BOCA RATON – One word can define how Drew Dirksen’s junior season went at St. Andrews.
“Bittersweet,” the 6-foot-1, 180-pound incoming senior wide receiver/outside linebacker said.
The Scots team captain went into why he chose the particular word, given that he tore his ACL in the process.
“Going into the season, there was a lot of hype around what could be and high expectations of what I could accomplish,”Dirksen said. “When I found out I wasn’t going to play during one of the most important years when it comes to a high school career, it was definitely devastating. However, I had my team and my family, which helped out a lot. Even though I wasn’t able to play on the field, my coaches and teammates made sure that I still felt as if I was able to. They would find new ways I could help the team out whilst also improving myself. So when it came down to watching my teammates during the season, it was just as fun as if I was on the field with them.”
Dirksen’s last official season on the field was his sophomore year, when he posted 12 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown at receiver, while adding 22 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles in nine games played.
Dirksen shared his top highlight from two seasons ago in 2019.
“The best moment would have to be when our team made it into the playoffs,” Dirksen said. “Not only was it rewarding, knowing all of our hard work allowed us to make the playoffs, but it was the first time we had made the playoffs in 45 years. It was a very special moment to say the least.”
Dirksen shared his teachable moment as a sophomore from two years ago.
“The biggest thing I learned from my sophomore year was gaining a better feel and understand for high school football, Dirksen said. “From being able to learn how it is in the game, I was able to better modify my play style and become more comfortable in my abilities.”
All of these moments have led Dirksen to making a breakthrough personal decision for himself.
“Another step that I took was a spiritual step,” Dirksen said. “This was becoming closer with God, as it allowed me to open doors that were once previously closed and keep me calm and focused when times got tough.”
St. Andrews head coach Jimmy Robertson spoke on Dirksen’s recovery process.
“Just like any injury, it’s a process,” Robertson said. “He hit some bumps last year during Covid with his rehab. However, that just motivated him more. I’m expecting big things from him this year because he has a chip on his shoulder.”
As a player who is striving to earn All-State honors for his senior season, Dirksen could not agree more.
“I’m still ‘recovering’ at the moment,” Dirksen said. “I put ‘recovering’ in quotes as technically I am cleared and I have been playing, but I believe that there is still room to improve and until I get to a place where I’m satisfied I will still be ‘recovering’. What motivated me throughout the recovery process was the need to make a name for myself.
Dirksen delved further into his recovery mission.
“I want to show people what I can do and put some respect on my name,” Dirksen said. “Due to that I not only pushed myself to become bigger, faster, and stronger, but also to become a better player mentally. That meant being dedicated to the weight room, meetings with coaches to further break down the little details of football, and learning new techniques from people with more experience than me. From this I believe that I have put myself in the best possible situation to truly succeed.”
SEASON SCHEDULE FOR ST. ANDREWS
Robertson has declared this upcoming season as St. Andrews toughest one yet, at least when it comes to the schedule slate. Here are the 2021 games for St. Andrews:
•KICKOFF CLASSIC: Home vs. Coral Springs Charter – 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Aug. 20
•WEEK 1: Away at Palmer Trinity – 4 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Aug. 27
•WEEK 2: Home vs. Glades Day – 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 3
•WEEK 3: Home vs. King’s Academy – 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 10
•WEEK 4: BYE
•WEEK 5: Away at Somerset Academy – 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 24
•WEEK 6: Homecoming vs. Spanish River – 7 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 1
•WEEK 7: Away at North Broward Prep – 7 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 8
•WEEK 8: Home vs. Inlet Grove – 7 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 15
•WEEK 9: Away at Lake Highland Prep – 6 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 22
•WEEK 10: Away at St. John Paul II – 7 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 29
•WEEK 11: Away at Pine Crest – 7 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 5
