Lining up for the Poughkeepsie High School football team has “meant a lot” to Mehki Lloyd.
“I’ve gotten to put on a show every week in front of the fans out there watching,” the senior said, noting regardless of results, “I’ve tried my best and people come to support us. For me to practice every day and get better, it means a lot.”
Lloyd and classmate Tazjir Gary will get to represent Poughkeepsie football one more time on Sunday, and show once again the product of that hard work.
The pair were selected to play in Section 1’s Exceptional Seniors game, an annual contest for departing players featuring all-stars from the section’s northern high schools taking on all-stars from the south. Lloyd and Gary will play on the north team.
The game is scheduled for noon at Clarkstown North High School, 151 Congers Road in New City.
Gary, who played wide receiver, quarterback and safety this year, said being picked for the game “means everything. It means hard work, dedication, lots of late practices, working on our craft.”
Both players came up through youth football programs before playing modified and finally varsity for Poughkeepsie.
“My Dad played when he was in high school,” Gary said. “It was just a matter of time until I put on the jersey and got to play, too.”
Coach Jayquan Floyd said both players modeled for others how Poughkeepsie football players should act, exhibiting “leadership, commitment and dedication, especially academically.”
Floyd said, “they’ve taken the younger guys under their wing to show them what it takes to be able to be successful here – not just on the field but in the school building. That’s what we want to do within the culture of this program.”
Lloyd and Gary this week each day will travel to Yorktown High School after school for practices before the game Sunday.
Poughkeepsie last played a month ago against Peekskill. Lloyd, a middle linebacker and offensive tackle, is looking forward to lining up one more time, although this time wearing an all-star jersey.
“You really don’t know when it’s your last game,” he said. “Being that I know this could be my last game, I can leave it all out on the field one more time.”
Tickets are available at the gate. They cost $8 for adults and $5 for students, with only cash accepted.
“If Poughkeepsie came out there it would show how much better we are at football than people think we are,” Gary said.
Lloyd added, “We’re seniors. Come support us, watch us put on a show.”