ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tommy Darrow

Tommy Darrow is getting attention for his success at Windermere Preparatory School as the middle-school football team’s quarterback. In the Lakers’ Sept. 26 game against Ocala Christian Academy, Darrow threw for 200 yards and six touchdowns. The team won 48-0.

How were you able to have that much success against Ocala Christian Academy?

It’s been building up all year. First game, four (touchdowns), next game, five, and then I got six. It really helps a lot that we have an offensive coordinator, and he loves to pick apart the defense. And we have great guys on the outside. They make big plays and they help me do my job.

How long have you been the quarterback?

Since last year, my seventh-grade year. I was the backup in sixth grade — much smaller then. But seventh grade, I was able to make some plays too, but this year is really a great highlight for me. 

What’s your hope for the rest of the season?

(To) remain undefeated and go into the championship against what I think will be another undefeated team (Lake Highland Preparatory School) and win. 

What are your plans for high school football?

I’d love to go as far as I can go. We have a great quarterback (Parker Davis) right now. He’s a senior for varsity. He’ll be moving on to college, and as of now, the backup quarterback is actually my older brother (Mitchell). I’d love to compete with him. He’s mostly a linebacker but can do the quarterback spot, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens my freshman-sophomore year at the spot at quarterback. 

What’s it like playing both football and lacrosse?

They are in different seasons, but they’re great. Lacrosse helps me with field speed and a lot of other things. I mean, finding relations between sports is very important, and I find football is my main focus, even though I’m going to be playing lacrosse this year too, which will be great for me.

What’s your favorite thing about playing football?

Every down is just amazing. It’s always a fight. It’s the best team sport there is. You know that you’re in it with your brothers, and everybody is just working toward a common goal. And everybody wants it as bad as you do.

How do you like to gear yourself up for a game?

A lot of my friends, they like to pump each other up, they like to be a little silly an hour before the game. But once it’s an hour before the game, I usually turn on my headphones. I go through all the plays. If I’m not talking to my coach, I’m reviewing them in my head. I’m envisioning everything. As my coach says, your body can only go where your mind has already been. 

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Social studies, because this year we’re learning about American history. I’ve just been a freak about it, and I love it. Everything’s so interesting — I love America. I mean, I love learning about how we came to be what we are now. 

That’s a big part of it.

If you could go out to one place for dinner tonight, where would you go?

I actually went there last night. I went to the Aji, the Hibachi place. I love it. I love the fried rice. I love the steak and the chicken. Everything about it is just amazing there.

Have you seen any good movies lately?

Lately I haven’t seen a lot of movies, but I’d love to go see “The Martian.” I’m hearing a lot of great things — it looks like it’s just a stellar movie. 

What are you looking forward to most in ninth grade?

All the challenges being the young guy. I’d like to surprise some people with my talents and my hard work. I really want to go through in the weight room, which I’ve started this year. I want to get bigger and bigger like I’ve seen my brother progress.