OCALA, Fla. — Carter Schofield is 14 years old and continues the Ocala native generational tradition. As the oldest of three brothers, he comes from an active family that loves God, prioritizes health, and enjoys sports. At the age of three, he started playing soccer at the YMCA but quickly transitioned to baseball for a stint of eight years. From the age of five until twelve years old, he played several positions in baseball for Ocala Rotary, Scott Carrigan, and eventually Next Level and Ocala Prowl travel ball. Though he found himself enjoying the action from center field, he was moved to a pitching position as his strength and accuracy in throwing developed. As a pitcher, he cultivated a desire for the strategy behind the game and learned how well he could embrace the pressure of the mound. It was common for Carter to play more than one sport at a time.
In first grade, Under Amour Under the Lights Flag Football started a league in Ocala and Carter immediately registered. It was after each season of Under the Lights that his love for football really began to develop. One year, he played back-to-back seasons and played for MCYFL Flag Football as well.

His youth sports experience eventually transferred to school sports in 5th grade when Carter was finally able to try out for Blessed Trinity (BT) flag football, basketball and track and field. At BT, he played multiple school sports in 5th and 6th grades while he continued to play rec baseball and flag football. Both years, he started as the quarterback for flag football and led his team to win the championships. His basketball team made it into the play-offs each year. During these two years, Carter also earned his place on the podium both as an individual and a teammate for the 100, 220, 400 relay and 800 medley events in track and field.  His competitive edge translated to the classroom where he found himself included on the president’s honor roll. In 6th grade at BT, Carter received the overall athletic excellence award for his character, academics, and sports for his grade. During this time, he trained after school at CrossFit Kids at Iron Legion and participated in his first competition alongside his parents. Carter has learned he is a true competitor, finds joy in pushing himself to achieve new goals, and continues to find motivation in his potential to play alongside friends on a team. Though Carter has played most sports available, his play time over the years has been spent outside, in the backyard playing football with neighborhood friends.
As each season of Under the Lights Flag Football ended, Carter would beg his parents to allow him to play MCYFL tackle football.  His parents were skeptical of the full contact sport, especially since he had a mild seizure disorder early on as a child. But Carter’s determination, convincing, and prayer came to fruition at the age of twelve when his parents finally agreed to allow him to play MCYFL tackle football where he played for the Junior Wildcats and later the Senior Celtics as the starting quarterback.

During this time, Carter independently trained with the late Rob Delfino to show his commitment to the sport and develop his skills and strength. In 2021, he was asked to play on the MCYFL Allstar Team and passed for almost 200 yards in one of his best games and led his team to win. Though Carter continues to play basketball during middle school at Redeemer Christian School, he is determined to choose football as his main sport and continue his dream to play at a D1 college one day. Carter has already discovered many Christ-like attributes through sports that translate on and off the field. His standard for excellence, perseverance, humility, and calm demeanor enables him to rise in new experiences and academic achievements experienced through the transition of COVID with new schools, adapting to new curriculums, and meeting new friends. He is discovering his leadership potential, the value of healthy friendships, but most importantly the role of his faith and family. He gives all the glory to God as he continues to hone his skills and push new limits and discover God’s true calling for him one day.

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