Most people start their football careers as freshmen in high school, barely making JV. However the opposite is the case for Zachary Branam, 10.
Branam decided to give football a shot in second grade, inspired by his older brother. Fortunately, he took a liking to the sport and decided to keep going. That small decision to continue led to a starting role on varsity, a strong team bond, and Branam’s favorite moment of his career: a touchdown under the Colerain lights. Branam explained that with the new coaching staff, he feels the team will be closer than ever in the upcoming season.
In the off-season, Branam stays active through basketball, baseball, and lifting, continuing to strengthen himself in every way possible. Balancing all of this with his academics has been tough on Branam, who said he is working to improve his time management skills and increase his productivity. He credits football with making him tougher and more resilient, stating that he kept striving to improve even when he didn’t get much playing time.
When asked about any superstitions, Branam said, “I don’t really have any. I usually just stick to a game day routine and follow it.” Branam’s main goals for the upcoming season are leading his team in yards and taking home a few more games this year. Looking ahead, he would like to continue either football or baseball in college.
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