DJDS Senior finishes 7-3 with GW Football as Varsity Team Captain

 

By Matan Halzel, Marketing Manager

 

When Denver Jewish Day School senior Avi Friedman laced up his cleats for the final game of his high school football career, the memories started flashing through his eyes. Avi vividly recalls during his sophomore year when his Varsity career began that the George Washington Varsity football team was a vastly different team and experience. By his senior year, Avi had become an integral part of the team and the George Washington high school culture. Avi was a senior team captain, a 2-way starter who played nearly every down, and was a crucial part of the team’s core. Avi already knows that the experiences he shared with his teammates and coaches will last him a lifetime. 

 

 

“Being able to excel at a sport in a very competitive environment, and watching our football team being able to significantly improve each season during my high school career was truly special,” said Avi. “We were this close to becoming a playoff team this season, and even though it’s a shame we didn’t make it, finishing with a 7-3 record for senior year is something that I take great pride in.”

Avi wanted to be part of a Varsity Football playoff run during his high school career, but deep down he feels that this season was an important part of a multi-step process that has led to the rejuvenation of the GW Varsity program. GW’s Varsity Football Team competes at the Class 3A level, and aside from last year’s spring season outlier playoff appearance, it has been quite some time since their last playoff appearance. Avi has made many friends and formed close bonds during the past three seasons with many different backgrounds, and he plans to keep in touch with many of the underclassmen and to keep tabs on the future of the team. 

Avi primarily started at cornerback each game this season, and also started at wide receiver at some games as well. 

One game in particular that stood out to Avi this season was a game at Monarch high school, which was Monarch’s homecoming game. Avi had a standout game while covering Monarch’s top wide receiver throughout, finishing with 8 tackles and one deflected pass. The environment was what Avi remembers the most - a signature game under the Friday night lights, with all of the fans and loud environment. Avi finished his senior season with 3 interceptions and 60 tackles, both personal career highs. 

“The bonds and relationships formed in this game are irreplaceable,” said Avi. “It doesn't matter where you come from or what your story is, we were a brotherhood. We had the ability to easily bond through our passion for football, and we wanted to win.”

 

 

Although the high school football journey for Avi is now over, Avi is very excited to begin the Varsity Basketball season at DJDS, and he’s looking forward to college and beginning the next chapter of his life. Avi knows that he will carry many lessons and experiences from the football field everywhere he goes in life.