Q&A with Countryside HS football players
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Q&A with members of the Countryside High School football team.
Elijah Mills #5
Age: 18
What are your personal goals and athletic dreams?
Elijah Mills: My goal is to get into college and play at the next level.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage this?
Mills: Getting everyone on the same page; I am young and still trying out this leadership thing.
What was the best advice you were even given?
Mills: You can only do so much, so do what you can.
What do you love about your sport?
Mills: Football is the only thing I know. I have been playing ever since I was young. I love the excitement, adrenaline and playing with my team.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Mills: I always pray that we have a great game with no problems.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Mills: I like working out and spending time with family.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Mills: Patience. And how to work hard to get where you want to be.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
Mills: Everything the coaches tell me I take in; they are all wise.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Mills: Missing tackles and over-pursuing. However, I will focus on the next play and make up for it with a big tackle.
“Anyone can chase their dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It’s never too late to do what you love or believe in. Never procrastinate.” – Elijah Mills
Jalen Brown #7
Age: 17
What are your personal goals and athletic dreams?
Jalen Brown: To get a free college education.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage this?
Brown: Being physical, but I manage that by becoming more aggressive.
What was the best advice you were even given?
Brown: “The weak never succeed.”
What do you love about your sport?
Brown: EVERYTHING!
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Brown: I always listen to music before games.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Brown: Play video games.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Brown: Teamwork makes the dream work.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
Brown: “Do it wrong, do it long. Do it right, do it light.”
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Brown: Missing a tackle, but I just forget about it and move on.
John Angelo #1
Age: 15
What are your personal goals and athletic dreams?
John Angelo: To attend a D1 college and then go in the NFL.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage this?
Angelo: I find trying to get a whole team to buy into one main goal can be difficult. I try to motivate my players and try to help them the best I can.
What was the best advice you were even given?
Angelo: My dad once told me, “The only person you can control is you.”
What do you love about your sport?
Angelo: Making a big play and celebrating with the team.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Angelo: I typically go over plays and watch film and then listen to music.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Angelo: I enjoy fishing and meeting up with friends.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Angelo: It has taught me to be a leader and compete my tail off.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
Angelo: “Just relax and play football.”
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Angelo: Getting too comfortable. I overcame this by letting no one outwork me.
Brandon Lincoln #87
Age: 16
What are your personal goals and athletic dreams?
Brandon Lincoln: To go to college and then get drafted into the NFL.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage this?
Lincoln: Memorizing plays but I manage this by studying them more.
What was the best advice you were even given?
Lincoln: “The pain is all in your head.”
What do you love about your sport?
Lincoln: Playing with my teammates because they are my family.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Lincoln: I just try to stay locked in and focused.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Lincoln: I also enjoy playing basketball.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Lincoln: I have learned a lot about leadership.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
Lincoln: “Hard work beats talent.”
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Lincoln: I kept stopping mid-play and I overcame this by fighting through the whistle.
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