Fake punts in football always get the crowd back into the game. The person running the ball on the fake punt is typically never the most athletic person on the field, but when the punter is Michael Long, a junior defender for the soccer team, chances are that he can run the ball a couple of yards and get the first down.

Long has been a soccer player for the majority of his life. He joined the football team this past summer as the varsity punter. Soccer has always been his number one sport, but he says football was a fun addition to his high school life.

“My parents were both on board with it,” Long said. “My dad said it would be kind of fun and cool.”

One of the highlights of his new football experience was the fake punt, which was something that Long wanted to run the whole season. 

“When I saw that space, I was like ‘Yeah bro I’m running it,’” Long said. “I would do it again. Heck yeah, it was fun,” Long said. 

Long did not raise his hand to take the punting job.

“My soccer coach suggested it to me because I could kick the farthest,” Long said.

As a varsity defender for soccer, his kicking power translated well onto the football field. However, with joining a Texas high school football team comes a lot of practice, even for a punter.

“There were a lot of after-school and before-school,” Long said. “It kind of sucked.”

What also comes with a majority of high school students is the balance between school and extracurricular activities.

“I had to make sure I had a good schedule,” Long said.

Long had to make a schedule he was comfortable with, especially going into his junior year of high school, which is said to be the hardest year.

“I had to make sure I could get my studying in, my working out, and practicing for soccer and football,” Long said.

With the first semester wrapping up, football season is over, and we now move into the fútbol season. For Long, this means he goes back to the sport that he knows more about and has played for longer.

“Soccer is something I am more familiar with and it’s easier,” Long said.

What also comes with the transition from football to soccer is the change in coaching styles.

“Both teams want to be successful,” Long said. “Football is way more strict and soccer is just a little more laid back.”

Long now has to focus on clearing the ball downfield to our own field this time of year, instead of kicking the ball to the other team like he did in the fall.