WEBSTER, Fla.  - There aren't many high school kids busier than Jozef Heijkoop. While many juggle classes like he does, he also balances being a senior leader for the South Sumter football and working on the family farm.

• South Sumter football player goes to school and works on family farm
• Works on dairy farm after school and shows cows on the weekends
• Starting linebacker and Raiders' senior captain this year

“I love it, because on a dairy farm, it’s not like it’s a 9-to-5 job, even though you might go home for a little bit," Heijkoop said. "There’s always something to do.”

The 17-year-old has spent his entire life surrounded by cows. He is a fourth-generation farmer and learned everything he knows from picking up duties on his parents' farm in Webster.

“When he was still in diapers, he would follow me around. Obviously it couldn’t be on a regular daily basis, but he certainly grew right up in it if you will,” his father Johan said.

Not long after, he developed a passion for football. Initially hesitant, his family eventually gave in to his requests to play after he promised his mother he wouldn't get injured.

But after managing his farm duties and the sport for several years, Jozef had to take a break eventually.

“My sophomore year of high school, I decided not to play because I wanted to be more active on the farm,” he said.

He began to show cows in hopes of raising money for college, but the football itch was still strong. After some deliberation, he decided to pull double-duty again. This fall Heijkoop was named a senior captain  at South Sumter.

“Being a senior captain, I was really thankful for that, and I just go out there and try to work my butt off, and try to have the work ethic and just lead the team,” he said.

“He’s certainly maybe a little calmer and quieter off the field than he is in the game," his father added.

"Something probably happens when he straps on that helmet, but certainly dedicated to what he does and goes after everything with a passion.”

And while football is fleeting, Heijkoop is set on having fun on the field this year. He knows that his future is where the cows are, following in the footsteps of his family. 

“My goal out of college, I’d like to go to a smaller farm that’s kinda out of date or not doing as well," the senior said. "My goal, I always thought, would be to just crank it up and make it the best and make a difference.”