The Star wide receiver at Kearns High School, Lamoni Matua, gives a deeper insight into his life on and off the field, while being both a junior in high school and a starter in football. How does Lamoni keep his two worlds from becoming overwhelming?
This is what he was asked in September 2023. Lamoni first started playing 8 years ago and expresses how his brother is his inspiration. As a result, following his dream has brought him to the present moment, a junior with a starting position on his school’s football team. He was asked if playing has affected his grades. He said, “It makes them better because we are encouraged to do better in school so we will be able to play.” Football has made a positive impact on him and has become a motivation for him.
In addition, Lamoni was also asked about his social life. Does not having time to make friends impact your ability to socialize? He responded with, ”No, if anything it makes it better because you are forced to talk to people, which you become friends with.” Playing for 8 years has expanded his social life, giving him the opportunity to meet new people.
Although football has its pros for Lamoni, it also has its cons. For instance, he explains that the reality of football may include injuries. Doing outside of school activities could be difficult for players, ”A little bit, you just have to be short, and you can’t risk your body.” Getting injured can be tough to come back from, but it can be done because he did it. “It’s stressful. I didn’t think I would be able to play as well as I used to.” But now Lamoni is playing better than he ever has.
Lamoni was also asked if he felt any pressure this school year to do well. Not only in school academically, but also to do well on the field. In hopes of getting noticed by college recruits, he responded, “Of course, junior year is the most important. You have all eyes on you so naturally you are going to feel some pressure to perform your best to try and get noticed.” And how does Lamoni deal with all the stress from football and school? Well, he states that, “Whenever you are at school you have to be there mentally and put in the work when you receive an assignment. To get it done on the spot, so you don’t have to worry about it later.” To sum up Lamoni’s life on and off the field, those were some of the trials and tribulations he had to face.