wo years after graduation, Upson-Lee

product lives

his dream



By Wes McCard

editorial2@

thomastontimes.com



Determined not to follow the path of other talented athletes in past, 20-year-old Juantez Hartsfield decided to further his education after graduation, but his hopes of playing collegiate football seemed to become more of a dream than having the potential of being reality.

After graduation from Upson-Lee High School in 2008, the 6'2, 235lb native New Yorker decided to enroll at Gordon College in Barnesville.

"My grades were always pretty good," said Hartsfield. "I've just always had trouble with standardized testing, and by the time I had my test scores where they needed to be, some schools had decided to pass on me."

Hartsfield, who was named defensive lineman of the year in 2008, also excelled at linebacker and the tight-end position, earning him All-Region honors during his senior season. During his senior year with the Knights, Juantez had been contacted from several smaller schools, including schools in Georgia, North Carolina, and even New Mexico. However, his endeavors would lead him to Barnesville, where he said he never gave up hope that one day he would suit up in the pads again.

That day has come for Juantez. After training and working out for countless hours over the last two years, Hartsfield will board an airplane for the first time in his life Saturday and travel to Fresno, California. From there he will drive down the road to Coalinga, California, and enroll at West Hills Junior College, beginning his collegiate football career as a member of the West Hills Falcons.

"I'm a little nervous about being so far away from home," said Hartsfield, "but I'm more excited about the opportunity that has been placed before me. I'm so thankful for Coach Payne sending out my tapes as a senior and with some prayer, hard work, and fate, I'm now a member of a college football team. That's awesome!"

Hartsfield, who will play linebacker at West Hills, says that home will be a little closer, due to the fact that several of the team's players are from Georgia, including four players from LaGrange.

"I will be rooming with a guy from Troup County, and I know they have some players from Atlanta as well, so I should fit in just fine," said Hartsfield. "I'm just excited about the chance to play football again, and I am going to make the best of this opportunity. Im going to try my best to come in and make an impact from the start. I think I will have a leg up on some of the guys since I'm a little older than most of the players on the team."

We think you will too, Juantez. Not many players have the determination to sit out two years and still fight for their dream, and then achieve that dream. That takes the heart of a champion.