Three sophomore members of the Roosevelt junior varsity football team are hoping that their execution of plays in games this season will give them valuable experience.  Quarterback David Rasmussen, tight end Levi Key and defensive back Jarin Jay all says they come to practice every day with aspirations of moving up to the varsity team next season.
 
Playing the quarterback position for Roosevelt is a dream of mine,” said Rasmussen.
 
“I simply just enjoy playing the game, but I do wish to one day play varsity football,” said Key.

“Every practice session I work hard because I really want to play on the next level,” said Jay.
 
Roosevelt junior varsity coach Bryan Miyamoto says the JV program provides an opportunity for the younger players to acquire real game experience and to prove that they deserve a shot at playing on the varsity team.
 
“Our players work hard at practice in an effort to build up their skill level. Playing JV ball is the normal route for ninth graders and sophomores to get game experience to prepare them for the rougher competition,” Miyamoto said.
 
“Of course part of the preparation is to get them to realize that if they want to play then they must do well in the classroom. This early training helps them get adjusted to structuring a schedule of workouts and after school studying. They will find that as they move along in their school work that the rigors of playing high school football can be challenging,” Miyamoto said.
 
Typically, playing in JV games is far less pressing than varsity games, but Miyamoto says the desire to move up to the varsity team is what motivates his players to show up at practices ready to work on improving on the fundamentals of football.
 
“Even though many of our JV players just recently played Pee Wee football, they quickly discover that as they compete against older players that they must execute plays properly or they will fall flat,” Miyamoto explained.
 
This past summer Rasmussen says he would wake up every day gearing himself to practice strengthening his throwing skills.
 
“During the summer months I worked out almost every day, practicing my throws and trying to figure out the various defensive schemes that I will be facing,” Rasmussen said.
 
“Most of my teammates live pretty close to my home so we would get together on most days to work on passing plays. And on weekends my dad and I would work on my throwing so I could increase my knowledge on the various types of passes which a quarterback can throw,” Rasmussen added. “This helps me get accustomed to playing against coverage defenses and to improve on my timing.”
 
Key said he spent most of his summer working on strengthening his body.  “I spent a lot of time this summer just trying to get stronger. I know that in the long run this conditioning will help me become a better blocker and give me the endurance to play tough in the final minutes of a game,” Key said.  “Playing tight end gives me a chance to catch passes. I know that if I keep working on my catching then hopefully when I move up to the varsity team I will get a chance to play wide receiver,” Key said. “I know that Chad Owens played here at Roosevelt so I have to keep the faith and strive every day towards getting better.”
 
Owens started his high school career on Roosevelt’s JV team and later went on to play for the University of Hawaii football team and in the National Football League.
 
Jay echoed Key’s comments about conditioning, but also said that he is striving to do well in the classroom what the hope of one day playing in college.
 
“Mainly this summer I worked on my speed. But since the school year started I’ve been trying to get a good start in my school work to keep my grades up,” Jay said.
 
“Being one of the captains on this team I know that I must set a good example. And I know I must be a leader in the classroom as well as on the field. One of my future goals is to build myself up so I can have a shot at playing college ball,” Jay added.
 
The JV team plays in the Oahu Interscholastic Red Division.