It’s 7 PM on a Monday night and three hours of football practice just ended. He makes his way to lifetime fitness just to fit in a few more reps before the day comes to an end. He grabs his sweat towel, water bottle, and protein mix to start his night off right. As he walks up the stairs to the lifting area, all he can hear is “Til I Collapse” playing  intensely in his ears. After squatting, pull-ups, benching, and abs, he’s drenched in sweat. His motto is “If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to win”. Meet Andrew Smith (12).

Smith, better known as “Chick”, has been one of the Cougars’ leading defenseman for the past three years. With his inspiring words and mental toughness, Andrew becomes honored with the title of captain for the varsity team since he was a junior.

As his senior year is finally here and this becomes his final season before moving onto college, he starts to feel the pressure building up inside of him.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but my advice for him is to play loose and have fun,” said Head Coach Bill Bellecomo. He agreed that Andrew does put a lot of pressure on himself. He is his biggest competition and his biggest critic.

For his final year of football in high school; our school has moved into new conference, meaning he will have to adjust to the stronger teams.

“It is going to take more time to prepare for these teams since they’re bigger schools, every week is going to be a challenge” said Coach Bellecomo.

As I sat down with Smith early on a Saturday morning, we talked about his future plans. Over the summer he attended West Point, North Dakota State, and Northwestern for football training camps. He so proudly stated that it was almost a surreal moment, to be on a field where the level of play is so increasingly more challenged.

Ever since Smith was a little kid, he has always dreamt of playing football in college. With all of the hard work and dedication he puts forth for this game. All his previous and current coaches, teammates believe he will make it somewhere whether it be a small or big school. With a mindset like Smith’s he is destined to play.

Smith states that his mom continues to be his biggest motivator; however, Ms.Smith unfortunately passed away a few years ago. What’s very memorable and benevolent in most people’s eyes, is that before every home game Smith and his teammates walk to a tree behind the stadium which is dedicated to his mom. As Andrew walks to the tree, he is followed by over 40 of the cougars waiting behind him to pray; for the luck of the game and the hopes of a safe game ahead. Smith is proudly open enough to say that she pushes him everyday to be the best version of himself that she knows and for him to achieve the goals he desires. Most people would take this incident as a downfall, but he took it as a motivator to make him work even harder, just for the love of his mother.

Talking to a few of his teammates, they all said the same thing about Smith. That he is the hardest working kid you will ever see. That he is the type of athlete to go the extra mile just to push himself to the next level. Everyone has that one player on your team which you look up to and you strive to be just like them, not only as an athlete but as a human-being too. On the Vernon Hills cougar football team that one player is recognized as Smith.

The coaches of the football team have always perceived him as a role model of the team. Smith connects with all age levels, he pushes every single one of his teammates, he includes all players for team bonding activities, he will tell you what to fix and what you’re doing right; he will almost be another coach to you, but in the form of a football brother. If you know Chick, you know how he is in school itself. He is always one to say “Hello”, and he is always one to crack jokes with. He is the type of person you can be serious with and one you can definitely trust. Now imagine this, he is the exact same way on the football field.

He walks onto the field blocking out all outside information. He gets into a zone whereas he seems quite frightening, but if you need him; he will always be there to help. On the field he turns into a completely different person. He will be the one yelling cause he is pissed and cheering the team on when they do something right. He will give every last ounce of effort he has left in his body, to leave his team exactly where they need to be. He is a fighter, not always a winner; but he is most certainly the strongest fighter Vernon Hills High School has ever seen.

From all the coaches, teammates, friends, and family; we all wish Smith/Chick the best of luck with his senior year and we hope to see him progress and grow as an athlete and a person for the dreams of his future.