This week we take five with James Merse. Be sure to look here next week for our next Take Five! Name: James Merse Age: 17 School affiliation: West Milford High School Sport/Activity (ies): Football, Track and Field 1) Share a favorite moment with one of your teams OFF the field. I think some of the best times I've had with my football team was during camp of our freshman year. We became really close, spending hours upon hours a week together. I've seen my football team more than I saw my own family during the season so we were really close. I think the camaraderie that started our first year was one of the greatest things about the seniors. We were all close, all friends, that's what I'll remember thirty years from now. 2) What is the most challenging part about football? It's a complex game. Yes, it's very physical, but believe it or not it's the mental portion of the game that is the most difficult. There are so many angles to look at when deciding what move to make on the field, and it all stems from the practices and the classroom work we've done to prepare. This year my position changed week after week, from end to tackle, back to end, sometimes to nose; so I had to be on my mental game so I would have any breakdowns that could cost the game for my team. 3) What is your favorite class in school and why? I love my Creative Writing class. I plan to study English and Creative writing in college so it provides me with great preparation for my future. I want to write for film and television, and this class explores fiction and dramatic writing so it lets me play with my own ideas and see what I like and what my strengths are. 4) What does being a highlander captain mean to you? I'm very proud to represent the Highlanders. I was elected by my team, so it felt really great to know that the brothers I play ball with every day respect me and my love for the game enough to choose me to lead them. Its one the best accomplishments I have so far growing up. 5) What is your favorite food? My mom makes a mean Chicken Bruschetta, I could eat that every night if she'd let me. Bonus Five 1) Do you have any pregame rituals or warm-ups? I didn't growing up in youth football, but when I started playing on the varsity level I began to get really excited before games and if you looked close at me on the sideline before the game starts you could see me sing the national anthem, and while waiting for kickoff I would flick my hands really fast. I guess it was the nerves that got to me, but I rarely felt nervous before games. 2) How did you get involved in football? I played football since I was in first grade. Originally I played soccer, but when I was old enough my dad signed me up and I loved it ever since my first day of flag. 3) What is your favorite movie? V for Vendetta. I'm a huge Natalie Portman fan. 4) Who is your biggest inspiration? My father, hands down. I aspire to be just as great a man as he is. He is the definition of a man with great character, and I learned everything I know about life from him. He helps me with everything I bring to him, and he is the best father and friend I could imagine. 5) What is your favorite song? That's a hard one, but right now I'd have to say 'The Runaway' by Something Corporate. Do you know someone who should be featured in Take Five? Drop us a line at webmaster@strausnews.com and let us know who and why. We are looking for anyone from elementary school through college, and you can even nominate yourself.