Fall Kick Off

Last Thursday the East High football team started its season with the Fall Kick Off. James was introduced with the varsity team and got in for several plays with a little direction from his coach and teammates. James has been enjoying his upperclassman status on the football team. He told a freshman teammate, "You need a haircut."

James' coach gets him in position for the play.

A Rocky Start

After a fire destroyed Des Moines East High School's football pads, uniforms, helmets, and shoes less than a week before practice was to begin, the future of James' junior year football season looked bleak at best. When the situation couldn't look worse, support started coming in from all over the country. Amazingly, practice started as scheduled on Monday. Although James doesn't understand the severity of the circumstances, he does understand the importance of starting a football season with new cleats. This year they are scarlet, courtesy of a company in Ankeny.