Being a high school student can be difficult, whether that’s dealing with academics, sports, clubs or extracurricular activities. Because of this, most high school athletes stick to one sport per season. 

But unlike most others, sophomore Grant Snowden has challenged himself by playing both football and soccer during the same season at Manhattan High School. 

Snowden has been playing soccer since he was four years old.

“[I love] just the game itself,” Snowden said. 

“It’s  really fun playing with all the guys getting to know them. Frank [Alonso, former soccer coach] is the reason that I have a strong love and passion for the game,” Snowden said.

Alonso coached Snowden and many other soccer players in the Manhattan community for 20 years. For many of those years, he was the head coach of the MHS boys soccer team. Alonso passed away in November of 2018 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Alonso’s death hit the soccer community hard, especially those, like Snowden, who had been playing with him since a young age. Alonso became a friend and a mentor to the players he had coached for years.  

“Watching the soccer community come together and support one another and fight for Frank last season was really special,” Snowden said.

Snowden plays on the MHS boys Junior Varsity soccer team at the forward position. He has had 20 career goals over the span of two seasons.

While Snowden was playing soccer during his freshman year, he also became the starting kicker for the MHS J.V. football team. This year, as a sophomore, Snowden is the starting kicker for the Varsity football team.

“A friend challenged me [to] a field goal last year and when I made it, I knew this was something I’d want to try, and now I love it,” Snowden said.

Snowden has been a big contributor to the football team’s success this year making 50/51 point after attempts, and going one of four on field goals so far this season. Snowden’s one made field goal came in the Junction City game on Oct. 10 in which his 38-yard field goal won the game and brought the silver trophy back to MHS.

 There is no doubt that being a dual sport athlete in high school will have its challenges, dealing with both sports, school and any other responsibilities.

“Taking a chunk out of my day and dedicating it to homework and studying helps a lot,” Snowden said. “Just have to remember its a student-athlete,” Snowden said.