Oconomowoc’s Greg Galloway made switch from basketball to football and it’s starting to pay off
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (BVM) — It took some time and convincing for Greg Galloway to shift his main focus from basketball to football.
“I still love playing basketball,” Galloway said. “I’m still going to play my senior year here, but my main focus has switched.”
What started out as a mission to help turnaround the Racoons’ football program and make them competitive within the Classic Eight Conference has turned into a blossoming football career that will most likely lead to college next year.
“It just took a lot of convincing in my own head as well as the coaches talking to me like, ‘You can really do this, you just got to focus on it.’” Galloway said.
Galloway has accomplished his first goal. Oconomowoc entered the 2021 season expected to have its best–ever finish in the Classic Eight and last year won as many games in conference play as it had in its first three years in the conference, going 3-4 and 4-5 overall.
“All the guys really bought into the program and the culture and it’s a lot different than in the past years and you can see that,” Galloway said. “I think we’re looking really good.”
The team and Galloway have both come a long way in a short time. However, Galloway had confidence in both himself and his teammates from the beginning.
“I definitely saw this coming when I joined my sophomore year,” Galloway said.
A gifted athlete, Galloway made the varsity basketball team as a freshman and was a solid contributor by his sophomore season. However, his game which was more based on a post presence and his mid-range game was not suited for basketball past the high school level.
“My height’s just not there,” Galloway said.
His height may not have been there for basketball, but the athleticism, his instincts and the vision he had developed from basketball and brought to the football field translated perfectly. It’s made him a menace to any quarterback that has found themselves in the unfortunate situation of getting under center opposite of Galloway.
Along with all of his physical attributes, he has an impressive work ethic and is willing to play anywhere and take on any role the team needs him too.
“Honestly I’ll do anything it takes to get the team some wins,” Galloway said.
He’s played defensive line, outside linebacker, he’s even played wide receiver but in the end defensive line seems to be where his talents are best used.
“Last year, they had moved me from defensive end to outside linebacker trying the outside contain,” Galloway said. “Then Coach Logue was talking to me and he was like, ‘I just think you’re better with your head on the ground, getting off the ball fast and just exploding forward putting pressure on the quarterback.’”
His ability to do so earned his first team all-conference honors last season and has led to colleges taking notice of him. Galloway currently has an offer from Illinois State, a preferred walk-on from Northern Illinois and is being looked at by Iowa State.
“It was great,” Galloway said. “It was like the hard work does pay off, like you never really know until it does. Obviously I’m not done working hard you know I still work my butt off every single day to be the best player, the best version I can be.”
All the convincing it had taken to not just Galloway but his coaches and teammates to focus more on football had finally paid off. His realization that his talents would be best used and take him farther on the football field are beginning to do just that.
Galloway has had help all along the way. From his first time with the football team to now he both acknowledges and appreciates all the help he has received during his journey.
“The whole team was more than welcoming. … They all got behind my back real quick to help me get to where I am today,” Galloway said. “I can’t thank all my teammates, my coaches, my family and even the community, I can’t thank anyone enough for all the help and support they have given me.”
