Grove High School’s football program runs on energy, and rising varsity contributor Duke Duckworth fits right into that heartbeat. A linebacker and tight end for the Ridgerunners, Duckworth thrives in the charged atmosphere that surrounds the team year-round. “Everyone gets super hype whether it’s before a game or before a summer workout the energy is always there. Everyone always has a great time too.” For him, the work starts long before Friday nights, in summer sessions where competition and camaraderie blend into the daily routine.
Football has been central to Duckworth’s life since middle school, thanks in large part to his father’s example and support. “My dad has been the one that got me into football in the 6th grade and he has done everything he can to help me along my journey. He was a great football player in college and I hope to be the same.” That early foundation has helped shape his approach to the game, as he embraces the physicality and versatility required to play both sides of the ball.
On defense, Duckworth lines up at linebacker, where he relishes the freedom to range across the field and deliver contact. “I like playing LB because I’m not limited to a certain amount of field, I can go anywhere to make a tackle, I like to hit too.” Offensively, he shifts to tight end, a spot that lets him mix blocking with the occasional target in the passing game. “I also like playing TE because I have a good time blocking but I get a pass here and there too, it’s like a perfect mix of hitting and passing for me.” That combination of roles reflects the balance he enjoys: physical play, but also the chance to make plays in space.
Duckworth’s offseason is packed with work. “Spring went great! I enjoyed every second of it even though it was about 80 trillion degrees. Summer workouts are going good as well. We compete every day and have fun doing it.” He also spent time in track, broadening his athletic base. “I did track last year. It was pretty cool.” In the weight room, his focus has evolved. “Last year I put on around 40-pounds of muscle and that did help, but I realized to play football you need to be an athlete not a body builder, so I’ve maintained my same weight but shifted my focus toward strictly improving my athleticism and explosiveness during the offseason.”
On the field, Duckworth defines his game through physical defense and quick recognition. “I would say the strength of my game is beating blocks, meeting running backs in the hole, and quick reads. What I’m focusing on improving is speed and agility. As a bigger linebacker it’s not as easy for me to move as fast as the small ones so I need to focus on my quickness.” He credits former teammate Cohen Hargis with shaping his mindset. “My freshman and sophomore year I was inspired by my good friend Cohen Hargis. He gave me rides to practice every day and he showed me that just because it’s a sport and its serious doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have fun playing it. I rarely saw that guy without a smile on his face.”
Beyond high school, Duckworth’s goals stretch far past the gridiron. “After I graduate high school, I want to play football in college where I get my bachelor’s degree in biology or environmental science, then I’ll go to dental school through the Navy, go serve for a few years and see the world a little bit, then once I’m done with that, boom, I’m a dentist, and once I’m a dentist ill buy myself a real nice truck.” For now, his path runs through Grove’s practices and Friday nights, where he continues to build the athleticism, attitude and work ethic that drive both his football journey and his future plans.
