Brothers with Opinions -B.W.O.
Four friends discussing Winchester, VA news and topics. Debating political issues, news, social injustice and anything that is up for debate in our world.
Brothers with Opinions -B.W.O.
From Handley Star to Emory & Henry Enforcer: Manno Lusca on humility, hard work, and balancing books with big hits
The moment you step onto a college field, everything feels faster—and Emmanuel “Manno” Lusca doesn’t sugarcoat it. From standout days at John Handley High to carving out a role at strong safety for Emory & Henry, Manno walks us through what it really takes to level up: embracing a redshirt year, letting go of ego, learning a new position, and building the habits that keep you ready when your number is called.
We talk about the stuff that changes careers—time management, film study, study hall, and the steady routines that turn talent into trust. Manno shares early highlights (a blocked-punt TD return, multiple picks), the leadership moments that matter (resetting the huddle after a score), and the painful lessons he still uses (a playoff goal-line fumble he never forgot). He credits mentors and trainers who sharpened his game, from technique to mindset, and explains why being coachable might be the most underrated skill in college sports.
You’ll also hear the personal side: the calm-before-impact pregame ritual, family support on long Saturdays, and a grounded Plan B in exercise science. We zoom out to the bigger picture—D2 visibility, NFL eyes on teammates, local rivalries, and why “if you can play, they’ll find you” is more true than ever. For young athletes, parents, and coaches, this is a clear, no-fluff guide to moving from high school hero to reliable college contributor.
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Intro and Outro music credit to Wooka Da Don
Yeah, I don't see I see you. It's small.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, do you? Alright, cool.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, you just had it. You got it. Yeah, just small. We made it big and went little again.
SPEAKER_03:Well, I guess it's on my end. I don't know. We should be good though. Alright, so everyone, welcome back to BWO Brothers with Opinions. We have a special guest on today. I've been waiting to have this young man on. Been trying to for what, Chris, like over a year? Probably longer than that. Yeah, since he was like a senior at Haley, so about two years. Yeah, yeah. So we have on Emmanuel Manno Lusker uh with us. And uh he was a star athlete at Haley, you know, played football, did track, and uh now he's at Emory and Henry. So let's welcome in uh Manno. Yes, sir. Man, are you with us?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir. How y'all doing? Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_03:Good, good. How are you? Man, about time finally got you on. I was telling Chris, I was like, well, and he knows I've been trying to get you on for like two years. So finally we we got you on, but I'm glad to have you on. You know, you can talk about your you know your journey through, I guess, athletics and being a great student athlete that you are. Uh, and uh just introduce yourself real quick, man, who you are.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, my name is Emmanuel Luska. I go to Emir and Henry right now. And like he said, I went to John Hanley, grew up in Winchester, Virginia, and been playing football my whole life.
SPEAKER_03:Yep, yep, yeah. You have uh what uh you started out with me in Little League. I'm saying yeah, I still I still remember. I tell Chris all the time, like I remember when he was just a rock, you know, raw athlete, and but you could tell, you know, you had that dog in you at the time, you know. So you you've came a long way, man. You put definitely putting in the work, it's definitely showing. Y'all hear me? Yeah, I can't. I think we I think we lost you for a second, but you're back.
SPEAKER_01:All right, headphones messing up.
SPEAKER_03:You're good. But yeah, I was just saying, you know, I I remember when you was what eight, eight, nine years old, came out, and your mom's always oh well, he's never played before. This is his first time, but I was like, damn, I was like, this boy, he's gonna be something. Like yeah, you so and it's definitely showing, and you've definitely worked hard to where you're at right now, and I'm very proud of you. So also uh you red shirted, right?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I'm gonna be a good one.
SPEAKER_01:I'm a freshman this year.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, right. And I and I feel that definitely helps you because you're young. You graduated, what, it's 17 years old?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so I just turned uh 19 the other day.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yeah. So yeah, you're young. So that definitely that definitely that redshirt year definitely help you, and being as good as you are, being a standout athlete that you are, that that really helps. You know, you getting that red shirt year. So do you want to discuss, discuss with us your first year at college and dealing with, you know, the transition from high school, because you know, you're like the big man on campus at high school, then you get to college. So tell the difference, you know, once you get to college from high school.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, there's definitely a big difference from being like having like the big ego and stuff, like going from being the biggest guy to basically being like the average dude on the field, and then you really just gotta work hard every day and stay consistent. But it was uh definitely a humbling moment for me. Because coaches, like you're just another player out there for real. So, and that's how they treat you.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. So, yeah, because uh go ahead.
SPEAKER_01:I just learned as it went on and kept my head down and worked hard.
SPEAKER_03:Great, great. So, Chris, you got a question?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, Tony, you know where Emory and Henry is at?
SPEAKER_03:Uh Emory, Virginia. Right?
SPEAKER_04:I I've known of that school my whole life, but I don't know where where is Emory at?
SPEAKER_01:It's uh it's like 20 minutes from Bristol, Virginia. Like right on the line of uh Tennessee.
SPEAKER_03:So yeah, you're right, right basically on the state line and uh D2, correct? They're a D2 school, right?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. So, but also, man, uh so also this year you have had, you know, like you say, your freshman year, well, you didn't get to really play much your freshman year, right?
SPEAKER_01:Well, yeah, I didn't know my freshman year.
SPEAKER_03:Mm-hmm. So, like you say, going back to adversity, deal with that now. You're actually starting, right? At corner.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. At strong safety. Oh, strong safety is that okay, gotcha, gotcha.
SPEAKER_04:You have to shot it for what it's saying.
SPEAKER_03:Right. Yeah, I was gonna say, I was like, what you got a well not a block punt, you've returned a block punt for a touchdown. I think you have what two interceptions so far this season in what three games, four games?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, starting three games.
