Ball is snapped; Preston Scheffler observes the field and looks around, defenders pressuring in. He looks deep for the pass, sees his teammate open, and goes to throw it before being hit. The pass connects with Nick Harget for a touchdown and puts the Warriors up.
Preston Scheffler is class of 2028; he is 14 years old and is 5 ’10 while weighing 175 pounds. During this upcoming football season, he tried out for quarterback and was able to obtain the starting spot. When asked about how he felt after being told he got the starting spot he had this to say: “I was nervous and excited but mostly very excited for myself and happy I was able to get the opportunity to play varsity level football as a freshman.”
So far, the record of the season is 3-3 while they have taken losses to Carlson, Allen Park, and Southgate. Preston doesn’t let the losses get to him though – he always looks forward and perceives any challenge that comes his way. He takes football extremely seriously and is willing to do what it takes to take his game to the next level. He has said, “I want to go out after high school to any level I can, to anyone who is willing to take a chance on me. I have dropped my other sports and am focusing fully on football now.”
Preston doesn’t let his age be a deciding factor for him either – he doesn’t think it makes a difference. When asked how he is treated or seen differently by people, he says, “ Some people don’t believe in me because I’m younger, and they don’t believe I have the physical or mental ability or aspect to get it done, but I ignore it and just focus on myself and what I can do better.” When asked if he believes if his teammates see him differently, Scheffler said, “Yes, a little. Since it is my first year into high school, unlike them, they see me as someone who doesn’t quite know the system yet. But as we continue to go in our season we both start to trust each other better, and they have helped me out and we understand each other more.”
Scheffler’s goals for football don’t stop after high school; his love for the game is one of a kind, and he is hardworking. However, he did get a late start to the game – he didn’t start playing football until the 6th grade. His parents believed it wasn’t healthy, but then they saw how much he wanted to play, and encouraged him and helped him. Scheffler said, “I have wanted to play football since the 3rd grade. I wasn’t allowed though since my mom didn’t want me to experience contact. So I started off on a travel soccer team with my brother, but was always getting in trouble due to contact. So my dad convinced my mom to allow me to start playing in 6th grade, and ever since I fell in love with football.”
The sky seems like the limit for Scheffler as he has a long high school career ahead of him. He shows to be extremely good and promising for the team. But only time will tell if he can pull it off and prove he’s worthy of being a starter and taking his game to the next level. The next game is the homecoming game against Lincoln Park and a lot of people will be there, so it is a good time for Scheffler to show everyone he can and will play to the level the team needs.
