5 QUICK QUESTIONS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR NUMBER (No. 26)? IS THERE A STORY BEHIND IT?

“No, not really. I just kind of got it. In middle school, I was going for 36 for football, 26 for hockey and 16 for baseball. And then they didn’t have a 36 (in football and baseball), so I went with 26 and it just stuck. It just sort of happened.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE UNIFORM COMBINATION?

“I would say the black on black is my favorite. It has that tough look — it makes us seem, I don’t know, hard-hitting. It makes us look like a bunch of tough guys out there.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY CONNECTION TO OWATONNA SPORTS?

“Well, my parents grew up in Austin, so they are from this area and played against Owatonna in sports growing up. My dad works at Federated and my mom teaches (in Owatonna). My older sister Jamie played hockey, soccer and softball and she was pretty good at all three sports. She was the captain of the hockey team and was a captain when she was a senior in college hockey. My middle sister, McKinsey, was on the dance team and was a captain, so I was busy all the time going to see their events.“

WHAT OTHER SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?

“I am also a captain on the baseball and hockey teams this year. Hockey, I’m a defenseman and in baseball I play centerfield.“

IS THERE A MEMORABLE PHRASE THAT YOU REMEMBER FROM A COACH OR AN ASSISTANT?

“The one that comes to mind if (coach) Achty: ‘Be the hammer, not the nail.’ That’s our linebacker motto — be the one laying the hit. Don’t be waiting for it.“

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Q & A WITH BLAKE DAVISON

THAT’S A GREAT PLACE TO START, WITH THOSE LINEBACKERS. TALK ABOUT HOW SPECIAL OF A GROUP YOU HAVE THIS SEASON AND HOW YOU WORK WITH (FELLOW SENIOR) BLAKE FITCHER?

“Well, me and Blake (Fitcher), we work well together. We have that chemistry. We are really good friends and have that year of varsity experience already and know what to expect from teams. We know how to be aggressive and predict what is going to happen, and that’s because we are both students of the game — we learn and anticipate. And as the ‘MIKE’ I am always looking on the sideline for the calls and we work together. Fitch is calling out the formations and the lineup. I have eyes on coach Achterkirch and get the calls out and get the blitzes. We work hand-in-hand pretty much the entire season.“

LOOKING BACK TO THIS POINT LAST YEAR, HOW MUCH HAVE YOU GROWN AS A PLAYER?

“This year, it seems like a lot of review. I know what’s going on and I can react quickly. I can pick up on things quickly. I sort of know what to expect. Last year, I was thinking more and reacting to what what happening around me, especially right away. I knew I have to compete for my spot and knew I had to pick up everything as fast as possible. This year I know a lot more about what I’m doing (and) it’s about helping the younger guys and getting them up to speed — use what I know and go fly around.“

YOU DON’T RACK UP NEARLY 100 TACKLES LIKE YOU DID LAST YEAR BY ACCIDENT. IN YOUR MIND, WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR SKILLS AS A LINEBACKER THAT HAS ALWAYED YOU TO AWAYS BE AROUND THE FOOTBALL?

“I would have to say my speed. I am not the biggest guy on the field — especially for a linebacker — but compared the o-lineman, I am quick off the ball and can get under the blocks. And I’m always swarming to the ball. That’s one of our pillars of defense. It’s communication and swarming to the ball. And once we get there, wrap up group tackle — we all have a job.”

HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE GUYS UP FRONT TO YOU AS A LINEBACKER? BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, EVERYONE HAS A JOB.

“Insanely important. That’s one of the biggest things. If our defensive line isn’t solid and soaking up blocks, Fitch and I are going to struggle. But of they can do their job, it will be so easy for us. We rely on those d-linemen so heavily.”