SPEAKER_04:He's out there laying that wood like Sean Taylor and Brian Dawkins.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. And that's what he's done his whole his whole career since he was a little just lay the wood. That's it. He ain't scared at all. So tell us how uh, you know, because this will help out younger athletes as well. That's why we love having you guys on, you know, going off to college and things. How do you balance your academics with your you know, your sport?
SPEAKER_01:Uh, my freshman year, we had mandatory study hall. So that held me my freshman year, really getting into things. And then going into my uh sophomore year, you just gotta find time in between classes and really the weekends for a and you can't take like you really have a lot of free time, you just gotta use it wisely and manage the time well.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right.
SPEAKER_04:College is different from high school, it's so easy to get distracted. So, yeah, like you said, you gotta really stay focused, especially if you're trying to be on the field of the court or whatever sport you're playing. Man, I remember like it's there's nobody really there to like direct you and make sure you're doing stuff, so it's pretty much on your own. So that that seems, you know, like you're very well matured for your age.
SPEAKER_01:So you gotta grow fast, right?
SPEAKER_03:So shoot, I just lost my train of thought. Uh, so Manno, with uh being in college as well, you know, we talked about you just talked about you know the adjustment and everything. What was the hardest thing to transition to, you know, going from high school to college?
SPEAKER_01:Uh really the speed of the game was probably the hardest part.
SPEAKER_03:Right.
SPEAKER_01:The level just gets faster and faster, it seems like.
SPEAKER_03:Right, correct, correct. And that and that's a hard thing to tell these kids there's levels to it. It's like you say, there's it it definitely changes, right? Because like you say, every everybody out there on that field was the star athlete at their high school, and then now you're all just coming into one big group, you know, that be D1, D2, whatever. Everybody was the big man on campus at one point, and then you got to start over. So also, uh let's talk about you know, who was your biggest influence growing up?
SPEAKER_01:I had a lot of uh coaches that influenced me a lot. Uh college players. Jabrell Peppers was my favorite college player growing up.
SPEAKER_03:Okay.
SPEAKER_01:Um, and then like even still now, I have like a lot of mentors and stuff that helped me throughout the years, days and weeks. Right, right.
SPEAKER_03:And any of them specific? You want to give shout-outs, give some name, or you it's too many to name.
SPEAKER_01:My personal trainer, uh, Quante, he's helped me throughout high school, and then I recently started working with uh Savon. He played at Richmond. Hey, if y'all want to get right, tap in with him. You trade on that field for real.
SPEAKER_04:Who'd you say?
SPEAKER_01:Savon. He played at Millboard.
SPEAKER_04:Okay, yeah, yeah. He was a beast, man. I thought he might have had a chance to go pro, actually.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. And then, like, my godfather he helps me a lot as well.
unknown:Right.
SPEAKER_01:Everything.
SPEAKER_03:Big shout out to CJ. I was saying, it's like can't go out without mentioning CJ, right? Yeah, he's he's done a lot for you. He's a great guy.
SPEAKER_01:And then a lot of my little weed coaches, uh, Coach Taway, he sells me about to this day. And Coach Dave.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. Yep, you've had a lot of positive influences in your life. Yep, tell you that. So, Chris, you got any questions right now? I don't want I don't want to take all the shine here, you know.
SPEAKER_04:That's all good. I'm looking at I was I was curious what year was you coaching him with the Rizkins when you and Wayne was Quincy was on that team too, right?
SPEAKER_03:Oh my god. Uh man, that how in what? What is it, 2024? That was 2001. I hell out. I can't do the math. It was because man, what'd you just say? You're you're 19 now?
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Just so he was eight nine, so ten years ago, like 2004 or something like that.
SPEAKER_04:Look how quick that time goes by from being literally college. It goes, it goes fast.
SPEAKER_01:2004.
SPEAKER_03:What oh 14. I know. I said 2000. Look, I can't see how see, man. Thank God I got you. Right. But yeah, it was it was about 10, 11 years ago. But I'll tell you, I'll I will say I'm I text you guys this earlier. That that was you know, I remember distinctly, but especially going into the second year coaching them guys, I mean, they were so focused, and I I'd never seen a group of kids so locked in at that, you know. They it was just something to see, and what they they could do at such a young age. And I was always told as a coach, at that time, they were like, Oh, you can't teach these kids this and and that, and blah blah blah. But hey, they you guys proved everybody wrong with that team. You know, you guys were definitely gonna be able to do that.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah. My second year playing, we didn't. Our first year we lost in like the semifinals or something.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. Yeah, that was a tough one. Yeah. They lost the semifinal that year.
SPEAKER_04:Who else was on that team?
SPEAKER_03:Trader.
SPEAKER_01:Xavier Lee, Kyler Jackson. He's playing at Bluefield right now. Yeah. Running back.
SPEAKER_02:Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_01:Uh Griffin. Yeah, Griffin Austin.
SPEAKER_04:Jackson from Millbrook.
SPEAKER_03:Who is it? Kyler?
SPEAKER_04:He's from Millbrook, right?
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, he went to Millbrook. But he's at uh where'd you say he's Bluefield, right? Is where he's at now. Yeah.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:So we had some tat, and then there was some nice young linemen on there. Like you just mentioned, Austin Griffin and Trey, you know, Trey Hogan. And then we had uh Hunter Ratchford, who was a stand at uh, you know, Sherando a few years. So that team that team was loaded. And then all the kids, a lot of them turned out here doing big things. Christian was on that team. You know, he was on it as well. You know, at a young age, Christian was just like two years younger than everybody, but he still played. So, but hey, man, oh, Christian's gonna be out there playing football. What do you think?
