An interview with senior Varsity linebacker and athlete of the week Charlie Jensen.
What is your position and sport?
CJ: I have played Varsity football for two years and play strong safety and outside linebacker.
Do you prefer safety or outside linebacker?
CJ: It kind of depends because there is a lot of factors that go into it, but in general, I would prefer outside linebacker because it involves you in the play more.
Have you always played safety?
CJ: Actually no, I was a quarterback all growing up and during freshman year and at the beginning of sophomore year. But when Coach Delaney got there, I was not just not athletic enough to run his offense and he said he was going to put me on defense because I had played a little defense when I was younger. So they moved me to strong safety and outside linebacker and I think that was what Coach Delaney is really good at: moving people around to get the best out of their potential.
Do you play any other sports?
CJ: I have played baseball the last few years, but this year I’m just focusing on football but I am going to be a manager for the baseball team because I have a lot of friends on the team.
What is your favorite thing about football?
CJ: There is a really fun atmosphere that surrounds the sport, and it’s just the ultimate team sport.
Why do you think SME football has became so good recently?
CJ: You have to give coach Delaney the credit he deserves, he took football at east to a whole new level. And he changed the way we think about football at east, and was the energy spark that we needed.
What do you attribute your success to other than Coach Delaney?
CJ: Well you can have the best coach in the world and it only works if they buy into to what they say and the first class that had Delaney had some really outstanding guys that really set a good example for the following classes. And me and the other seniors this year are trying to emulate what they did.
What do you think someone needs to do to become a good football player?
CJ: I agree with what Coach Delaney said, [which was] You need to be out there everyday and find a way to become better everyday.
Is there anything you think you need to work on to get better this year?
CJ: I think the biggest thing is consistency for me.
How do you feel about the team so far this year?
CJ: I think we certainly have the potential to win state, and it’s just about showing up and executing.
Do you have a favorite moment of football at East?
CJ: It’s hard to beat winning a state championship last year. That was awesome. But favorite moment…God, we have had a lot of awesome moments, but I think that hail mary my sophomore year or last year’s game against Olathe North with the two point conversion are some too, but State was the peak.