2023 Player Spotlight/Interview with Russ Osborne from Shelby Valley High School

Name- Russ Osborne

Class- 2024

School- Shelby Valley HS

Positions played- QB/DB

In looking back at the 2022 season, what were the high and low points?

The high points of my 2022 season were winning the district championship with my team and being out there with them every Friday night. The low points of my 2022 season were breaking my collarbone in the second round of the playoffs and not being able to play in the regional championship.

Staying with the 2022 season theme, what will you remember the most?

I will never forget always having a good time in the locker room with my wonderful teammates. We created so many memories together and I will never forget the bond we have with each other. It’s truly something I love being a part of and will never take it for granted.

Who was the best player Shelby Valley faced last season, and which team did he play for?

The best player we played was probably Xavier Campbell. He was a defensive end for Beechwood High School. He was fast, big, and had amazing football knowledge. He was probably the best player our team will ever play.

What will you miss the most about the class of 2023?

I will for sure miss having them around, but I will mostly miss their character and leader. They would always want to do the right thing for our team. They also did whatever it took to make us be successful. I also grew up with most of them and will miss being out there with them.

What are your goals entering the 2023 season?

My goals entering the 2023 season is to win the district and regional championships. I also want to be able to play at Kroger Field for a state championship. For my personal goals, I am around 2,800 yards away from 10,000 yards passing and 30 passing touchdowns away from 100 passing touchdowns, so that is something I would like to accomplish as well.

This being your final season at Shelby Valley, have you done anything differently to prepare for the season?

My teammates and I have worked harder this off-season for sure. We lost to the eventual state champion in the playoffs and we saw how fast they were, so we knew we had to become a lot quicker. We have been doing a lot more speed drills to accomplish this. I’m proud of our effort this off-season and I’ve seen us make tremendous strides each week.

Do you like playing offense or defense better? Explain.

I would rather play offense because I enjoy getting everyone involved in the play. I like being in control of the game and using my mental and physical skills to make plays for my team. I like how my teammates trust me to make those decisions and I do everything in my ability to do what’s best for my team. So, playing offense really allows me to do that and that’s why I enjoy it better.

Which game are you looking forward to the most this season? Explain.

I would say playing at Elizabethtown High School in Week 6. This is a really great program and has some good history. They’re an outstanding football team and it will be a game that we can really prove ourselves right before district play starts.

What type of defense is the hardest for you to go up against from a quarterback's perspective?

The hardest defense to go up against in my opinion is probably a 3-4. This defense can stop the run pretty easy but also makes the passing game hard as well. The key to this defense is the outside backers, which are more like hybrid players. They’re what makes playing this defense so frustrating because it seems as if they’re always flying all over the field. It’s also easy to rotate coverages in this defense, which makes it hard to identify what coverage they’re in.

What is your game-day routine?

I start by going to school and having a good day. Then, in my 7th period, I usually watch some film and stretch out. Next, I go home and eat a snack then take a little nap. I finally then head over to the field to get my mind right and go over what we need to do to win the game.

Have you heard from any colleges about playing at the next level? If so, can you share those schools with all of us?

I have heard from a few schools, but as of now, my only offer is to UPIKE.

What is the best and worst part of practice?

The best part of practice is being there with my friends and enjoying the game I love. The worst part is probably the running the hill whenever we make mistakes.

Have you watched any of the XFL games?

I have been watching some of the XFL. I enjoyed watching it and my favorite team is the St. Louis Battlehawks.

What is your favorite type of music, along with your favorite artist or group?

My favorite type of music is Country and my favorite artist is either Tyler Childers or Luke Combs.

Who is your all-time favorite athlete?

My all-time favorite athlete is Derek Jeter. I just love his game and how he always used to handle himself.