It’s not that uncommon for football players to turn around and play soccer in the spring. Usually, however, such an arrangement involves a kicker. This case is different. Tavon Westley is a linebacker for the Valdosta High Wildcats who also happens to play keeper and forward for the Wildcats’ soccer team. How did he get started with soccer and how difficult is the transition from football to pitch? He explains everything here in his own words.
1. How long have you been playing football and soccer?
I’ve been playing football since I was seven years old. Soccer came about when I was in middle school. A lot of my friends played soccer and they talked me into it. I tried it, I liked it, and I stayed with it.
2. How are football and soccer similar?
The object of both is to score the most points. You have offensive and defensive positions. The midfielders are the running backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen. The forwards are like quarterbacks.
3. What skills does it take to do well in both sports?
You have to be strong. Good footwork and speed help. You also need good awareness and reflexes. Endurance helps, too, especially in soccer.
4. Is the transition from football to soccer difficult?
It’s actually quite simple. Football workouts carry over into soccer. But there’s more running in soccer.
5. What do you like most about soccer?
I really like the competitiveness. It’s not a high scoring game. It often comes down to who’s better on defense.
6. What are your goals for soccer this year?
I scored six goals last year and I’d like to score more than six goals this year. I’d also like to maybe get Most Valuable Player for our team.
7. How is the physicality of both sports similar?
In soccer, you can’t touch the ball with your hands so you have to be more physical with your torso and shoulders. You use them to control both the defenders and the ball.
8. Which sport do you enjoy the most?
I like football more than soccer. Football is fun because it’s more universal. You have more fans and more people paying attention to the games. On every down you have a chance to have an impact on the game. It makes it more emotional.
9. What does your team need to do to make the playoffs this year?
We need to come together and understand how each other plays. We need to build off that and build team unity.
10. What does the future hold for you?
I don’t plan on playing sports in college. I’m looking at attending Columbus State University and major in nursing. I like to help people and ever since I was a little boy, I’ve wanted to work in the medical field.
10 Questions/South Georgia/January 2015
Tavon Westley
Valdosta High School
Valdosta, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
