try to accomplish their goal to end their final season with something to remember.
“We have not lost a home game this year. I would like to be undefeated at home this year,” Jones-Simpson said.
As Jones-Simpson’s senior year is coming to a close, it is a very heartfelt moment between him and the team he’s been with since his nerve-racking freshman year. Jones-Simpson gives guidance to incoming freshmen who look up to his achievements and who may be in the same shoes he was in three years ago.
“The door closes behind you, there’s definitely another one opening in front of you, you just have to find which one,” Jones-Simpson said.