SPEAKER_01:If you heard that, hey, I'm happy for him.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, about time. It's like multi-sport athlete, man. Do do it all. Uh that's gonna be that's gonna be fun to watch. Him.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, his first game Saturday, right?
SPEAKER_03:Uh yes, against Kettle Run. Yep. Yeah, it should be. We'll see. I think Kettle Run's kind of fell off a little bit, but they'll they'll still be a tough foul. They'll still they're still well coached and got, you know, so you know that. They'll still be tough. Yeah, but you're excited to see him out there, but you know, back to you, Mano. Uh what would you say? I already asked you your your biggest inspiration, right? So basically it's listen, who is your biggest inspiration in life? Like, be uh, you know, anybody personal in your life or a role. Yep, there I knew that was cool.
SPEAKER_01:Sophie him work through everything and figuring everything out. Also, my mom just made him work hard constantly and never giving up.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. But you haven't, you've you've been through a lot, I can say that, and you've you've overcame a lot and persevered. So I definitely give you props for that, man. You've done a lot, overcome a lot and proved a lot of people wrong. You know, that because like you say, you're gonna have haters too, but you've definitely pushed on and you know proved everybody wrong. So I'm proud of you on that aspect too.
SPEAKER_04:You you were player athlete of the year, right? You senior in the area. Yeah, I thought I remember seeing you on that paper. That's like best best player in the whole area, man. No lie, man. That's one of the most amazing feats to me for people to be able to get that honor out of everybody in the area, you the player of the year. That's dope, man.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, my team helped me out a lot. And coaches.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. That now, did you play for the new uh Smith? Yes, sir. Yeah, your your senior year, right? That was his first year, right? Yes, sir. Yeah, yeah. So shout out to him too. Hey, he's he's doing his thing. He's he seems like a great dude, got a lot of connections. You know, he's he's he's done a lot for Haley in a short amount of time. Yeah, so who was it before that?
SPEAKER_04:Coach Jones?
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yep, Coach Jones. Uh he's still out there with head, but he he walks on the sidelines and just watches. Yep.
SPEAKER_04:So who's y'all's who's some of y'all's biggest competition over there for Every Henry?
SPEAKER_01:Uh, it's a couple good teams out here. We just played Carson Newman, they were ranked, and we just won against them 1913. Nice talk right out there.
SPEAKER_03:Nice, nice. Cool. So what uh who on your team? Let's let's say who's who's a star on your team right now besides you? Who's who else is shining?
SPEAKER_01:Uh Cameron Peoples on offense, and then everybody on defense is a star for real. We have Sean Collins. Yeah, it's NFL teams looking at him right now.
SPEAKER_03:Nice, there you go.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, it doesn't matter whether you at, man. You can go pro.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, for real.
SPEAKER_04:That means y'all got a superstar on the defense.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. Hey, it's like I say, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Uh don't matter where you play at. Hey, if you're good, they'll find you. You know, it's a tapes out, especially with social media today. They will they will definitely find you. Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:What about travel? Like, yeah, you gotta travel long distances already? Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01:The furthest we went was I think three hours, three, four hours on a bus. So it's not too bad.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, so do you all like fly out anywhere or anything like that far, or is it just typically bus rides, like local, more local, like that? Gotcha. Alright. So, Mano, uh who let's see, I got a few fun questions for you. Who uh there's the top three people you'd like to have dinner with that are alive. Oh, Chris, there you go.
SPEAKER_01:That's why you played my favorite artist.
SPEAKER_04:Tony know who that is?
SPEAKER_03:Who is it?
SPEAKER_04:Rodley.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, Rod, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Oh no, Jalen Ramsey.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, that's a good one. I like Jalen Rand Jalen Ramsey a lot. Heck yeah. So in high school, who was your biggest rival? Who did you hate playing the most? I gotta ask that. James Woods. Jason.
SPEAKER_01:Really all the different schools.
SPEAKER_03:Millbrook. Right. They just played the other night, Millbrook and Sharando, and Sharando beat the brakes off of them after after Millbrook beat Kettle Run. So, yeah. So we'll see. I think I think in our area, the top two schools, it's it comes down to Sharando and Hanley in our area.
SPEAKER_01:Hanley's gonna come out on top.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, of course. Of course.
SPEAKER_04:But this is the first time I've seen in a long time where all the area schools are pretty good. Like James Wood and all of them, they they seem like they're real good this year.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, not taking nothing away from them, but I just don't think they can hang with Hanley or Shirando, honestly.
SPEAKER_04:Well, they already lost Sharando. But yeah, I'm just saying, like in general, like I just James Woods is hardly ever good. So to see them pretty good is surprising.
SPEAKER_03:Right. Right. Well, they got a lot of nice young talent, you know, on their on their roster.
SPEAKER_04:So, man, oh you keep up with all of it then.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_04:You still keep up with the guys over there at Hanley, they shining right now. And I'm not gonna lie, I was the first one that was like, I'm not sure how the season will go with Tristan went down, but they five it all. Yeah, see, shout out to that coaching staff. I think that kid is.
SPEAKER_03:No, no. I've I've talked to him and he he's not gonna you know push it and come back. He wants to get 100% healthy. I think what he's gonna do is he's decide, you know, he'll do uh what he do in the shot put and track, so he'll do that, but he's I don't think he's gonna play basketball or anything. He's just gonna make sure he's 100%, which to me is smart, you know, breaking that leg twice. So make sure he's definitely good. Yeah. So you're related, are you related to Tristan? Yeah, that's my look at it. Gotcha. So he's your cousin too. Yeah. All right, cool. And then Joe, Jojo shining again this year. Jojo's doing big things for Handley, you know, big big shout out to him as well. Want to get him on. Haven't had him on yet. Want to get him on. Hell yeah. So uh, Manno, also, let's ask, you know, being in college, I know it's a big challenge and all that. So ultimately, what it what are you studying right now? So your bat your plan B and gets football to work out. Yes, it is so that exercise science, and then also uh what what advice would you give young kids right now coming up to get ready, you know, for high school, out of high school, I'm sorry, do you get prepare for college and the work they gotta put in? You know, playing any sport.
