Senior Daniel Tapusoa gets set up in his defensive stance near the ten yard line, waiting for William Chrisman to start the play. The ball snaps and the Chrisman quarterback scrambles looking for an open player to get the touchdown for the Bears. Tapusoa intercepts the ball instead and runs it back for ninety yards scoring a defensive touchdown for Fort Osage. 

Tapusoa has been playing football for 11 years and has been a part of the varsity football team for two years. He is a linebacker for the team. Tapusoa feels like being a part of the team provides a good environment.

“My favorite part about football is the family environment it provides,” Tapusoa said in a Snapchat interview. “It’s a genuine family and community outside of my own.”

Tapusoa plans on furthering his education to study sociology and play either rugby or football, but he has not committed to a college yet. Coach Quincy Tillmon believes that Daniels’ biggest accomplishment would be succeeding through tough times.

“Watching him deal with the death of a close member of his family, wanting to give up on everything, preserving while regrouping and getting his head, and most importantly his grades right so he could be able to finish his career with the boys he started the journey with,” Tillmon said in a Messenger interview. “I am beyond proud of him for that.” 

Tapusoa’s favorite thing to do on game days is listen to the pregame speech given by the coaches. Senior David Jacquez finds that Daniel was an essential part of the team. 

“Daniel is a leader on and off the field, Jacquez said in a Snapchat interview. “He helps others when they need it.He makes plays that boost the team’s morale.”

Tapusoa’s advice to younger players would be that they’re only going to get what they put in, so they should work hard now and rest when it’s all over. His favorite memory of football goes all the way back to his Pop-Warner days.

“My favorite memory of football was back in 6th grade, pop warner football, me and my boys won a national championship,” Tapusoa said over a Snapchat interview. 

After the touchdown celebration ends, the team gets set up to kick the extra point. Tapusoa runs off the field with a smile on his face.