Johnny Koepp

Bishop Lynch RB

You're averaging 199 rushing yards over your last four games – all wins. What's the reason you're doing so well?

I guess we're starting to believe in each other, and we're all coming together as a team. When we got beat in a couple of games, we had our heads down. And then our offensive coach started putting plays in that worked, and we came together.

You're also a top wrestler who finished third at nationals last year. Which is your favorite, football or wrestling?

I enjoy football more, but wrestling's my [best] sport. I don't have as much pressure on me when I play football. When I wrestle, everyone's looking at me like the one to beat. I have to live up to expectations.

Does wrestling help with football?

It helps a ton – speed and balance, and probably awareness.

Does football help with wrestling?

I haven't figured that out yet because I'm not wresting right now, but I think so. It's gotten my legs a lot stronger, so I think it does.

Wrestlers have to be in such great shape. Are football players lightweights in comparison?

I wouldn't say they're lightweights, but they don't work as hard. In wrestling, we practice non-stop. In football, you practice, you get a break, you practice, you get a break.

Which is worse, two-a-days in August or the wrestling room in January with the heat cranked up.

That's a tough question. I'd say they're about equal. I could barely get through both of them.