Robinson Crusoe had his pal Friday. Dragnet had Detective Joe Friday.
Every football Friday evening – each Monroe City Panthers’ snap on offense – begins with senior center Landin Friday.
The 5-10, 245-pound Friday has had a passion for football for most of his life.
“I actually started with flag football, then we started putting the pads on in the third grade,” Friday said after a recent practice. “I’ve stuck with it ever since and love the sport.”
Panthers head coach David Kirby indicated Friday possesses the intelligence required to excel at his position.
Monroe City center Landin Friday (54) prepares to snap the football to quarterback Reece Buhlig. Photo by: Paul R Evans
“He is a kid that has really done a great job of understanding what we want and learning the way that we play. He takes charge up there, that’s the big thing. He commands the offensive line, he gets everybody set up,” Kirby said.
Kirby stated Friday is well-respected by his teammates and sets a good example by demanding high standards from himself.
“We’ve had a lot of really good centers over the past 10 years, and he is up there in that mix,” Kirby said.
Monroe City’s Landin Friday blocks a Montgomery County defender. Photo by: Paul R Evans
Friday stated there are several aspects of playing center that appeal to him.
“I get to see where everybody’s at, I get to know what is going to happen, how we need to snap the ball, where I need to go, what I should do to help the quarterback,” Friday said.
Insofar as the current season is concerned, Friday indicated the team’s goals are pretty much the same as any other year, including a Clarence Cannon Conference championship and deep playoff run.
In his free time, Friday pays attention to the NFL. He mentioned the name of an All-Pro guard off the top.
“Well, Quenton Nelson is one of the big ones for the (Indianapolis) Colts. He is really a nice person to watch on the line,” Friday said.
Friday is impressed by specific players on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage, as well.
Monroe City’s center Landin Friday assists a teammate by pushing him ahead during a game at Montgomary County. Photo by: Paul R Evans
“J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, all those defensive players are really awesome to watch all the time, too,” he said.
No word on whether any of those NFL standouts are also good singers but, away from the field, Friday is a member of the MCHS choir.
He also participates in the school’s STARS program.
“I get to communicate and help the under-classmen do their work and make sure they keep good grades,” Friday said.
Friday believes his mother, Jaccie Colston, and step-father, Joe Colston, have taught him the importance of mental toughness.
“No matter how hard it takes to get to where you are going, you can always reach the goals,” Friday specifically cited.
Monroe City’s Landin Friday also on occasion plays defense. Above he is shown helping make a tackle versus Montgomary County. Photo by: Paul R Evans
“He’s going to try to give you his best effort in anything he does whether it’s in football, it’s in his personal life, it’s in the community,” Kirby said. “He’s just going to try to be a kind of stand-up pillar of a kid.”
The MO VIP incentivizes vaccination for those who have not yet been vaccinated as well as provides an opportunity for rewards for the 2.8 million Missourians who have already made the decision to be protected through vaccination.
The MO VIP incentivizes vaccination for those who have not yet been vaccinated as well as provides an opportunity for rewards for the 2.8 million Missourians who have already made the decision to be protected through vaccination.
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