Golden Valley High School is proud to recognize Anthony Baldoze, a senior football player, as our Athlete of the Month.
Anthony has been part of Golden Valley football since his freshman year, making this his fourth and final season. Interestingly, his journey to the sport started after playing soccer “Honestly, I didn’t like how everyone would just flop and pretend to get hurt,” Anthony explained. “So I decided to try football, and it just stuck with me.”
Baldoze plays multiple positions—tight end, defensive end, and occasionally linebacker—but his favorite is defensive end. “It’s the most simple, and you get to hit people. I like that,” he said with a smile.One of his favorite memories on the field came last year against Lancaster, when he scored his very first touchdown.
When it comes to preparation, Anthony’s weekly routine includes stretching, rehab during open periods, practices, and weight training. Off the field, football has also taught him valuable life lessons. “Probably discipline,” he said. “Things are hard, but you can’t back down and quit just because they’re hard. You just have to push through and persevere.”
Like many student-athletes, Baldoze admits balancing schoolwork with long practices can be tough. After three to four hours of football, the last thing he wants to do is homework, but he continues to push himself to stay on track. Before games, Anthony prefers calm focus over loud music.“It’s like calm before the storm,” he explained. “I just like to be in my own thoughts.”
Looking ahead, Anthony doesn’t set specific statistical goals for himself, but instead focuses on giving his all every time he steps on the field. After graduation, he hopes to continue playing football if the opportunity comes his way. If not, he plans to attend a four-year university and pursue a degree.
Outside of football, there’s one thing about Anthony that might surprise people: he’s a big fan of Jurassic World and Godzilla movies.
Congratulations to Anthony Baldoze, our Golden Valley Athlete of the Month!
