If you like Nordonia High School football or are a fan of Brendan Hermensky, you might have noticed the linebackers wearing multi-color shoes. Hermensky explained why they do this, and it turns out it’s a special tradition for Nordonia Football.
I noticed you do wear different-colored shoes. Is there a reason behind that? “This is the number one question I got asked by all of the college recruiters. The pink and yellow cleats are a tradition for Nordonia inside linebackers. It’s been going on for the last several years, started by Mike Westbrooks. The two inside linebackers share cleats, each wearing pink and yellow.”
“When I first heard about this tradition from Logan Villamagna, I thought it was amazing. I think it symbolizes two minds thinking as one and each linebacker working together as one. I was proudly able to share the cleats with my teammate Jordan Byrd this year. I hope this Nordonia tradition keeps going on for years to come!”
Mentorship plays a crucial role in the development of an athlete. Could you tell us about someone who has been a mentor to you in your football journey? How have they influenced your approach to the game?
“There are a lot of people who have mentored me in football over the last 4 years, and I will forever be grateful for them. Nordonia has an amazing coaching staff, and as an underclassman, I was fortunate to be mentored by several outstanding linebackers. Our linebacker coach, Mike Bell, has been a huge part of my football journey throughout the years.”
“I knew going into my junior year that I had all the tools to be a good player; I just needed help taking that next step. Coach Bell took me to the next level. I will forever be grateful that he came into my life and made playing linebacker so much easier for me. His experience and teachings will not only help me at the next level, but even after football ends for me.”
Brendan Hermensky: “My favorite character is the Joker”
On a lighter note, we’d love to know who your favorite character is—be it from a movie, book, or any other form of media. “My favorite character is the Joker because of how he is always two steps ahead of everyone else while being mysterious. Not only am I two steps ahead of stuff like my homework and tests, but my preparation during football season is unmatched.”
“One of the most important things Coach Bell brought into my life was the ability to prepare. I know I won’t always be the best player on the field, but I will always be the most prepared. I believe that in every varsity football game ever played, I knew more about the other team than they knew about my team and me. I would say the other trait that I resemble in the Joker is the mysterious aspect.”
“I took influence from him in the sense that I would never let my opponent control my emotions. Through the ups and downs of the game, I made sure to never let the opponent know what I was feeling. I feel like that’s what made me the player I am today—not letting emotions get in the way of the sport I love. As Team Captain, I tried to instill that in our team to play the game and keep your eye on the prize.”
