Duncan High School senior Crew Budowsky is entering his final season with a mindset shaped by years of discipline, resilience and strong personal influences.

Budowsky, a middle linebacker for the Demons, credits his mother as the driving force behind his development both on and off the field.

“My mom is my biggest inspiration,” Budowsky said. “She is always there for me and shows unconditional love. She’s also amazing at pushing me to be the best person I can be.”

As he prepares for his senior year, Budowsky reflects on the relationships and lessons football has provided. He said the bonds formed with teammates stand out as one of the most meaningful parts of his experience.

“Some guys on the team I have played with for over five years,” he said. “Those are bonds I will never lose.”

Despite the physical demands of playing middle linebacker, Budowsky embraces the challenges that come with the position.

“The hardest thing is the hits you give and take every game,” he said. “There are some games where you walk off the field and it feels like you just got in a car wreck.”

His football journey has included unforgettable moments, both good and difficult. He recalls a standout memory from his freshman season, when the team struggled but ended on a high note.

“We had a terrible season, but in the last game we made a game-winning field goal and dog-piled on the field,” he said.

Budowsky also remembers one of the most intense moments of his career, a seventh-grade tackle that resulted in an opponent breaking his arm.

Off the field, Budowsky enjoys traveling and fishing, and he maintains a strong interest in academics. Math is his favorite subject, and he credits his eighth-grade STEM teacher, Mrs. Castle, as a major influence.

Through athletics, Budowsky said he has learned one of life’s most important lessons: perseverance.

“No matter how hard something is, you can never give up,” he said. “That’s something that will help me later in life.”

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