WESTCHESTER — St. Joseph head football coach Anthony Griffin talks highly of his team while noting the progress he’s seen this season.
“Every day is about getting better,” Griffin said. “Right now we are on track to have the best season in my four years as head coach.”
Griffin has seen his team add a victory to their record every season. The Chargers finished 2-7 last year and already own a pair of wins through the first six weeks of the season. While Friday’s game with St. Rita (5-1) will be a tough one, the Chargers wrap up with DePaul Prep (3-3) and Hales Franciscan (4-2).
Griffin attributes the growth to players who lead by example and push their teammates to a new level.
One is senior running back Elijah Davis. In his third year on the varsity, Griffin said Davis is the type of guy you want to lead your football team.
He is an all-around athlete who runs routes as the team’s No. 1 running back and lately has been filling in at quarterback. He plunged over for the Chargers’ lone touchdown Friday during a 49-7 loss to Montini.
As the oldest of the household, he said that his parents look to him to be an example for his younger brothers and set the bar high.
“By being taught to lead my younger brothers, I am also taught to come out here on the football field and do what I can for my team,” Davis said.
He continues to set that example when the football season is over. That’s when he puts all of his focus on his academics so that he can continue to play the sport he loves.
He was nominated for the Posse Scholarship for his work in the classroom as well as on the field. Only 2,500 students across the nation are put up for the honor for being leaders in their community.
Junior Armone Elem, another player who Griffin considers a leader on the Chargers, says Davis is a special type of person who deserves the honor.
“He is a great leader. He is always telling us to never quit because you never know who is watching,” Elem said.
Looking toward the future, Davis says he is hoping to continue playing football at the collegiate level next year, but wouldn’t mind a break, either.
“I love swimming and traveling,” he said. “My favorite trip was to the Wisconsin Dells, I wouldn’t mind going back there sometime soon.”
