SEFFNER, Fla. - Nolan Troyer isn’t your typical Armwood Hawk.

This Hawk shies away from the spotlight. But Nolan is the center of attention on an impressive offensive line.

"He is the guy who can bring it all ," Armwood head coach Even Davis said. "He does it all for us."

  • Armwood hosts Lakeland in a regional final matchup Friday at 7:30 p.m.
  • Lakeland is the Class 7A defending state champs.
  • The Hawks have advanced to the state championship game five of the past six seasons.

Armwood High’s starting center does more than open up lanes for the running game or buy time for his quarterback. He brings an infectious attitude that is integral to the Hawks success.

"You gotta be there for your brother, the guy next to you," Nolan said. "And you gotta want to succeed as a team."

Meet Armwood’s old soul. Nolan’s 17 years of age belies his wisdom on and off the football field.

"Offensive line teaches you a lot about, not only football, but in life," he said. "I mean, you can’t be selfish for those around you in order to succeed."

This senior strives for success in the classroom too. But not your typical classroom. Nolan is home schooled.

"We do it because we think it’s the best thing for our children," Nolan's mother Sonya Troyer said. "We love being a family, we love being together all the time and we just feel this is the best thing for our kids."

The day begins early with school work, all the Troyers gathered around the kitchen table, working on a variety of subjects. Mom Sonya oversees their progress, answering questions and offering advice. And she’s not the only one. Just as he does on the Hawks offensive line, as the oldest of six, Nolan sets the tone for his brothers and sister.

"I like teaching them being better each and every other day and showing them what to do next and how to do it," Nolan said. "They can always come to me for anything and I’ll always help them out."

When the school day ends, Nolan’s football day begins. The Troyer’s pile into a van and then they head off to Armwood where Nolan wraps up a long day with practice.

"It overwhelms me," Sonya Troyer said. "I mean it is just amazing how smart he is, how much he knows the game, how he just lets his players know what’s going on and where to go and what to do. How he reads the game is just amazing to me."

Nolan is a student of the game. He collects playbooks, notebooks he fills up with original plays he designs. He’s big on RPO’s. He also pours over countless hours of film in preparation for games.

"It’s his passion," Davis said. "He’s a football coach. He’s an X’s and O’s guy. That’s what he loves to do. That’s what he’s about."

Nolan lives by the mantra that nothing is given, it is earned. All of the work, all of the preparation has led him to this point in the season. In one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Armwood and Lakeland will face off in the Class 7A regional finals. The winner advances to the state semifinals.

"I can’t believe we’re already in the third round of the playoffs," Nolan said. "The season has flown by and I just think each and every day I want to spend another day with my brothers. I don’t want this to be the last day.

"I don’t want this to be the last rep. I want to stay as long as I can with my brothers on the team and go as far as we can.