Senior center Joshua Dahan (67) grew up as a major sports fan and decided at eight years old to join his first football team. Nine years later, Dahan remains passionate about his sport and hopes to continue to play in his collegiate future. After joining the NC football program his freshman year and playing four years on the team, Dahan plans to end his high school career with a bang.
As a center, Dahan works to snap the ball to the quarterback to begin every play powerfully. Since he resides in the middle of the offensive line and has maintained a clear view of the entire defense, Dahan also assists the team by maintaining communication through protection calls and helping with position adjustments to block the opposing team. The center serves a crucial role on the field as it holds numerous jobs throughout a single game, which leads to high physical and mental demands. Dahan overcomes these demands every practice and game through hard work and determination, subsequently helping to strengthen the team.
The NC football team (1-1) prides itself on creating a strong, well-prepared team for each game through practice and conditioning. The team’s high performance level in the 6A Division has led friends and families to bustle at every game, home or away. The fan base builds the atmosphere for the team, and Dahan appreciates the commitment and support they provide, as the cheers bring motivation to the team. Dahan hopes that the student section and stands will stick with the team this year, win or lose, during this difficult season.
“One thing that’s difficult about football is really just the judgment we get from people about losing, especially during the second round of playoffs last year. The team works extremely hard to do their best every single night, and even though winning is our goal, sometimes it doesn’t work out. The team is like family to me, and I hope we have a positive season for my last year,” Dahan said.
Outside of football, Dahan joined the NC wrestling team last year and plans to compete again for a final year. As a new wrestler, Dahan feels dedicated and works extra hard to learn techniques and skills, which led him to swing and wrestle for both varsity and junior varsity (JV) during his first year playing the sport. Although wrestling, a solo sport, proves extremely different to football, Dahan utilizes his conditioning and mentorship from football during his wrestling season.
Dahan’s teammates and classmates look up not only to his skills on the field, but his ability to manage his school workload and two sports. With experience in the magnet program during his freshman and sophomore years, Dahan maintains a rigorous schedule in class and still attends practice daily. Since he plays two back-to-back sports, Dahan’s fall semester proves difficult with practices from August to December and weekends filled with training or winter wrestling meets. Dahan works to put his education first, allowing him to preserve his high grades and near-perfect attendance.
“I have had many classes with Josh, and even though he plays two sports, he always manages to keep up with his work. I love watching Josh on the field because he tries his best every game, and you can see it in his aggression. I can’t wait to watch him in his last season this year,” senior Shiv Tanti said.
Dahan hopes to finish this season helping his football team advance to the playoffs once again. Throughout this season, Dahan aims to continue growing as a player and build lasting memories with the NC football team. He hopes to gain the chance to play football at a college level and will take the skills he learned from NC football both on and off the field with him as he finishes high school and enters his next chapter.
The Chant wishes Dahan a strong last year on the NC football and wrestling team and good luck in his future.
