GREAT FALLS – Being great at one sport is one thing, but being great at two sports during the same season is on a different level.
That’s the life of Great Falls High sophomore Judah McAdam. He starts on defense for the Great Falls High soccer team this year, and he’s the place kicker on the football team. McAdam played on the soccer team last year but wanted to also pursue another passion. The Bison football team needed a kicker, and McAdam wanted to kick. It was the perfect match.
“I’ve always wanted to kick for football. You don’t get hit ever,” said McAdam. “I’m not the person that wants to get hit, but it’s pretty simple and it’s fun. It’s fun to kick the ball, and I played soccer all my life.”
McAdam is off to a great start this season for both teams. He made a field goal in the Bison’s win against Helena Capital in Week 1 and he’s made all nine of his point-after attempts so far. On the soccer pitch, he just recently picked up his first goal of the season against Butte.
McAdam has a unique schedule: football practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., then soccer from 6 to 8 p.m. every day.
“I played soccer (for Great falls High) last year and it was great. We were a young, young, young team. But then walking into football, I know the kids but I don’t know them well,” said McAdam. “So I have to get used to new teammates and make some friends on that team. It’s pretty fun because it’s hyped on the sidelines. Everyone gets hyped. It’s fun.”
Soccer has helped McAdam’s kicking game in a way, but he says both sports are very different for the most part, soccer, obviously, with more running. He’s hopeful to play either soccer and or football when he gets to college.
Being a same-season, two-sport athlete can be exhausting, but at the end of the day, McAdam says it’s all worth it.
“Give all your effort to both teams and it may be tiring — it is very tiring, but push through it. It’s awesome,” he said.
McAdam says that he prefers soccer over the two, but he also said being a place kicker definitely ranks high on his list.
