Raphael Hamilton, Football

Most third graders can “barely run without falling” or are “out on the playground”, but Raph Hamilton was out on the football field. Starting his career off with the Iowa City East (ICE) football league in 3rd grade, he experimented with being lineman, fullback, and linebacker before moving to quarterback in 7th grade. This year, Hamilton played quarterback on the combined freshman-sophomore squad.

“I’ve been learning a lot from the older guys. My best decisions this year were to hand off the ball to Tonka Hickman who had something like 25 rushing touchdowns behind great blocking from our line.”

Hamilton played City High baseball over the summer and is looking forward to basketball and track later this year. One of his favorite parts about sports, and football in general, is the team environment.

“We’ve been through a lot as a team, and it’s great to pick each other up after a tough game, and share each other’s successes.  It’s not possible to be successful as an individual in football unless everyone on the team buys in and does his job.  We started to come together as a team this year and to see a little bit of success.”

Hamilton is willing to put in the work necessary to build off of that glimpse of success for future seasons.

“Over the next year, I’d like to get bigger, faster, and stronger, and improve my decision making.  Since our numbers are down, I’d also like to recruit a few more guys to join us next year.”

A regular attendee of City High football games since he was four years old, Hamilton has bled red and white since a young age.

“It’s a special atmosphere on Bates Field under the lights with the marching band and all the fans, and it’s a privilege to represent City High and get a chance to play there.”

Despite the varsity team’s 2-7 record this season, Hamilton has high hopes for the City High Football program in the upcoming years.

“I’d like to dirty up Liberty High’s shiny new uniforms and admire the Boot in the City High trophy case for the next three years.  I think that if we stick together as a team and work hard that we have a chance to be competing for State Championships.”