For Mason Davis, Monroe High School Senior, football has been more than a game—it’s been a family. Starting at age eight and later thriving under the guidance of Coach Darrow, he found a winning culture that shaped him on and off the field. Through sports, he’s learned the value of hard work and resilience. Whether it’s pregame McChickens or preparing for a future in college track, his journey reflects dedication, passion, and the drive to chase his dreams. Continue reading to learn more about Mason’s athletic journey.
SCSC: Why/when did you start playing football?
DAVIS: I started playing ball when I was like 8 or 9. I originally played in Snohomish for the Snohomish youth program and then once I got to middle school, I started playing Monroe ball then eventually moved up to the high school and started playing football in high school.
SCSC: What’s your favorite thing about playing for Monroe High School?
DAVIS: I’d say our culture, we have a good winning culture. We win a lot of games and we’re just a big family. We have a really good coaching staff over here. Coach Darrow, the head coach, has been awesome, not just as a coach, but as a role model and as a teacher. He’s just a good dude and guiding us in the right way to send us off to college or whatever we’re going to do later in life. I would just say that family like culture over here it’s pretty cool.
SCSC: Are there any teams or players that you look up to?
DAVIS: I would say there are people that I try to base my game off of. Actually, there is a Monroe alumni, he plays at Eastern Washington University, Efton Chism III, he’s a baller. I really like to watch his game, and it’s really cool because he comes from Monroe, so it shows that you can make it from here.
SCSC: Do you have a pregame routine?
DAVIS: That’s funny you ask because this year, I started to eat two McChickens before every game. Other than that, I love music, so the music is definitely flowing. I’m also a track athlete too, track is actually my main sport, so I take my warmup super seriously because I’m pretty tight bound muscle wise. I make sure to get out there right before everyone else. My quarterback and I actually do go on the field so. For home games, we do like team dinners at 4:00pm and then after, we do something called a clap session and that’s where we just get together and run our first couple plays on offense to make sure we’re sharp. My quarterback and I will go out, probably you know 20 minutes before everyone else and just toss the rock just get in a flow. Music and McDonald’s has been my every game ritual so far this year.
SCSC: Who has been the most influential coach or mentor throughout your athletic career?
DAVIS: For a coach, I would say Coach Darrow, just because I came into Monroe football as a group a lot later than a lot of the kids who had been playing in the Monroe scenes and their whole life. I came in a lot later and he accepted me into the program very quick and I was able to adapt to it. He set me up very well for success. Also, my parents are very supportive and my dad pushes as hard as I want to push myself. I have very good people around me for sure.
SCSC: What are some life lessons you have learned through football or athletics?
DAVIS: You definitely need to be motivated every day. It’s hard to go to practice every day. It’s hard to wake up and go to school and then do another 3-4 more hours of work after school. We don’t get home until 7-7:30 at night. I think in the real world, there are going to be times where things will be hard and you’re not going to want to do it. Football will teach you that you’ve got to suck it up. I think it’s taught all of us to accept the challenge.
SCSC: What is your favorite memory of your time playing with Monroe?
DAVIS: We’ve won a lot of games and that’s a cool feeling. Not every high school football player gets to experience that. I’ve been able to play the last two and a half seasons on varsity as a starter, I’ve lost only four games out of an 11-12 game season. Winning has been great.
SCSC: What are your goals after you graduate? Do you have any schools that you’re looking at?
DAVIS: I am definitely going to run track in college for sure, but we will see about football. That’s still up in the air, but if an offer comes, I’d love to go play football in college. Eastern Washington is top of my list for track. Coach Tucker at Eastern supported me throughout sophomore year.
SCSC: What is the most important or influential piece of advice you have been given?
DAVIS: I actually have it tattooed on me. It’s “Let all the negative motivate you, nobody can take your dreams away”, and that is from my dad. That’s the perfect question because it’s something that’s stuck with me for a long time and means enough to me where it’s tattooed on me. Those words mean a lot to me and I look at that every time I wake up and I try to use it to fuel my day.