Frankie Koteras, #71, is the corner for the junior varsity football team here at Sahuaro. He comes from Gridley Middle School and has been playing football for the past 8 years. He has also played other sports such as soccer, basketball, track, and is thinking of participating in wrestling later this year. He plans to continue football through high school and thinks he is on track to make varsity in the next year or so.
Frankie attended the freshman football camp this summer to prepare for the football season. During the camp, they learned the new plays for the season and then hit the weight room. In the weight room, they targeted a different part of their body each day. For example, Monday was arms and then Wednesday was legs. As a corner for the team, he covers the receivers.
The JV football team has practice every single day, except Sundays, for about 2 to 3 hours and ends on weekdays around 6:15 to 6:30. During their practices, they run their plays and do different weight-lifting workouts. After every practice, they run for about 15 minutes straight, something Frankie enjoys. He said, “I joined the football team to get into shape.” His family and friends are incredibly supportive of his love for football; he even has cousins who play in college. He has a great relationship with his teammates both on and off the field, and most of his friends are on the team. He also has a great relationship with all three of his football coaches. “The whole team is like one big family, it’s a really positive space and a great part of my day. I look forward to it when I wake up,” he said.
Now you may be wondering, why football? Well, Frankie says it’s because “I love the sport. I have since I was little. I’ve always wanted to do high school football and I feel accomplished knowing that I’m on the team.” While Frankie doesn’t plan on continuing football in college, he does plan to go into an automotive trade school after he graduates. He currently takes 3rd-period automotive class at Sahuaro. He doesn’t find it hard to maintain his grades and said that he has “A’s and B’s” for grades.
Outside of school days, Frankie likes to play video games such as Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty, and many others. Another hobby he has outside of school is Airsoft. He likes to go to Airsoft fields with his friends in his free time.
JV’s next football game is this coming Thursday, September 14th, here at Sahuaro against Cholla High School. Kickoff is at 6 p.m., and Frankie expects to win. Be there! Go Cougars!
