It’s been four years since senior Connor Gallagher started playing tackle football. Before then, he wasn’t even allowed to take part in the sport. Now, Gallagher has been the starting quarterback, caught crucial touchdowns and has made numerous essential plays on both sides of the ball on the varsity football team. All of this has led to Gallagher earning a trip to the next level to play football at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Getting the chance to play football at the Division II level is one of the biggest factors that went into Gallagher choosing William Jewell.

“It’s humbling,” Gallagher said. “Having put in all of the hard work, like they say the ‘blood, sweat and tears,’ having been in the weight room 24/7 and going out to football practice in 105 degree weather and practicing for three hours. I’m happy and excited seeing it pay off.”

Each practice, even if it was in the blistering heat or for three grueling hours, was worth it in the end for Gallagher. They have all helped him prepare for the college game in many different ways, some helping his time-management skills to go along with becoming a better player overall. The past four years of playing for FHN have assisted Gallagher in becoming the person and the athlete that he is required to be to have a strong college career, which he will always appreciate.

“[Playing for FHN] has meant a lot,” Gallagher said. “I was always excited to play. When I came in freshman year, to finally have that jersey and to finally have Knights on the front of it meant a lot to me. I was always out there to make sure the team was above me.”

Gallagher has embraced a team-first attitude in every year that he’s played for FHN. Some of his favorite moments from playing football for the Knights aren’t just his touchdowns or individual plays, but things that his team has done as a whole.

“[My favorite moment] is when the team came together and played as one,” Gallagher said. “It’s always great to have a teammate or myself score a touchdown or make an interception, something that padded your own stats, but I think the way we got to that point to get that personal stat was because we worked together to give you that boost of numbers on the paper.”

Heading to the next level, Gallagher knows that it will be much more challenging than high school football. As a result, he must dedicate the time and effort into continuing to improve as an athlete and as a person.

“I’m ready to go,” Gallagher said. “I know I’m not going to be the strongest when I go in there. I know I’m not going to be the smartest. I understand that I have to put a lot of work in to achieve my own goals and hopefully bring my college team a few more wins under their belt.”