The best teams often start with belief—and Colby Watson says this Grove squad believes it’s their year. “State championship,” Watson said bluntly when asked about his personal goals this season. That mindset isn’t just talk. The senior quarterback and linebacker has been fueling it with relentless work and a growing hunger shared by the entire program.
Watson’s arrival at Grove has coincided with a cultural shift under new leadership. “The new coaching staff is pushing us harder than ever,” he said. “Practices are intense, and everyone is locked in.”
That change is already showing up on the defensive side of the ball. “Defense struggled in the beginning, but it looks like a different team now,” Watson said. “We’ve come a long way in just a short time, and we’re starting to play fast and physical.”
What sets this team apart, according to Watson, is their shared hunger for more. “Everyone has the same goal,” he said. That collective edge has sparked urgency across every position group and created an environment where excellence is the standard.
And while Grove’s defense is evolving, Watson has full confidence in the unit that drives the scoreboard. “Our offense is the best in the state,” he said. “I don’t think anybody can match the weapons we have.”
Watson’s role as quarterback demands preparation, and he takes that responsibility seriously. “Film tells me everything I need to know about a defense,” he said. “Corners give me the best reads. In big games, the only thing you can do is watch film. Every chance I have, I watch film.”
At 6’4”, Watson brings size and vision to the QB position, but he knows success depends on the full unit. “I do my job, and I have to trust my teammates will do the same,” he said.
Watson hopes to leave more than stats behind when his high school career ends. “I want to be the pinnacle of football in Grove when I graduate—the standard—if that doesn’t sound too cocky,” he said with a grin.
No matter what, the senior has already found his anthem: “‘Dreams and Nightmares’ by Meek Mill,” he said. “That’s how I get ready.”
This is just Watson’s first season in a Grove uniform, but he’s already making his presence known.
