NOAH (Northeast Oklahoma Association of Homeschools) offers several sports to its members. One of the more successful programs is the football program. Under coach James Ballinger, the Jaguars are the defending National Champions and coming into the 2023 season, are the favorites to repeat. One reason for that is the defense. 

Andrew Jacobs is part of that Jags defense. Jacobs is excited to take the field with his teammates and defend their title.

“I’m excited to be starting on defense, I’ve worked hard these past couple of years to get there. I’m excited for our team to compete against some tough opponents. We play Metro Christian and Kiefer to start the season and I think we have a pretty good chance of beating them this year so I’m excited about that. I’m excited to see how this brotherhood of teammates bond together to create an amazing team that won it last year and I am confident we can do it this year,” said Jacobs. 

Thanks to his work ethic, Jacobs has pushed himself into the starting lineup and should help this Jaguar football team this season. 

“Growing up, my dad always said if you cut corners on the field, you cut corners in life. It’s always been a thing of mine to not cut corners on the field, in the gym, or off the football field. I’ve lived by that for quite a while. It’s helped me to push harder and go for the extra rep and you will see it pay off in the long run,” said Jacobs. 

When it comes to the team concept, Jacobs is all about it. The brotherhood is important to Jacobs. 

“The biggest thing I love about my team and teammates is the brotherhood. The brotherhood that forms between all of us. Last year at the end of the season we were all family members. That’s what I loved about last year’s team. It’s what allows us to be so good each year. We have that brotherhood, and it shows on the field,” Jacobs said. “NOAH has been amazing. It’s a great organization. The student athletes are amazing. We have a great coaching staff. It’s not always just athletics. We each grow in our faith throughout the season. I really like the spiritual aspect. It’s more than just a football team. Every Thursday we have meal and message. We won a championship because we all grew spiritually and that allowed us to do really well on the field.” 

Jacobs was quick to mention a couple of players he is excited to see play this season. 

“There is a player on offense named DJ Saldavon and I think he will have a breakout year at running back. After seeing him at spring practice and camps, I think he has a chance to be really good. On defense I’m really excited to see Tommy Eman play. I think he’s made a lot of improvement throughout the offseason, so I think he has a chance to do really well. He’s fast and has good hands,” said Jacobs. 

Jacobs said his priority is his education. Jacobs hopes to one day work in film or television. “I took ACT prep at Huntington for about six months, and I enjoyed the people there. They were eager and willing to teach me help me grow. After taking the ACT prep class, I took the ACT and scored a lot higher than what I thought I was going to taking the ACT for the first time,” said Jacobs. “Several years ago, I was in a production of Beauty and the Beast, I was behind the scenes and fell in love with putting on productions. I got interested in movie production and ever since then I’ve wanted to direct my own movie so after graduating, I plan on studying media production and from there I will probably join a studio so I can eventually direct.