On any given Friday night, one of the busiest Rossford High School students is senior Michael Nawrocki.

The place-kicker for the Bulldog football team spends plenty of time on the field.

But as soon as halftime comes, he assumes his alter ego–one of the senior leaders for the marching Bulldogs.

Nawrocki can be seen hustling to strip off his jersey and shoulder pads along the sidelines. Then, clad in a maroon T-shirt and football game pants, he straps into the tenor drums to lead the percussion in its halftime performances. This is a ritual Nawrocki

This is a ritual Nawrocki has been engaged in since last year when he took over the varsity kicking position.

Friday nights are only part of his juggling act to participate in two of the school’s most notable programs.

Each week’s routine requires him to attend football practice every day after school. Then, on Mondays and Wednesdays, after football from 3 to 5:45 p.m., he changes, grabs a quick snack, and reports to band rehearsal from 6 to about 8:30 p.m.

On those nights, he said, he is usually not home before 9 p.m.

The opportunity to do both came about simply because when younger, he couldn’t choose between several activities.

“I couldn’t decide which one to do, so I found a compromise so I could do both,” Nawrocki explained. “The coaches and director have been understanding.”

The rigorous schedule admittedly leaves him worn out.

“When I’m tired from football, like if I have had to kick a lot at practice, my legs are sore. Then, I need to still be able to perform at band,” he said.

Yet in some ways, his busy schedule has lessened the last two years. As a freshman and sophomore, he also was involved in soccer.

“Back then, I would go to football for about an hour, and then I would get a ride with Jackson Murtha to soccer, and then my parents would pick me up and take me to band for rehearsal nights,” said Nawrocki, who admits doing all three was overwhelming.

At that time, he wasn’t kicking on Friday nights, though, but instead Saturday mornings for the JV football team.

Now, his regimen is noticeable because it takes place under the Friday night lights.

In addition to a wardrobe change, he has to make some other adjustments.

A fellow band member carries his drums down to the field and back up after the halftime performance.

While performing during halftime, he misses Coach Todd Drusback’s halftime speeches and any team adjustments. Instead, he remains on the field and dons his shoulder pads. Afterward, the coaching staff updates him on plans for the second half.

“Michael is extremely dedicated,” Coach Drusback said. “He works really hard at what he does. He has an outstanding work ethic, and he’s highly competitive.”

Drusback emphasized Nawrocki’s importance to the team.

“Kicking is really important,” the coach said. “We’ve had a string of good kickers since Hector Aguirre a few years ago. Michael benefited from being able to learn from Jackson Murtha, who had a good senior season. Now, Michael has done a good job of being an example to Jonah Shafer, who’s coming up. Michael’s an incredible kid.”

Nawrocki, who also carries a 3.74 grade point average, has been kicking the football since third grade.

His stint with the Rossford music department began in sixth grade playing the trumpet, switching to percussion as a seventh grader. Now he plays the tenor drums–a set of six that weigh about 40 pounds.

While pulling double duty on Friday nights presents certain mental and physical challenges, Nawrocki can’t think of a better way to represent his school.

“It’s all worth it in the end,” he said, “because I get to hang out with friends in both programs.”