Running onto the field in hot, heavy pads, 6’6″ senior and three-year varsity starter Josh Weichel knew that football was meant for him.

Weichel has been playing football for seven years, and played with the Niles West Feeder Football league. He’s always enjoyed the sport, and hopes to continue it after high school ends.

“I want to maintain my 3.1 GPA, and raise it if I can, in order to open up more doors for college. Football-wise, I want to help my team make the playoffs and be an all-conference athlete,” said Weichel.

Football can be a very strenuous sport, but to Weichel, it’s definitely worth every second of it.

“Football can be very hard at times, but I enjoy making plays for my team and winning games because it’s a great feeling to know we accomplished something together as a team. We wouldn’t be a team if every member didn’t contribute,” said Weichel.

Football is a very physical sport, and playing for these past seven years have been a huge stepping-stone to where he wants to go.

“I love football because it is a great way to release anger in a positive way. It also taught me a lot about myself, and it’s a great opportunity for me in my life,” said Weichel. “I started because I had a dream of going to the NFL, and it led me to where I am now.”

Although it’s Weichel’s senior year and his final year of playing with all of his teammates, Weichel will continue to play hard.

“Senior year is scary because all nine games of my senior season could be the last games I ever play with these people, it’s a huge milestone for my future, but I’ll play every game with all the effort that my team deserves,” Weichel said.

Best friend and teammate, senior Chris Adams, is happy to have met Weichel and to have been able to play and grow with him.

“Josh is a great teammate, he constantly picks you up when you are down, not only emotionally, but physically,” Adams said. “I played next to him last year as a guard, and we built good chemistry together. He taught me everything he has learned, and it has helped me with my craft. Being one of the team captains, I still look up to Josh because of how much emotion he puts into the game of football.” 

Junior Andrew Mykulyanych has known Weichel for a long time and has watched him develop as a person and a player.

“I’ve known him since I was in sixth grade; we do a lot for each other. He is one of the biggest and best football players I have ever witnessed in person. He is also very motivational and hardworking,” Mykulyanych said.