The Brother Rice Warriors are off to a good start this season after beating Utica Eisenhower 7-0 at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic this weekend. One of the players that had an excellent performance was Luke Newman who says it was a good team win for the program. “We’re off to a hot start right now, beating a perennial powerhouse like Utica Eisenhower was a huge win for our program and this season. Now we have much-needed momentum heading into week 2,” Newman said.
Coming into the season, the pressure was on Brother Rice after two early exits in the playoffs the last two years, and Newman said expectations are high. “I think the expectations are high coming into the year. We will be playing with a chip on our shoulder, but we have experienced leadership and athleticism on this team. I feel like this year is going to be special,” Newman stated.
Going to a school like Brother Rice means a lot to him, and he would not trade the experience for anything else. “It means the world to me, never a doubt in my mind I made the right choice with Brother Rice. From an individual standpoint, Brother Rice has always been very supportive to me and has molded me into the young man I am today. It is amazing to be raised in an atmosphere of rich tradition and success,” Kelbert mentioned.
Newman is a left tackle and a defensive tackle for the Warriors and says he is excited about the challenges he has playing both sides of the ball. “It’s inspiring and an honor to contribute on both sides of the ball, especially in a competitive atmosphere at Brother Rice. Playing on both sides is a tremendous honor to me. Gaining perspective on both sides of the ball in a huge game is important,” Newman commented.
Before the season Newman announced that he would be continuing his football career at Holy Cross and Newman is excited about the next step in his football career. “It’s an unbelievable honor to be going to a school with such a rich tradition and successful history. Brother Rice delivers a very high caliber education as well,” Newman said.
Football has taught Newman a lot during his time at Brother Rice, and they will be lessons that he will carry for the rest of his life. “Football has had a strong influence on developing my work ethic, discipline and being able to grow as a leader on and off the field,” added Newman.
Newman will miss a lot about high school football at Rice, but the most significant thing he will miss is the teammates and coaches that mean so much to him. “I’ll miss my teammates and coaches who have all helped me into the player that I am today and just the atmosphere of playing in a high school game,” Newman said.