SPEAKER_01:Playing sports, study hard, playbook, schoolwork, and then just keep your head down and work hard. Right. Heck yeah.
SPEAKER_04:What's your favorite thing about being at school besides playing football?
SPEAKER_01:Uh seeing my family when they come up.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, they come visit, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:They come to uh all the home games and stuff.
SPEAKER_03:Nice. See now you gotta send us a schedule now. We'll get out there. I have to get Chris out of Brooklyn and you know come to a game is what we're gonna have to do, Chris.
SPEAKER_04:You should be on that. The season's like halfway over. Getting close to that.
SPEAKER_03:It ain't halfway over. How many play how many games you guys play? Total. We already played the six. Oh shoot. Dang, man. My bad. It does, it does. Geez, I guess, I guess that the older you get, time flies.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, so you got a big support system that comes down from Winchester to check you out. I'll be seeing online and stuff. They all be shouting out, going down to see Mando. Everybody's on hype, so that must be a good feeling.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir, it is. Especially coming from a small town. People still coming out to support me. So it's a great feeling.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, no matter what, you always gonna be Wing City's own, man. We're gonna we're gonna support you. Can't wait for you to get drafted one day. Even if you go undrafted, we know you're gonna make it. Just keep doing what you do out there, man. Like you said, Sunday's a relaxed day, but you're still out there grinding and getting busy.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir. Always. All right, man. I got a few more questions. So, um, how how do you handle pressure during a critical moment in a game?
SPEAKER_01:Just take deep breaths, keep focus. Really gotta lock in.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, what was your worst performance? Describe your worst force performance. If you've ever had one.
SPEAKER_01:Everybody's had one.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right.
SPEAKER_01:Probably my younger years in high school. Plenty of games, probably.
SPEAKER_03:Just learning and growing. Any specific moments that stand out?
SPEAKER_01:Oh yeah, my senior year, uh fumble the ball on the goal line.
SPEAKER_03:Man, oh, come on now. But like you say, hey, you learn from it, right? Who was that again?
SPEAKER_01:Salem.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, so that was States.
SPEAKER_01:Uh second round playoffs. Second, yeah. Right. Yep.
SPEAKER_03:So uh so what about uh are your most significant achievements and highlights in sports in your eyes?
SPEAKER_01:Uh making it to play football in college.
SPEAKER_03:There you go. And we'll say the little league championship. Yeah, gotta add that in there.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. So you were all state.
SPEAKER_01:Uh I don't think I was. I was all region. I got first team all region, running back and linebacker.
SPEAKER_04:Not even second team state?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah, second team state, I think linebacker.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. Nice, nice. Okay, so how do you stay motivated during the offseason or in times of a poor performance? How do you keep yourself motivated?
SPEAKER_01:I just know I gotta do better next time. So that's really all the motivation I need for real.
SPEAKER_03:Right. So what do you consider your greatest strength as an athlete and how does it benefit your team?
SPEAKER_01:Uh being a team player, always looking to help out a teammate.
SPEAKER_03:Nice. So, can you give an example of how you handle constructive criticism from a coach or a teammate?
SPEAKER_01:Uh just say yes, sir. Yeah. Like the next time.
SPEAKER_03:Be coachable, right? Yes, sir. Gotta be coachable. Yeah, yep. And you always have been.
SPEAKER_04:Extremely humble, man. That's that's amazing to see that. You know, somebody so young and so so talented. You still seem like you got a great head on your shoulders. You carry yourself very well, too, man. That's commendable to see that.
SPEAKER_03:That's true. Thank you. Yep. So your daily routines, can you describe like your typical day, you know, training-wise, school-wise, a typical day in your life?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, Lord. Tuesday is my most busy day. We got morning lists at 558, and I got classes throughout the day, and then lunch meetings, and then meetings later in the day before practice, and then practice, and then I'm done, and then got to study after that and get ready for the next day.
SPEAKER_03:So, how you said 558, right? Yes, sir. It wasn't 5.58. And then you have it all day.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Yep. And episode what you go to bed about what time on average every day?
SPEAKER_01:Around 11.
SPEAKER_03:So start basically at 6 a.m. and then up to 11 p.m. See, kids, it's it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work.
SPEAKER_04:You got comments on here too, man. Mike Harris most of the time. He should have played safety instead. Uh I'm not sure who some of these people are. That's over here. It says Space Spay. Oh. Yeah, people comment. Right, right.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, super small. I can't see it.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, somebody said fumbling on defense is worse.
SPEAKER_03:Fumbling on to be a dumb. So, uh, yeah, we'll we'll get to those questions, I guess. Or if people got questions for you, Mano, they can chime in too. Hopefully, fans are watching and they can chime in and ask some questions themselves. So uh on to a couple more questions. How do you manage your time effectively? But well, I already asked that. Uh but what so what's your uh pregame routine? Let's ask that.
SPEAKER_01:Uh go out on the field, stretch and stuff, and then say a little prayer and ready for the game.
SPEAKER_03:Is it is there any like uh hype music you listen to before beforehand? Any certain any certain artists or anything?
SPEAKER_01:No, a whole bunch of uh I listen to a lot of relaxing music at first before the game, and then once I'm about to get ready to take the field, turn on some rap music and get hyped up.
