MHS hasn’t been known for having a consistently winning football program but has been recognized for having great individual players like runningback and safety Senior Aaron Woolford.

“My first year I actually quit, and then I gave it another try the next year, and then I don’t know, I kind of just fell in love with [football] after that,” said Woolford. “Just being able to run around and hit people and have fun, it kind of just stuck.”

Next fall, Woolford is fully committed to playing football at the University of Dubuque but hopes to get a full-ride to the university. He has been playing football since he was 9-years-old and has developed his love, passion and talent for the sport over the years.

When Woolford realized his true talent for the sport in eighth grade, he started to push himself harder to become the athlete he is today. His self-motivation helped him to reach his fullest potential with assistance from his family and teammates.

“Last year it was a lot of fun to play with him. He motivated me and other players to do our best,” said Senior Cameron Jobe, friend and teammate.

He showed his leadership skills through his actions rather than his words.

Woolford said he brought the best out of his teammates because “when they see [him] going hard and trying [his] best, they want to do the same thing to help [him] out.”

His leadership skills is what pushed lots of his teammates to work hard on and off the field.

“Aaron is a hard-working team player and is always playing for the team and always looking to do things to help the team become better and make sure we are playing as one,” said Senior Anthony Watson, friend and teammate.

On and off the field, Woolford’s attitude is often happy in an attempt to make other people happy. He enjoys joking around with his teammates, but when it gets to game time, his focus turns to the game.

“Play after play he would just give you all he had every time– no matter if it was a one yard gain or a six yard gain, he would give you all he had,” said Watson, “But off the field he was a funny and goofy kid and liked to mess around.”

While Woolford can have a good time with his teammates, he doesn’t rely on them or his coaches to push him to do his best; he takes responsibility for his own growth.

Said Woolford, “It’s one thing for them to tell me to do something, but I have to be able to do it myself.”