Sophomore fuels Braves' ground game

Dokken Egenolf can’t remember a time when football wasn’t a passion. Or more specifically, an obsession.

He started conditioning in first grade. He played in his first organized league in third. Ever since, he either trains for football or plays it.

No other sports on his radar. Football is it.

He even watches his favorite movie, “Friday Night Lights,” every Thursday night before a game.

“I just really like playing football. There’s not a whole lot of other stuff I get into, really,” said Egenolf, a sophomore running back on the Indian Creek High School football team. “I love spending time with my family and going to church and stuff like that, but I really just lift (weights) and play football.”

Braves coach Mike Gillin has rarely, if ever, seen a single-purpose drive in a player like Egenolf’s — which is quite an observation from a head coach in his 34th varsity season, including 12 at Indian Creek.

“He did such a great job preparing himself, starting when he was in first grade. He loves football,” Gillin said. “He probably loves football as much as anybody I’ve ever coached. He’s kind of been raised to be a player, and he certainly is (one) at this young age.

“He hasn’t disappointed us one bit. I think he’ll do nothing but get better.”

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