SPEAKER_03:There you go. That's what I say. It's like, man, you're like the calm before the storm. You're like, oh, you listen to like jazz or something, just be all cool and chill, and then go out there, and you're just an animal between the lines. So, Chris, you got any questions for him?
SPEAKER_04:I'm I'm just listening, but you said you played six.
SPEAKER_03:Chris is just a big fan. He just sits there and listen to me. He just listens to me ramble on as if so. Go ahead, Chris.
SPEAKER_04:I would say what y'all have four, four or five games left in the regular season.
SPEAKER_01:I think we have four games left.
SPEAKER_04:So, Tony, you gotta hurry up and get down there.
SPEAKER_03:I know. Damn it, I'm behind.
SPEAKER_04:Do you do you go to other games? Like, do you go to like uh basketball, volleyball, track, and all that, and watch the teams play over there?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I go to volleyball games and stuff.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, no, do you work on campus?
SPEAKER_01:No, sir.
SPEAKER_04:No, yeah, I had to work when I was there, but it was part of like the school program. I guess you they don't do that for the star. You're a star athlete, so they're like, we ain't gonna make him work.
SPEAKER_03:Not like that. Jeez. All right, so there's a more of a uh a couple more questions, man. Oh uh describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership on your team.
SPEAKER_01:Uh going out there and hyping up my team, telling them to stay locked in after we just got scored on, or after some after something bad has happened, just keeping my team motivated.
SPEAKER_03:So just keeping them positive, right? That's right. Yeah, love it. So uh have you ever mentored or helped train another athlete and describe what you did for them?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, sir. As I mentioned, uh Quante earlier, he's helped me because I want to be a personal trainer in the future. He's allowed me to uh help train uh younger athletes with him.
SPEAKER_03:Nice, so you're getting experience too as well.
SPEAKER_01:And I hold grand football camp with Coach Dwayne.
SPEAKER_04:Who's Coach Dwayne?
SPEAKER_01:Dwayne Clark.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, Big Dwayne, Clark County.
SPEAKER_03:My brother-in-law.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, because you know, because it's different when you hear young young men speaking, like even Manu saying yes, sir to me, it throws me off guard. I'm like, who's sir? Like, but yeah, all right, Big Dwayne. All right, cool. And then um, for as far as like professional, do you have any like athletes or or football players that you you try to model your game after or you enjoy watching?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, Jalen Ramsey, for sure. Pittsburgh.
SPEAKER_04:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_03:Definitely not digs for the Cowboys. I'm a Cowboys fan, but don't watch Digs.
SPEAKER_01:Sorry, I'm a Commanders fan.
SPEAKER_03:Oh man, I yeah, he's mentioned on Taylor, man.
SPEAKER_04:He said real players.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:No, I was sitting there watching the Dallas game today. Well, I watched every game, and I'm telling you, our corners don't want to hit nobody. And when they do, they come up gimpy, and I'm just like, these guys either set their soft. I want people like Manor are gonna come up and lay the wood and get right back up, you know.
SPEAKER_04:If you're playing square, that's not a good that's you know what I mean. You're already putting yourself in danger because you're just scared to get hit or be.
SPEAKER_03:I just pay attention to the details, man. Like they they don't want to hit nobody.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, so Jalen Ramsey is your favorite player in the league?
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir. Now Jalen Ramsey will hit somebody, yeah. Yeah, like he's a corner that'll come up and hit somebody. Those are the ones I want on my team. They should be a dog out there. Yeah, he's a beast. Mm-hmm. Oh, for sure.
SPEAKER_04:What about um so you say you're a commanders fan, so what, with three and two? Jaden Daniel.
SPEAKER_03:Did you watch the game today, mano?
SPEAKER_01:No, sir. Honestly, I don't really watch a lot of NFL. Like, I watch certain players, but I don't really sit down and watch a full game of it.
SPEAKER_03:See, now that's now that's another thing we've I've talked about with people. It's like a lot of you kids these days don't watch, like sit and watch games. Like my sons are the same way, like they don't sit and watch like the NBA, the NFL, nothing. Like me and Chris coming up, that's how we learned you know, by also playing, but you guys are just sit there and bring up highlights or something, and you do the same thing, like you just don't sit and watch a game, a full game. Yeah, that's true. They just think it all out.
SPEAKER_04:See, man, that means that you can say, yeah, so yeah, we old now when you look at it that way. We didn't have any of that stuff growing up.
unknown:Right.
SPEAKER_04:So you if you didn't catch up with highlights on Sports Center, you was that was it. We wasn't gonna see it.
SPEAKER_03:I don't know. It just blows my mind they don't sit and like watch a whole uh game. But I guess today's channel, like you say, they can just bring up highlights and watch highlights all that. We couldn't do that when we were coming up. We still had VHS and you know, floor model TVs and stuff. We couldn't we didn't have no cell phones or anything like that to be able to do all that stuff. So I guess in a way it makes sense. I don't know.
SPEAKER_04:Who do you keep up with D1 football-wise? Anybody or no? Uh not really. No teams that you follow that you like?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, I like uh I like Ohio State.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, you like Ohio State? In general, you like Ohio Steak? I'm just curious because you said your favorite player was Peppers, and he went to Michigan, so that's the huge rivalry.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I used to be a Michigan fan growing up, but now I like uh Jeremiah Smith.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, see, somebody chimed in, uh said I didn't watch full games as a teenager either. Keep doing your thing, man. Oh yeah, that's Julie J. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I I I love football. I watch it, I study it. Yeah, so I I gotta sit and watch games. I can't watch highlights. Maybe every once in a while, but I like watching the whole game.
SPEAKER_04:So like everything watching the football team, taking it all this year, and then he's and I was a busy young man.
