NCSA caught up with rising football star Joe Newlon (Bull Valley, IL) about his high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level. Newlon is a 1st Team All-Area player and was recently named Offensive Lineman of the Year.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Newlon: The thought of being on the field and going head–to-head against other teams always motivated me before games. I would visualize my team’s plays and my role specifically. The roar of the crowd and running out under the lights every Friday night made all of the time and effort I put into football worth it.
Before games I would listen to music. Not the heavy screaming stuff, just something to get me focused and prepared for the upcoming game. Then the team and I would eat fruit before starting our pre-game walk through.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play in college?
Newlon: If I get to play at the collegiate level, I look forward to the higher level of competition. I will learn even more about conditioning and proper strength training which will enable me to become a bigger, stronger, and faster player. The coaches have a greater understanding of the game which will give me the opportunity to improve both my mental and physical skills as an athlete. I think the entire experience will teach me additional skills that will help me grow as a person as well.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in football?
Newlon: I grew up around football. I got to attend college games with my parents at an early age and my entire family enjoys watching football. There was usually a pick up game going on in my neighborhood that I could join. I was always drawn to the game and when I finally got the chance to play in high school I knew it was the ideal sport for me. My love for the game as a fan transitioned into that of a player. There is always room for improvement in football, so it provides an opportunity to better myself with each play in an effort to help the team.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Newlon: With the help of NCSA, I have had interactions with many coaches from different areas of the country on both D1-AA and D3 levels. I’m honored every time a coach contacts me and I get excited to think their school may be my potential home for the next few years. Learning about the different colleges and their football programs has been informative and made me realize the vast number of opportunities that will be available once I enter college.
NCSA: How did your team do this season?
Newlon: My team worked extremely hard in the off season to build a strong and closely knit team. Weight room attendance was at an all time high and we took two team trips that helped build the strong bonds necessary for successful teams. When the season began, our hard work was apparent and our team had great chemistry.
We were challenged at the beginning of the season to make the playoffs. Our high school team had been in the playoffs the nineteen previous years and gaining a playoff birth in our competitive conference would make it twenty consecutive years of playoff appearances. We played a tough schedule and new teams that had had success in the past and finished with a regular season record of 6-3. We achieved our goal of making the playoffs for the 20th consecutive year, but lost in the first round. We had a successful season and laid the path for future teams to succeed as well.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year?
Newlon: Athletically, I want to continue my strength and endurance training to become a better athlete. I want to improve my long snapping and learn everything I can about my position. I want to play at the collegiate level and really focus on improving as a player.
Academically, I want to maintain my good grades. I have a tough senior schedule, but I am willing to work hard in these classes in order to get into the schools with reputations of academic excellence. I want to prove that I can handle a tough course load in addition to practice, family activities, and extracurricular activities.
In the past I have coached the community’s junior league football camps over the summer. A few of my teammates and I got to coach the kids through drills and games that helped increase their knowledge of the game. It was fun to see them develop and it gave me a glimpse of how coaches view the players. I also helped out with the town’s Soap Box Derby and I hope to do more activities like that which benefit the community this year.
