Nathaniel Tropea is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus High School for AZPreps365.com

High school is the gateway to ideas and inspiration for the youth.

Whether they get inspired by the arts, science, journalism, sports, or math, there is always an option to challenge themselves to do something that gives them passion.

Cactus senior Braiden Lagafuaina is an example of just that as his love of football has carried him to where he is now.

Lagafuaina has been playing football for his whole high school career. Playing quarterback and safety, this love and enjoyment of the game started out when he was much younger, “I’ve been playing football since I was five, so about 12 years going.”

Lagafuaina was intoduced to the game like many before him as a younger sibling.

 “Watching my brother at a young age…and just wanting to go out there and be like hm,” he said as it is what got him out on the field. “Just gotta find my own way.” 

His family relations didn’t stop at just his brother when it came to playing and watching football.

“My mom loves watching us play football…helping out with the booster club. My sister actually played football when she was in high school, and then my brother and my dad played high school when he was younger.” 

This goes to show that football can also tie a family closer together.

As his years in high school football career went on, Lagafuaina figured out one of the true outcomes of high school sports.

“In high school, it’s just growing every day," he said. "I feel like in every game there’s a learning point. Whether a win, loss, anything. I always feel like there’s something you can learn and there’s always something more you go after.”

Learning doesn’t just happen in the classrooms but on the field, court, and diamond. Lagafuaina's varsity football coach, Brain Belles, has even seen him grow in character. 

“Braiden is a leader by example," he said. "He doesn’t speak up much but when he does, his teammates listen.” 

Football isn’t just about playing to win for Lagafuaina either, because it takes growing with your team to accomplish that.

“Over the past four years, I’ve been able to create relationships with every single team,” he said. "From seniors that have gone to the new incoming freshmen.” 

Belles even understands the importance of his players forming relationships.

“We are a young team that is still learning in a number of ways but we see each other as family,” he said.

While they see their families cheering in the stands, Lagafuaina knows his family on the field depends on him and cares about him just as much. With almost halfway through his final year in high school, he is mixed on it ending.

“I’m excited to go on with my life, but I’ll miss all this a little bit,” he said. 

What Lagafuaina’s plans come after graduation is left up to him and what he wants to do.

“I always planned on playing this long It was just more about seeing if the college route and I got a few offers here, so we’ll just see after that,” he said.

As he decides on which offer he wants to accept, going to college won’t just be about playing football, it is about finding out what you want to do with your life.

“To find my major in college…it’s a big option.”, this is the problem Lagafuaina currently faces. 

While he discovers his drive in college, he knows why it’s important in the long run.

“Just finding out what my thing us to do in life that’ll be able to keep me successful to support me and my future family,” he said.

Whether football becomes his future or he finds another career, he’ll just want his future to be secured. 

As Lagafuaina mentions a future family does this mean he will keep the family tradition of football alive?

“I’m always going to encourage them (future kids) to play football…I’d want to pass it on to them," he said.

Thinking about your future in high school can be scary for some, but he doesn’t let it scare him. While worries might cross his mind, he knows his lessons from football will keep him going no matter what.

“This sport teaches you a lot of lessons that you’ll carry on in life," Lagafuaina said.