SPEAKER_03:He said he'll watch the Super Bowl if Washington makes it to the Super Bowl. That's what that's what it's right, you just wait till the playoff the playoffs come around, then you then you're more interested. I've blocked into it. Right. Yep. So Mano, uh let's let's ask you a few fun questions here. All right. So who what music are you listening to? Who's your favorite artist right now? Rightway. Rideway is simple. What's your favorite movie?
SPEAKER_01:Probably Norby. Okay.
SPEAKER_03:I love that. Nice, nice. I like it. Now my phone all messed up.
SPEAKER_04:That movie's funny as shit.
SPEAKER_03:Huh?
SPEAKER_04:That movie's super funny.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, oh, you say it's underrated? Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, it's not funny.
SPEAKER_03:So uh, you probably already answered this. You already have my one of my questions. Was you who's your favorite athlete? I can probably say it myself right now.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, Jalen Ramsey.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, you've mentioned Jalen Ramsey multiple times so far.
SPEAKER_04:Man, are you built like DK Metch has?
SPEAKER_01:I'm not happy yet.
SPEAKER_04:You chiseled up and everything, man. And that comes from working out all the time. And then you like Quanta, he's he's built like that too.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Right. So uh what is your favorite meal or food? What do you like once you? I love seafood. Do you? Seafood. I just remember I got a little story. I remember uh speaking to that, and it pops in my head. I don't know if you remember, you came to practice one time and you was like, Oh coach, my stomach hurts, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, Well, what did you eat? And you was like chicken with hot sauce on it. You know, I'm like, well, let's alert chicken with hot sauce before you come to football practice.
SPEAKER_04:Leno, one of the guests wants to know what you what'd you bench?
SPEAKER_01:I bench 275.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, 275. Not bad because that how much you weigh?
SPEAKER_01:185. Hey, that's that's good.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, 100 pounds over his weight.
SPEAKER_03:My brother wants to know, Jason wants to know what's your 40 time, but backwards. Nah, but for real, what what is your 40 time right now?
SPEAKER_01:Uh I only had uh hand time. I ran a 4-4. I had the camps up to you.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, okay.
SPEAKER_04:Well, forward had super lightning speed.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:What was your fastest 40 time, Chris? Mine was like a five five flat. I didn't play four.
SPEAKER_04:I ain't gonna lie. We never did the 40s, so I don't really know to be honest. But it definitely wasn't no 40s.
SPEAKER_03:I ran I ran like a lineman. I don't know where my kids get their speed from, but it's definitely not me. I was slow as molasses.
SPEAKER_04:And when it when it comes to summer, summertime, do you go back and help out with any camps or training young younger people from the hometown area, or are you more concentrated on taking care of yourself and your body and your game right now?
SPEAKER_01:I do a little bit of everything. I help out definitely as much as I can. That's when I did the uh summer camp with Coach Sue in.
SPEAKER_03:Mm-hmm. Right. I'm gonna have to get you out there with uh my rising stars and give them a little motivational speech. Talk to them. Definitely get you out there to do that. That would be good for them.
SPEAKER_04:Rising stars, they don't have a football program, do they?
SPEAKER_03:No, no, I think they they tried it, I heard. I never knew. They tried to do it like years ago, somebody told me. They, you know, way before Wolf, all like, and it didn't go too well. Suppose like they did it like one or two seasons. I think they you know, Air Green tried to do it. So yeah, it didn't work out. So they they don't do all that. I've I've mentioned it before, but it fell on deaf ears.
SPEAKER_04:So and being a true uh uh rich shirt freshman, so you got three years left after this still to keep coming back and shining, man, and you know, get your name out there like if that other kid on your team is already getting looked by the league, that means you're probably getting looked at too, because they can go to watch certain players and then they might see you or somebody else out there and be like, damn, who's that?
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I was about to ask, I was like, do do you have colleges like other colleges looking at you right now? You know, you plan on I'm sure you plan on you know transferring, possibly, you know, you can go to Ohio State?
SPEAKER_01:Right I don't know. I'm just uh focused on this he's right now.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. Okay, I mean that's just what you know, but I'm sure hey man, in time it'll it'll come. You get you still got you know, this is your officially your first year, you know, freshman, and yeah, you got what three more years left, so it'll happen. I mean, you heard what he said. I truly believe it will.
SPEAKER_04:A kid on his team already getting looked at by the league, right?
SPEAKER_03:Right.
SPEAKER_04:And then look at Steven Daly, man. Like you said, it's not where you start or how you start, it's how you finish. Everybody has their own path. But I know from everyone see from the from the clips, and then all your friends and family that share everything, man. You've been down there shining and doing your thing. So it looks like you're making a big impact on the field, and that the team loves loves to have you on that squad.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir. Definitely.
SPEAKER_04:So many record after the first six games.
SPEAKER_01:Uh five and one.
SPEAKER_04:Man, you just went everywhere you go.
SPEAKER_03:Tragic. Jason said you're going, you're going to Notre Dame, man. Oh, that's what he said, right.
SPEAKER_04:He's a everybody wants everybody to go to their favorite school.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right, right, exactly. Yep. Well, I'm UVA, so keep them in mind, man. He's like, hell no.
SPEAKER_04:Hey, that's at Florida State.
SPEAKER_03:Yep. So, so Man O, you got any uh advice you want to give anybody? Yeah, final thoughts, shout-outs to anybody right now?
SPEAKER_01:Uh, any advice is chase me dreams, I never give up.
SPEAKER_03:Nice. And you're a prime example of that for real.
SPEAKER_04:Anything you want you want to speak about on uh in general on your own? Like, you know what I mean? This is your platform to speak to, not just us asking questions and and talking all things football with you.
SPEAKER_01:Uh no, sir. I don't really have any uh anything I want to talk about for real.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, you want to get back out there and start benching.
