NC quarterback stays focused on next play
If this were a story about North Central senior quarterback Aaron Robinson’s statistics, you might not read any further. The Indians are 0-6, after all, and Robinson has been intercepted 10 times while passing for only two touchdowns.
But when it comes to statistics that count, it’s not much of a stretch to say that Robinson, a two-sport letterman, is practically undefeated.
Take the number 12, for instance. That’s the number of hours he puts in during an average day, beginning with a 6 a.m. seminary class, followed by 7 a.m. jazz choir at NC, a full load of academic courses and then football practice, wrapping up his day shortly before 6 p.m.
He’ll take the winter off to get ready for baseball in the spring, but “time off” for Robinson will include hitting and lifting sessions to prepare for his work in the NC outfield, where he served in a reserve role last season but hopes to start this season.
“They’re long days, and it’s tough,” he said, “but I try to get to bed early. I’ve tried to use every minute of high school.”
Robinson is realistic about his football career at NC: “We haven’t had a strong season, and a .500 record my sophomore season on JV is about my best so far.”
But he doesn’t let that get him down.
“I feel like every game is an opportunity to beat someone,” he said. “Every game this year, we’ve had the talent to win, but we just haven’t done it.
“My job as a senior and quarterback is to try to keep the guys going and keep their spirits high. I remind them that the scoreboard doesn’t always reflect how we’re playing and try to keep ‘em motivated.
“Coach (Grady) Emmerson always says that most games will be decided by four or five plays, and that we need to play every play like it’s one of those four or five.”
Robinson’s commitment has meant a lot to Emmerson, whose Indians continue to struggle during his second season as head coach. Robinson’s leadership, he believes, is one of the keys to his team’s attitude that their elusive first victory is just around the corner.
“We just don’t have anyone with a woe-is-me attitude on the team,” Emmerson said. “Instead, we have a lot of guys who feel like they can make a difference, and it’s huge to have someone like Aaron on the field. He never gives up; he’s never down and out.”
Indeed, when Robinson talks about the season, he spends only a moment on the Indians’ 0-6 start. Instead, he’s focused on the rest of the season, three Greater Spokane League contests and a crossover game with a Big 14 team.
And after a 21-for-25, 208-yard passing performance against University last Friday, he has reason for some optimism.
Robinson’s prominent role on the gridiron is remarkable considering that he didn’t begin playing seriously until eighth grade, although he notes that his career began as an undersized fifth-grade wide receiver.
He’s been singing longer than that, beginning in Sunday school and then, more formally, when he got to middle school. He comes from a musical family that also has been supportive of North Central and NC athletics, win or lose.
So while it’s always nice for athletes and coaches to add up victories, Robinson has learned – and helped teach his teammates – that adding them up off the field also has its rewards.