Athlete of the Week: Marlon Mack

Booker High School junior running back Marlon Mack has been playing football for five years. After the Tornadoes clinched their first win, Mack talks about his strategy for the rest of the season.

How long have you been playing football?
I started in sixth grade. My dad took me to the field.

What do you remember about your first game?
I was playing tight end. I had to block. I think I had one catch. I was nervous about contact, but after my first hit, I got over that.

When did you start playing running back?
When I moved to Sarasota from Miami. Before, I played wide receiver and tight end. I had to learn new things, like the routes and the holes, so that was the hardest part.

Booker earned its first win of the season last Friday. What was the key to the win?
We just went out there and did our jobs and had no turnovers. We work together pretty well, but sometimes we mess up.

What are you working on to improve your game?
Sometimes I struggle with holding on to the ball, but I’m working on that.

Who inspires you?
Adrian Foster and Adrian Peterson. My dad, too. He tells me to play hard every week.

What do you do to get pumped up before games?
I like to listen to music. I usually listen to hip-hop.

What is your strategy for the next game and the rest of the season?
We just need to play hard and try to get to the playoffs. We need to try to get a few more wins.