Throughout the past two years, junior Anthony Dixon Jr. has proven to be a key member on RM’s Varsity football team. As captain and starting quarterback, Dixon has demonstrated not only his skills on the field but also the ability to lead his team. His determination and passion for the sport has not gone unnoticed. He was named to Montgomery County High School Football Top 50 players to watch ahead of the season and was also named WTOP’s player of the week last Oct. 

Dixon works on his game year-round. Over the past summer, Dixon attended Shepherd University’s football ID camp where he displayed his drive and abilities to college scouts and coaches. This commitment to the field continued when he returned home, where he worked on building chemistry with the receivers.  

Midway through the season, while persevering through a tough football schedule, Dixon has helped bring the team together and bounce back from losses.

Beginning the season with a 38-0 loss against Urbana HS lowered the morale of the team, but Dixon led the team to victory the following week against B-CC. He finished the game 21/27 while throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns, helping lead the team to a 49-35 win.

Besides ensuring that his teammates develop their skills on the field, Dixon also works hard to strengthen the team’s bond during the season. “AJ has a ton of confidence in himself and has the ability to make others around him just as confident,” Varsity Football Coach Randy Thompson said. 

Dixon is aware that rough patches and adversity can make or break a team, especially under the intimidating Friday Night Lights, so creating a close-knit relationship between players is important to him. Yet through those hardships, he understands the importance of leadership and hardwork.

“Everyone always listens to him and he is extremely respected throughout the team,” junior teammate and starting linebacker Lamine Kaba said.“We all love what AJ does for the team, but he is also super social, humbled and kind.” 

Dixon encourages the players to be optimistic, no matter who they are lining up against in their next game.  He believes that accepting the title as an underdog coming into this season encourages the players to compete with a chip on their shoulder. “I expect my team to work hard and go into every game with the mindset that we will win,” Dixon said. “I want everyone to leave everything out onto the field so when we step off the field, we have no regrets.”

With just about two weeks until the playoffs start, Dixon has high expectations for the effort he and his team will display on the field. His coach and teammates believe that he will lead the team to success this season. 

 “Every time he has the ball in his hands, I believe something special will happen,” Coach Thompson said.