The history of Troy football runs deep. While it has been a few years since they have been at the top of the mountain in the GWOC, the Trojans coaching staff and returning players look to make that climb back up that mountain in the fall.

One player who enjoyed a solid junior year and looks forward to making his senior season one to remember is Will Brumfield, who not only was honored as a first-team all-conference player last season, but has some big goals when the season kicks off in two months.

“I have my own personal marks that I want to hit this season,” Brumfield said. “More importantly than stats is the chance to play at the next level so that is what I am striving for individually this upcoming season.”

But while he looks forward to the individual success, he is focused on what will happen with the team as he wants to continue to make that climb.

“What I really want to see is Troy as a team succeed this year,” he said. “It has been a while since Troy has been a solid team, and this city deserves that.”

“If we can get over .500 that would be great. We were really close last year on finishing out a lot of games, we just didn’t execute when we needed to. This year, we are definitely focusing on that and we can’t take any of our opponents for granted because with the GWOC and our tough non-conference play we play some quality programs.”

Brumfield has always enjoyed sports, as he has played baseball, track, football and wrestling, and with the Trojans, he has turned his attention to the latter two sports.

“I quit track so I could pursue wrestling and I got burned out on baseball and quit before high school,” Brumfield said. “As far as I know, the only person in my family to ever play football was my grandpa, but he died before I was born so I never got the opportunity to talk to him about it.”

“The physicality of football really appeals to me, and that has carried over into my playing style today. “

He also got involved in wrestling, and wishes he had started that earlier as a youth.

“Mr. Curnes asked me to come out after I had shown some interest in playing, and I love the sport as much as I love football,” he said. “I regret not starting sooner. The individuality of it is a big difference from football. Mr. Curnes is an incredible person and has done an incredible job with the Troy program.”

He has picked up memories in each sport, including his sophomore year when a winless Troy team defeated Sidney 28-0 on Senior Night. He also reflected on success in wrestling at the Miamisburg tournament last year going 4-1 and finishing second.

This summer, Brumfield will be working on his lateral quickness and pass rushing technique, and would love to be able to hit home more and rack up a couple of more sacks this year,” he said. “I will definitely be the strongest and fastest I have ever been by this season.” He paid a lot of credit to weight training coach Gibbons.

After high school, Brumfield looks to advance his game to the next level.

“The dream for me is to play college football, and I would love to go to a Division One program,” he said. “I try to keep things in perspective and I know my future lies in my academics but to be able to play the game I love for a while longer would be incredible.”

Brumfield, who wants to major in special education in college, is also active in the National Honor Society, Interact Club and Reading Buddies. He also umpires baseball through the OHSAA and works at a fencing company during the summer.