By Aaryan Doshi – Staff Reporter 

Senior Michael Merchant is a key player on both the baseball and football teams at Jonathan Law. 

In his sophomore season as a pitcher, Merchant committed to play Division 1 baseball at Rutgers. Merchant got into football when he was younger because his brothers both played and taught him how to play. 

“When I committed, I felt very proud of myself and very grateful for the coaches to give me the opportunity and it was very awesome celebrating with my family and friends,” Merchant said.

Merchant likes to play safety in football because it is similar to baseball. He likes to be behind everyone on defense and make great plays, and he credits his coaches for helping him get ready to play. 

“Our coaches help us every day by working on many things that are making us better daily and preparing us for the future,” Merchant said. 

Merchant brings leadership to the baseball and football field by helping his teammates fix their mistakes.

“Michael is a good team player because he helps teach the younger players how to be better and play their position the right way,” Senior Cameron Upchurch said. “Michael works with his teammates by telling them what they are doing wrong and the right way to do things.”

Merchant’s goal for football is to win on senior night and celebrate with his friends and teammates. 

“Michael just does what helps the team, no matter what is asked on and off the field,” Senior Christian Galligan said. “He’s always rooting for his teammates, no matter what, and he always has faith in his teammates.” 

His goal for baseball is to make it farther than they did last year and win the state championship game. Merchant has helped his team by doing his job and focusing on the good, not the bad.

“What makes me a great team player is that I do what I need to do and I help the kids that are younger than me that are trying to learn how to play,” Merchant said. 

Merchant’s coaches believe he is a role model to the younger players.

“Michael, particularly this past summer, has taken a number of the younger players under his wing,” Assistant Baseball Coach Mr. McPartland said. “He has set up a few captain’s practices to best prepare our guys for the upcoming season.”

Merchant helps kids and players learn the fundamentals and he gets people to join him for summer practices with other captains. 

“Michael is a good team player because he picks people up on the bench if they did something bad and always keeps everyone happy,” Sophomore Aiden Ramos said. “ During the off-season, he gets people together to go to the field and hit and he offers rides to people who don’t have them.”