OCTOBER 2007

Also Inside The October 2007 Edition:

NW's Field Hockey  - "Borg" Identity

QO's "Naturals" - Darmody & Lisle

NW's CC Improving Beyond Running

RM's Frazier & Gorsky

COVER STORY PHOTOS:

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COVER STORY

Boateng-Botwe and Atwood Lead Trojans’ Advance

One athlete was born in Ghana, moved to London, and finally settled in the United States just five short years ago. The other is a long time resident of Gaithersburg and the poster child for perseverance.

Together, Gaithersburg Trojans’ football seniors Brian Boateng-Botwe and Dan Atwood forged a bond through their devotion to football, while committing to a common goal of playing college football.

Although raised in two completely different cultures, the diverse pair has come together as friends and as leaders for a Trojans football team embarking on a memorable season.

When Boateng-Botwe speaks (in any of the five languages he knows fluently) you immediately develop a sense of his confidence and leadership skills. He responds to questions regarding the Trojans’ team at great length as if he were telling the story of his life.

When Atwood speaks, he is of few words. He’s reserved and to the point, providing honest answers to questions based on what he believes, not the emblematic politically correct verbiage he’s supposed to say.

Atwood – whose family tree is shaped like a football – was born to play the sport. He has participated in some form of football annually for most of his young life.

Boateng-Botwe was raised playing soccer. Only three years ago did he begin participating in football; unaware of the rules or the concept of the game, he played because, as he puts it, “(he) likes the contact”.

Boateng-Botwe had to constantly adjust, learning how to meet new people as his family moved from continent to continent.

Atwood has played football and lacrosse and has run track with many of the same kids he’s known since he started attending school.

Two student athletes with dissimilar upbringings and a world apart, form an unlikely leadership duo for a Trojans’ program that has bordered on the brink of success the last few years. 

A four-year varsity starter at Gaithersburg, Atwood was making a name for himself in Montgomery County before Boateng-Botwe knew what the term “touchdown” meant.

The two-time All Gazette performer has had to overcome several obstacles during his four years at Gaithersburg.

Two years ago, right before the start of the season, Atwood had to deal with the sudden loss of his father, a difficult ordeal for anyone to contend with, even tougher because his father was his biggest fan. When Atwood enters the end zone, as he has done often this season, watch closely and you’ll notice his very subtle tribute to his father.

Last year, he was forced to miss half the season with a neck injury and seemed ready for a return during a playoff game against undefeated Northwest, but Coach Kreg Kephart cautiously kept him on the sidelines.

“He is all heart and has a dedication to this team like no one else,” Kephart said, adding, “As bad as he wanted to play I wasn’t going to risk his well being or football career for a game.”

Boateng-Botwe epitomizes the 2007 Trojans football team. A self-made player by way of a dedicated approach to the weight room, he received well deserved attention from college coaches when he bench pressed 225-lbs. 20 times and ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at the Baltimore combines.

Atwood and Boateng-Botwe traveled together during the summer, visiting and working out for college coaches up and down the East coast.

If these two athletes can continue to carry this program deep into the playoffs in late November, they may make enough of a splash to receive the football scholarships for which they have both worked so hard for and definitely deserve.