As the crowd roars under the Friday night lights, quarterback sophomore Jimmy Lagios takes the field. With last season being his first year playing tackle football, Lagios’ quick rise to success is nothing short of impressive.
The 6’0’’, 180 pound quarterback has started off the season strong with top stats of 1172 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, an average of 167 yards per game and 73 completions as of Oct. 19. Lagios is ranked number one for passing yards in NCS division six.
“He’s been putting in the work all day every day trying to get better, trying to improve and I think he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves,” varsity lineman senior Will Richardson said.
Richardson isn’t the only one recognizing Lagios’ hard work. Just four weeks into the season, Lagios was recognized in the top ten of NCS passing leaders.
“I was really surprised when I heard that,” Lagios said. “I was really excited, I didn’t even know I was up there.”
Varsity lineman senior Fischer Veltri said Lagios’ NCS ranking is very impressive for a sophomore, and that Lagios’ presence positively impacts the team.
With this being Lagios’ first year on varsity, the pressure is on. However Lagios said it doesn’t get to him as much as he thought it would.
“He has an innate feel for the game. Nothing really bothers him, even when he’s made a mistake in games, he’s on to the next play,” PHS football coach Jordan Seiden said. “He doesn’t hold on to things, which in football can really hold you back from being able to progress on to the next play,”
Seiden said Lagios is incredibly dedicated.
“He wants to be good. I take that back. He wants to be great,” Seiden said.
Veltri said Lagios’ dedication and mentality also comes through in his attitude at practice.
“There’s never a practice or game where he’s down or anything. He’s always very energetic, but he still stays focused and keeps us on track,” Veltri said.
Lagios said he has high hopes for his future in football.
“Hopefully I can get some offers and play in college,” Lagios said. “That would be the goal of mine.”
Seiden said he doesn’t doubt Lagios’ future in football.
“The sky is truly the limit,” Seiden said “I always tell him whatever you put into it is what you get out of it.”
The Highlanders play Washington High School on Oct. 24. They then go on to play Kennedy High School on Halloween, where students are encouraged to participate in Piedmont’s Halloween costume contest. After Kennedy, Piedmont will face Newark Memorial High School on Nov. 7. The team is ranked 598 in California this year.