While slipping on a jersey and taking the field is a way to fill afternoons for many high school students, playing varsity football has been a longtime goal for senior Riley Endicott.

“I got started playing football when I was really young,” Endicott said. “Its just something I got into. My dad was into it and my family has always been big sports fans.”

The varsity quarterback patterns his play after Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators. He says he admires Tebow’s athleticism as well as his faith.

“Tim’s got such a strong faith and it’s evident on as well as off the field,” Endicott said. “He’s vocal with the media as far as his faith and so God has placed him in a spot where he can be an example to athletes and everyone in the nation. He also plays with a level of toughness that you don’t see from many quarterbacks and I try to model my play after him.”

In the fourth game of his sophomore year vs. Fowler, Endicott completed nearly 70% of his passes and led the Eagles to a tie with the Redcats, 17-17. But just two weeks later, he took a hit that broke his collarbone, ending his season.

However, the next week at youth group, friends laid hands on Endicott while praying for the healing of the injury. Following the prayer, he was able to raise his arm in the air; a miracle according to those present.

“God moved in that he let me know in whatever situation he’s there for me and that he desires the best for me,” Endicott said. “For me it wasn’t that important to play those last four games, but to grow closer to him and prepare for the next few years. It is definitely something that has impacted me in sports as well as in life.”

Though at first glance, the injury seemed detrimental to his high school athletic career, Endicott says it motivated him to make some key changes. When he was cleared to play, he claims he came out driven to work harder both on the practice field and in the weight room.

“Coach [Mick] Fuller has definitely pushed me in the weight room as well as coach [Bonner] Cunnings,” Endicott said. “Both of them have also helped me with leadership. They have also talked to our whole team about our faith, helped us stay consistent, and pushed us in certain areas. They have helped me get stronger not only as a player but also in my faith.”

Endicott has attended every single team practice for the 2009 season and has put in consistent effort, according to head coach Cunnings.

“Riley has proven a willingness to be a vocal leader on and off the field, which has improved his value as the starting quarterback,” Cunnings said. “He has consistently given his all every training session and never once missed a practice in 10 weeks of summer. What more could a coaching staff ask of a senior?”

Endicott’s effort and enthusiasm have impacted teammates as well as coaches.

“He takes all aspects of his life pretty seriously,” senior Julio Ibarra said. “In football, he does all the necessary work. He not only does work at practice, he does stuff on his own. He does lots of extra work that coach doesn’t demand of us. You can tell he takes his school work very seriously as well.”

With practices running from 2:30 until 5:30 p.m. every day, Endicott holds a goal of staying mentally in the game. His youth paster and mentor Chad Johnson has guided Endicott in his quest to improve as a quarterback, and with his mental game. According to Johnson, “20% of what a player practices produces 80% of what he does on the field.”

“Chad’s saying that you’ll go through the motions every day at practice,” Endicott said. “But it’s the 20% that you’re mentally focused and concentrating on getting better in a certain area that makes you what you are on the field. It takes a conscious effort to stay mentally focused. I try to always know my assignment and always make an effort to get better.”

Endicott says weekly Bible studies and fellowship with friends at church help him stay close to God throughout the football season.

“Football is very demanding physically and mentally,” Endicott said. “If you start to break down in those areas, then spiritually you can suffer. Going to church refreshes me and keeps me close to God and staying consistent with him. When I’m refreshed spiritually, the mental and physical aspects fall into place.”

Endicott says friendships and support of Christian teammates off the field have helped him stay balanced.

“The biggest thing teammates can do for each other besides pushing each other in the weight room and at practice is praying for each other,” Endicott said. “We pray for each other at church as well as keeping each other accountable off the field.”

When not calling plays for the Eagles’ offense, Endicott finds time to accomplish his school work and currently holds the top cumulative GPA of all senior males at 4.27.

“Riley exemplifies what a Fresno Chrisitan football player is all about,” Cunnings said. “His commitment to academics is evident by his four-point-plus GPA. His attention to details especially when assisting younger players has given the coaching staff someone to turn to when a positive example is needed.”

After daily practices and conditioning on top of AP and honors classes, he uses weekends to catch up on sleep, finish homework, relax, attend church, and hang out with friends.

“I owe most of the credit to my teammates as far as success goes,” Endicott said. “My family is also very supportive of all that I do. They are always encouraging me and pushing me to do my best. But most of all I am blessed by God to be able to do what I do.”

The Eagles will take the field for their first regular season game against Stoneridge Christian at Clark Intermediate in Clovis, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. For more information check out the Football sport shorts.

Riley Endicott Returns as Eagle QB from Tyler Duerr on Vimeo.

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