Beginning his senior year, Northampton wide receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Strowder has overcome his share of obstacles.

One of the biggest things he had to overcome was moving from Texas to Sweden in second grade. Strowder migrated to the Lehigh Valley in the summer before seventh grade.

“One of the biggest things I had to overcome was the move to Texas,” said Strowder. “I had to adapt to the language and traditions in a foreign country.”

His football career began in eighth grade when Zion McKinney, a current Northampton quarterback and longtime friend, encouraged him to join.

“He spoke to me about it at basketball practice,” said Strowder. “And it sparked my interest.”

However, football didn’t always come easy.

“The biggest thing I had to overcome was handling adversity in the game,” stressed Strowder. “It took a while for my coaches to notice what I was capable of.”

Yet, Strowder had a positive outlook.

“I’ve always been a pretty confident person when it comes to sports due to my high work ethic and drive,” said Strowder. “However, when it comes to specifically football I gained enormous confidence once my ability was recognized by coaches in practices, and halfway through last season I began getting reps with the starting offense.”

Last season, Strowder began to see himself in a more developed role, and it has carried into this summer.

“I became truly confident of everything,” recalled Strowder. “This preseason, I’m really carrying that momentum over in order to be successful collectively with the team and everything.”

Head coach John Toman is optimistic that Strowder can turn the corner. Toman plans to utilize his track star’s speed. Strowder runs the 400 and participates in the triple jump.

“He is one of few returners with offensive production from last year,” said Toman. “He can take the top off the defense with his type of speed. We will utilize him in various ways offensively.

“He will contribute this year as a defensive back giving us depth on that side. He competes at a high level which is evident in his track career.”

Strowder has a similar vision for his season. He sees a strong sense of chemistry among his teammates.

“I see myself as a significant playmaker this year by contributing not only at slot and wide receiver, but by also getting some action on defense, which I haven’t in years prior to this one,” said Strowder. “The chemistry between all of us is definitely a working progress due to last years’ seniors graduating. However, this isn’t a worry of mine as we’re consistent and have gotten simultaneously better over the course of the summer.”