AUGUST 25, 2010

Meet the Football Falcon seniors …

Were Nic (for “Nicolas”) Erickson an officer in the U.S. Navy instead of a Football Falcon, I might title him SOPA (“Senior Officer Present Ashore”). No, not senior in age (he won’t turn 18 until April 2, 2011), but in the number  of organized football seasons he’s played, this 2010 season being Nic’s thirteenth! Little boys growing up in Texas (Nic lived in Dallas from age 4 to 12, when the Ericksons moved to The Valley) take football seriously. Nic first played “flag” football at age four.

Thirteen seasons: that’s a lot of football.  What’s kept Creekers Bob & Teresa’s only son (daughter Lexi [CSHS ‘09] is a rising sophomore at ASU) going? Nic answers candidly, “The fun of playing football as a team. Really, just having fun. When you’re having fun,  you play a lot better.”

Nic Erickson is proud to be a “Bradshaw Bad-Ass” defender,  letter-ing his sophomore and junior seasons, primarily at free safety and linebacker. This season, he’s a probable starter at outside linebacker.

Defensive Coordinator Matt Bradshaw : “Nic plays smart, tough and consistent. You know he’s going to give you his best on every play.”

Coach Bradshaw’s  evaluation is reflected in the simplicity of Nic’s personal football goals: “Do my job at whatever  position Coach Brad-shaw wants me to play. As a senior, I want to lead by example, always trying my hardest to inspire our underclassmen to do the same.”

Thus far, his favorite Falcon memories? “Last season, winning Home-coming against Paradise Valley, then being the only team to beat Saguaro at their house. Those two games were awesome!”

How far can the ’10 Falcons go? “We definitely have the personnel, especially the size of both our lines. It’s all up to us…how much we want it.”  At 5’7”, 170 lbs., Nic Erickson has more than proved that he “wants it.”

Nic’s a 3.3 GPA student, History and Science his favorite subjects. He enjoys snowboarding,  especially in Durango, CO  as the guest of teammate Will Bowers.
He’s looking  to stay in-state for college, probably ASU or U of A.  Football at the next level? “Nah, 13 seasons is enough. I may try to play rugby with one of the local clubs.”

Nic Erickson, you’ve paid your football “dues” -- and then some. Here’s hoping that the 2010 season, your last, will be your most satisfying ever. 

-Pete Mohr