After missing last season with a knee injury Bradwell Institute's Wilson Brown says he is anxious to get back into the game as the Tigers' starting quarterback.
Brown started taking snaps as a freshman and was set to start last season when his knee gave out in the spring, shutting down his opportunity to play.
"The main way to describe that feeling was pain," he said about being sidelined. "It was painful, especially when I see the team down there and they are struggling. I felt like I could've been in playing and helping them out. But you know sitting up there in the box, I learned a lot about reading defense and stuff like that. I got the coaches aspect of it so it was beneficial."
Brown was given medical clearance and was out with the Tigers this week as the official start of football practice got under way. He said he knows he has to perform his best to maintain the Tigers' top offensive position.
"I would say there is a good amount of pressure but I've always had pressure on me," he said. "Somebody behind me is coming for me so I know I have to stay on top of my game and help the team win. If they are counting on me then I got to do what I got to do to help the team."
Brown set a personal goal for himself and said he would like to pass for 1,500 yards while throwing 8-10 touchdowns in the season.
He said he knows the Panthers play tough teams in the region but thinks the team has what it takes to go undefeated until they meet his main rival.
"Camden County is number one on my list," he said. "I feel like they are the toughest team in the region to beat."
Brown said he was mostly a running quarterback during his days playing in the recreation league but high school gave him the confidence and ability to pass the ball. Right now he says he can run and pass effectively.
"That's why I stick with quarterback because I can run or pass," he said. "Whatever the coach wants me to do."
Being a Tiger is good for now but Brown has his eyes set on another mascot.
"I've been a Bulldog fan since I was young," he said. "I'm doing very well in my grades. I have a 3.7 GPA and I'm on the honor roll and have always made good grades so that will not be a problem in getting into a school I just need to show the coaches what I can do."
Brown started taking snaps as a freshman and was set to start last season when his knee gave out in the spring, shutting down his opportunity to play.
"The main way to describe that feeling was pain," he said about being sidelined. "It was painful, especially when I see the team down there and they are struggling. I felt like I could've been in playing and helping them out. But you know sitting up there in the box, I learned a lot about reading defense and stuff like that. I got the coaches aspect of it so it was beneficial."
Brown was given medical clearance and was out with the Tigers this week as the official start of football practice got under way. He said he knows he has to perform his best to maintain the Tigers' top offensive position.
"I would say there is a good amount of pressure but I've always had pressure on me," he said. "Somebody behind me is coming for me so I know I have to stay on top of my game and help the team win. If they are counting on me then I got to do what I got to do to help the team."
Brown set a personal goal for himself and said he would like to pass for 1,500 yards while throwing 8-10 touchdowns in the season.
He said he knows the Panthers play tough teams in the region but thinks the team has what it takes to go undefeated until they meet his main rival.
"Camden County is number one on my list," he said. "I feel like they are the toughest team in the region to beat."
Brown said he was mostly a running quarterback during his days playing in the recreation league but high school gave him the confidence and ability to pass the ball. Right now he says he can run and pass effectively.
"That's why I stick with quarterback because I can run or pass," he said. "Whatever the coach wants me to do."
Being a Tiger is good for now but Brown has his eyes set on another mascot.
"I've been a Bulldog fan since I was young," he said. "I'm doing very well in my grades. I have a 3.7 GPA and I'm on the honor roll and have always made good grades so that will not be a problem in getting into a school I just need to show the coaches what I can do."