Friday night will be a special one for many as it’s Senior Night for the Class of 2021’s JROTC, band, Raiderettes, cheerleaders and football. The Rider Chronicle is having a series of Q/As with the leaders of each organization this week.

Rider football’s wide receiver Nick Darcus sat down with The Rider Chronicle to discuss what playing football means to him and what his plans are after he graduates. 

Q: How long have you been in football and why have you stayed this long?

A: I’ve been in football ever since the age of six I believe, maybe younger than that. I’ve stayed in football because I’m doing something that I love and it keeps me out of trouble. 

Q: What makes football special for you? 

A: What makes football special to me is being able to play with who I call my brothers. It’s really just special for me to play alongside those guys. 

Q: What do you want to accomplish your senior year, both personally and within football? 

A: Personally, I would have to say make it out of Wichita and to be able to play football at the next level. My goal for the football team would be winning state. 

Q: What’s your favorite memory of playing football?

A: It has to be beating Lubbock-Cooper my sophomore year in the fourth round at Abilene Christian. That season alone started out going 1-4 and then bouncing back to beat a team that had beat us previously in the district that year. Being able to beat those guys was special, it was just a fun night. 

Q: What will you miss once you leave?

A: Everything. I’ll miss everything. The coaches, playing alongside my brothers, I’ll mainly miss Friday night football. 

Let's finish strong 🏈💪🏾 https://t.co/O3HtT2mb1D

— Nick Darcus Jr. (Speed Demon) (@splashking__3) September 8, 2020

Q: What have you learned as a player on the team? 

A: Other than football, just getting better. The coaches really showed us not only being a great athlete, but also being a man and growing as a man. I’ve learned a lot other than just being a student athlete. 

Q: How have you changed since your freshman year and why? 

A: I guess you can say I’ve changed a lot when it comes to maturity. You come into high school big-headed and thinking you’re above everyone, but really it’s just a whole different reality when you transfer from junior high to high school.

Q: What do you want to do after high school? Why? 

A: Pursue my dream in playing sports, whether it’s basketball or football. It’s all I’ve been doing my whole life. It’s a love I have for sports, so pursuing my dreams is something I want to do after high school. 

Q: Last message to your team. What do you want them to know? 

A: I love each and every one of them as a brother and I’ll always have their backs.