SPEAKER_03:Get back on the field, start working, right? Uh I mean I know it's like you gotta get up at what? Because tomorrow's Monday, you gotta get up at what time?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, I got at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, okay, gotcha. Alright. So 8 a.m. So not not too bad. Don't hurt you too bad. So, man, I wish you the best. You know, and like I say, you was one of probably one of the f favorite kids I've ever coached, and the pleasure of coaching. Uh, so keep doing your thing. Man, keep doing your thing. And don't let nobody tell you no, you're gonna hear no way more you know in life than yeses. Keep it moving, man. Because you're doing big things, and regardless of what you do, you're successful already, in my eyes. Yeah, you're you're doing big things.
SPEAKER_04:Chris, you got anything? No, I'm just reading comments, everybody shouting out, man. I'm gonna say best of luck, and yeah, the different schools everybody wants you to go to.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. They're showing you a lot of love, man.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, but man, I'll get down there to Emory and Henry and check them out or check the road schedule where they might play, might be closer to home some.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. Oh, I will, I will, I'll definitely get on there and check that out. But man, like I say, man, we're definitely following you, yeah, and following your story right now. It's it's great. I'm I'm so like I say, I can't say enough how proud I am of you. Yeah, keep and keep doing your thing. Yeah, so hey, it was a pleasure having you on, young man. And you know, hey, go get some rest, get up, get ready for school and practice tomorrow. That's it.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, keep being good. You got a whole community of people behind you, man. Like a lot of people that that are in your corner rooting for you. I see a lot of support, a lot of people that have nothing but love for you, man. And that's not just from football, that's a life in general, and it speaks volumes of your character, who you are as a person, man. So keep being great as an individual. And like you said, keep drink, keep dreaming, chase your dreams, man, and don't let nobody tell you from what you want.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir. Right, right. All right, man. I appreciate you, son. Yeah, hey, go go kill him out there. That's fair. Show them who you are. It was a pleasure having you on, man. We'll talk to you soon.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_04:Yes, sir. Wish you the best, fam.
SPEAKER_03:Well, that was Emmanuel Man O Luska and Chris. You're the pleasure having him on. Just a great, great young man.
SPEAKER_04:He's five and one, man. Everywhere he goes, they just be winning.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, right.
SPEAKER_04:Five and one, that's a beast record.
SPEAKER_03:Yep. So hey, it was a pleasure having him on. But everyone, uh yeah, go go follow Emmanuel Lusker, man, at Emory and Henry. Uh I feel that that young man, he's he's gonna do big things. Well, I mean, he has already, but even bigger, you know.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, he started in D2, man. That's nice. And he's making an impact. Like he's out there, like you said, laying the wood. I've seen highlights of him, but he's out there smacking people, knocking them out. Oh, he he just has a knack for the defensive touchdowns already.
SPEAKER_03:He just he just has a nose for the football. You know, and it's it's rare to find kids like that. You know, he just always in the right place at the right time, it seems like, you know, defensively.
SPEAKER_04:So yeah, shout out to Mano, Miss Wanda, CJ, everybody in that in that corner over there, man. I know Tony, Tony wanted to hate. I know Jason, Mike, everybody's watching. Tony wanted to hate. Talking about Washington's gonna get whooped again today, but we I don't think we did.
SPEAKER_03:We we're not we're not gonna talk about Washington.
SPEAKER_04:Louis Nell 10-9. Hey, you guys gotta win.
SPEAKER_03:You guys beat up the Jets. The Jets are freaking horrible, dude. Watching that game, they are so bad. They are so bad.
SPEAKER_04:Like, it's yeah, I wanted to say the Saints are the worst team, but they actually beat the Giants today.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah, the Saints. Yeah, that that was a shocker. Honestly, the Jets are one of the worst teams. Almost, I think they are them and the Titans.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, Titans won today, too. Did they? Yeah, they beat that team you put in on defense. What is that, Arizona?
SPEAKER_03:Are you serious?
SPEAKER_04:22-21.
SPEAKER_03:Oh well. Wow. Well, I don't know. They had a few.
SPEAKER_04:Let's get hype. Get everybody ready for Haley. Five and no, they play Kettle Run. Like you said, they might not beat what they were. What are they? Three and two.
SPEAKER_03:Uh, Kettle Run? No, they've only lost one game. They had a bye last week. So they're four and one? They lost to Millbrook. Yeah, they're four and one, I believe. Three and one, four-and-one.
SPEAKER_04:Haley gets Randy Moss suiting up this weekend, ladies and gentlemen. Y'all better get excited for that. I know I wish I could be down there to watch some games, but I'll keep up with it online when I get the chance. But Randy Moss is suiting up for Haley, and they already 5-0, and they don't even have Tristan. But y'all better get that popcorn ready, man, because Kristen Dingis is just stepping off the court and out there on the gridiron again and to be 6'4, 6'5, and add that to a team that's 5-0 already, and give that quarterback another threat to be out there with Will Yoder and everybody, man. That's that's gonna be something to see. And I know the opponents is like, shit, this guy's playing football.
SPEAKER_03:Well, Cher, yeah, I I'm excited to see him get back out there on the football field. What he hadn't played since his freshman, yeah, freshman year. He played his freshman year, and then he just hadn't played the last two years, but now he's back out there. So uh yeah, it's gonna be exciting to watch him play. I mean, 6'5, can jump just throwing. And people and a lot of people will seem to forget he knows how to play football. He played football growing up, but you know, so he just had a huge growth spurry, but the boy knows how to play football.
SPEAKER_04:Jason said, We're the we need to be the Washington judges. That's the DC theme name we need. Christian, six touchdowns, first game, gonna throw a touchdown to himself.
