Larry Jacobson, JTV Sports
I tried – I really did…
I tried to get Northwest High School senior Drew Galloway to talk about the end of the high school football season and what might lie ahead for the Mounties: such as the school’s first football playoff berth.
But try as I might, he wouldn’t budge.
“We just want to keep it very simple and focused,” Galloway said. “Our goal is to be 1-0 each week- climbing just that one mountain. We have a pretty tough schedule and Coach Slater wants us only to concentrate on the next week’s opponent and the whole team has bought into that.”
Galloway, a senior wide receiver and defensive back for the Mounties and a three sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball, did provide a little more insight.
“You know, all of our goals are still intact despite these losses,” he said. “It would be awesome to make the state playoffs and the whole school and community would be excited to see it. This team would love for our legacy to be the first team to make it.”
The Mounties started the year 2-0 with impressive opening victories over Hillsdale and Lansing Waverly before dropping three straight. The three losses, however, have come against teams with a combined record of 12-3, including state ranked and unbeaten Lumen Christi and one loss Mason. That mini-mountain philosophy of not looking beyond the next opponent is helping the team stay focused and sharp.
“Our goals are still there for us,” Galloway repeated.
Galloway’s father Chris, the Northwest High School Athletic Director and a former Jackson High athlete, is Drew’s off-the-field confidante.
“My dad played sports in high school and college, so he knows the different things that I’ll go through,” Drew said. “He’s always been there for me if I was having problems or just needed someone to talk to because he’s been through it all.”
And how is it with his dad being the AD?
“Oh, I’ve gotten used to it,” Drew said.
The mentality that serves Drew so well on the football field is also helping him navigate his senior year. He’s been so focused on the moment that it really hasn’t hit him that his senior year is off and running.
“I really haven’t thought of that too much,” he said. “If I did, I’d probably get pretty sad. My dad has always reminded me to enjoy it and try to make it last. It’s been really special working with Coach (Corey) Slater over the years and I really look up to him, too. I suppose sometime next summer, when I’m not getting ready for Northwest football practice, it’ll hit me that I’m all done with high school, but right now I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
Drew said he’d like to attend Michigan State University or Central Michigan next fall, but doesn’t plan on playing any sports.
“I think I’d like to just focus on being a student,” he said. “But things can change.”
They certainly can, of course, but right now Drew Galloway is focused only the Mounties next football game – only on that next mountain. In time there will be others to climb, and I’m betting he’ll be ready for them.