As a junior, one Elizabeth High School football player has taken the leadership roll seriously and is working to change the future of the Cardinal football team.

Suiting up on varsity since his freshman year, Brad Goldsberry’s real love for the game of football began his first year of high school. Before, he played mostly for fun. But after realizing he had a role on his high school team he started to take football more seriously.

Goldsberry plays running back and wide receiver on offense and linebacker on defense. He and eight other juniors play important roles on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Because of only four seniors this year, the junior class has stepped up to the plate, Goldsberry being a key leader.

“As a junior class we want to make a difference on the team and in the school,” Goldsberry said. “This year there is a lot of stress on our class, not necessarily because Coach Cline wants it like that, but because there are so many juniors and not very many seniors.”

In the past, team captains have traditionally been seniors, but this year Goldsberry and a couple other juniors have been captains. Goldsberry is honored to be a captain and take on the role of leading his team before games.

“Since a freshman I always watched the seniors be captains, but this year it felt cool to do something no one in the past has ever really been able to do,” he said.

Goldsberry’s leadership role started during the offseason. He made the decision early that the Cardinal football team would be different and more successful this year, and the changes needed to start during the offseason. He dedicated himself to lifting and working out everyday during the summer, but also worked to bring in other players, too.

“A problem I felt in previous classes is they didn’t want to put in the work in the offseason,” he said. “So me and a couple other guys lead by example and started to get other guys in the gym every day, too. We made a big improvement.”

High energy and enthusiasm is another strategy Goldsberry hopes will keep the team on a successful track. He is constantly yelling and being loud with encouragement toward his fellow players, which usually rubs off on his teammates.

“I have found even if you’re not having fun but you’re being loud and yelling you end up having a good time,” he said. “The two kind of correlate together.”

Football also has taught Goldsberry a valuable lesson, one he can use for the rest of his life.

“I am a very independent person, so it has been a learning experience for me in football to rely on my teammates, that they can get the job done,” he said. “It’s not all on my shoulders. That is the number one lesson I have learned.”

Overall his goal for the team is to make it far in the playoffs and along the way earn all-conference honor. But his main goal is simple: to be the best leader he can be.

“I have noticed in games when I am not the best leader I’m capable of, the team is just dragged down,” he said. “I just want to be the best influence and the best leader bringing everyone together.”