SPEAKER_03:There's two, you are stupid. Right.
SPEAKER_04:But nah, man, I'm hype. I know the team, the coaches, everybody's hype, man. That to have a team that's already loaded and doing well and surpassing my expectations. I didn't expect them to be five and oh, man, without Tristan. So that's you know, uh five and oh, and now you have somebody like Trishan. That's crazy.
SPEAKER_03:And what Man O said is that that's coaching.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, that guy that came over from Sharando, man. That was a great move for Haley to get him.
SPEAKER_03:And not taking anything away from the the kids out there. I mean, I mean, they still got Will Yoder out there, who's a stud. Uh Jameer Washington, he's played experience, Jojo, and then you got you know, you add in now Christian's gonna be out there. Who the hell, what are you gonna do when you got Christian on one side and Yoder on another?
SPEAKER_04:Or they're five and oh, but I think they should try to get Amari some more touches. It seems like he scores a lot of touches.
SPEAKER_03:I agree. I was about to bring up a I Amari's explosive, very explosive on the offensive end. I mean, I don't know if it's a whole thing of maybe they're saving, you know what I mean? Like now they're getting to the meat of their schedule because you know they got Kettle Run, Millbrook, Sharando, James Wood. Maybe they just saving them. You know what I mean? Like, because they really haven't had to have him out. You know, they they've been doing fine with what they've been doing.
SPEAKER_04:That's what I'm saying. They don't need Christian, but just look what they're adding this guy to that team already. That's I know they're like what I'm saying. James went to Sharando. I don't know if they know who he is. Well, they have to from basketball.
SPEAKER_03:So they they definitely know who he is.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, they're gonna be like, damn, they got a big athlete coming out right now.
SPEAKER_03:Like, yeah, especially Bill Brooks, the local schools like that. They definitely can now Kettle Run, Kettle Mutt, I don't think has a damn clue he's gonna be playing in the game. And uh, yeah, that's that's gonna be funny, honestly. Like, he's just gonna pop up out there. Uh Kettle Run probably doesn't have a damn clue who he is right there.
SPEAKER_04:Those basketball guys out there helping, though, because Isaiah Baxter's been playing well. Yes, Isaiah forgot about.
SPEAKER_03:I'm sorry, forgot about Isaiah.
SPEAKER_04:Even Kyron and them out there been been hitting people and getting in on the tackles and stuff. So, yeah, man, that'll be exciting to see Christian out there with him, man. And all those basketball guys try to win states and then take that from the gridiron to the court and try to win states over there with Coach Zach. So imagine they can win both.
SPEAKER_03:Right, right. Hey Jen, don't don't tip off get a run whistleblower. Bro, trust, they probably already know the word the word gets around quick in the coaching world. It's like one coach is already like, oh, I saw Christian on the sideline for you know, is he play? So they they all talk. Word gets around fast.
SPEAKER_04:Trust me. I ain't worried about no cuttle run. I don't even know who the hell cuttle run is. I heard of them, but they they wasn't around when we was young, so that's why I'm like, I don't really know who those guys are.
SPEAKER_03:Uh no. They're where Bilton. Out where uh Liber Falk here's like Falkirk. Basically, yeah, out of that era. Liberty. It's basically they built it. I I think they're pretty close, actually.
SPEAKER_04:Kettle Runner closer to Builton than it is Warrington.
SPEAKER_03:Hmm, I'd have to look it up. Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:But they've been good, they've been whooping Haley over the years recently, right?
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah. That Kettle Run's been a a good program ever since brilliantly they opened however many years ago. I think so. They they've definitely got the athletes. To me, I just compare to the same thing as like remember when they built Sharando and Sharando got all the athletes, you know what I mean? Like that was Kettle Run when it was. Because remember the those tap scots, right? They all went to Liberty. The fed now they're all at Kettle Run. The way coming up.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, they went to Liberty and Falkir, the Tapscots, Damon, Desmond, Darren, and Danielle. They they that whole family's a star star athletes. And look, so Jason said he he only knows kettle chips. Mike said he's got the much. Who's Al Space Bay?
SPEAKER_03:I don't know. Who is it?
SPEAKER_04:I know football.
SPEAKER_03:I love show your face. So anyway, Chris, hey, let's end this. We're going on uh 10 o'clock here. Everyone, hey, please like again. Glad to have on Emmanuel Mano Luska, you know, on the show. Great kid. Everyone, please subscribe to our man. Yeah, he is very great kid. So everyone, please subscribe, you know, to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Facebook.
SPEAKER_04:They're watching us. They're like, where's that kid Zeb at?
SPEAKER_03:Wow. Yeah, where's Zeb? Zeb's running from it right now.
SPEAKER_04:I don't want no ice when I go out.
SPEAKER_03:So anyway, all right, everyone. That's our show. Chris, it's been fun as usual. And uh everyone, we're probably we will plan on right, correct, this Thursday. As usual, regularly scheduled program that back to Thursday. We adjusted for mano like we will any guest. So it like I say, we'll be back on Thursday. Everyone, uh, enjoy the rest of your night, and thanks for tuning in.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, anybody that wants to get on the show, speak anything you want to speak about, what you have going on for yourself, your your work, your family, community, or you just want to get on and talk shit, man. Let us know. We'd love to have anybody, man, and come speak your peace about whatever it is you got going on. So, Mike, that that includes you too, man. Everybody that's watching, we appreciate y'all watching and chiming in, man. But yeah, you guys know anybody? Because we what who we got coming up? Chris West, Mike R. Carl Rush. We got some people coming up, but there's still slots open for people, man. So hit us know what's going on.
SPEAKER_03:All right, all right, everyone. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see everyone on Thursday.
SPEAKER_00:No stylist, everybody good luck, good luck.
