East County Athlete of the Week: Aiden Getschow

The Lakewood Ranch High football team closed out its spring season with a 27-14 win over Lakeland George Jenkins on May 15, and linebacker Aiden Getschow played a pivotal role. The rising senior played just one half, but still made eight tackles with three tackles for a loss of yards. 

When and why did you start playing football?

I started playing in first grade, mainly because my dad pushed me into it. He played when he was younger and in college and all of that, so he wanted me to play football.

What was most memorable about this spring?

The way the team came together. We kind of changed up our program, how we approached everything and the amount of conditioning we went through. We went through a lot of hard work and I think it brought us all together and made us a better team. 

What’s your favorite all-time football memory?

Freshman year on JV we were playing Parrish, which is kind of our biggest rival. There was a huge pile, and I was on the field and I was kind of just watching it all go down. My coach at the time yelled at me and said, ‘Next time you see that happen, go in there and grab the ball.’ The very next play the same thing happened, and I went in there, grabbed the ball and ran it back for a touchdown.

What went right for you this spring?

I put in a lot of work in the offseason, and I was pretty dialed in when it came to paying attention and staying focused during practice. I was mentally locked in. 

What does your upcoming senior season mean to you?

It means everything. This has the possibility to be the last time I ever get to play football, so I’m going to leave it all on the field and do what I do best.

What’s been your most humbling moment in football? 

Last year when I got my first varsity start. I’ll never forget it. It was this play they ran and the quarterback handed the ball off and came up and threw a block on me, and I got laid out. It was kind of my ‘Welcome to varsity’ moment.

What’s your favorite meal?

I love a good seafood boil. I go to a couple of places. Sam’s Seafood is one. They make pretty good crawfish. And then Owen’s Fish Camp has a pretty good seafood boil. I also have a couple of friends who make it pretty good, too. 

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

I’m going go with the original Star Wars. I love Star Wars. It was one of my earliest memories. It was the first thing I got into. I was obsessed with it. I had all of the action figures and the Legos. I was a big nerd about it. 

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

We kind of just shuffle through a lot of songs before a game. I can’t think of one specific one that comes to mind, but we love to play ‘Skrilla’ in the tunnel. 

If you’re not playing football, what are you doing?

I’m either fishing, going to the beach, hanging out at home or hanging out with my friends.

Who’s your favorite football player and why?

My favorite football player is Caleb Williams because he’s going to take the (Chicago) Bears to greatness.

Finish this sentence. Aiden Getschow is…

Ready for this year.