2025 Interview with Ashton Linsinbigler Reading High School, Reading, PA

 

Ashton Linsinbigler

Reading High School, Reading, PA

WR/CB/FS

2026

6’0, 185 lbs

Jersey Number: #26

Awards won or earned: Honor Roll, Merit Roll, No athletic awards yet.

HUDL LINK: https://www.hudl.com/v/2Pm08f

Post a small recap of last season with personal highlights and any other big moments you have and memories you have from last season, whether it be a game, the bus ride to or from the game, or any other thing that sticks out.

Last season I had my first touch on kickoff return as I lined up and waited for the kick, and they kicked it to me, and I brought it all the way to the 50. I didn’t have big highlights, but I did have some good ones where I had a touchdown in our scrimmage vs. Fleetwood in a deep 50/50 ball in the end zone. I had a few key pieces where I caught the ball for some yards or some good blocks and pancakes around and saw progress in myself and plan on seeing the field a lot more senior year and having more highlights and things to talk about!

With this being your final high school football season, have you prepared any differently during the off-season?

I have taken in the thought of being a starter and what it takes to be an upcoming top player on the team, and I think holding myself accountable to being an athlete during the offseason by hitting the field and working on becoming better and getting some teammates to come out and get some work in as well is a way to build relationships and build a stronger brotherhoodand chemistry, so I have been out getting work in and helping younger kids out to become better and to better myself as well on and off the field.

What will you miss the most from the 2025 class?

Something I will miss about the 2025 class is the hype and moments they would bring to games. They would be fired up no matter our record. We would always try to keep our heads up no matter the score and push harder the next game, and they would bring the hype in the locker room and have a great pregame hype speech.

What was the highlight of the 2024 season?

I think the highlight of the season is when we played J.P. McCaskey. The first play of the game, we returned the ball, and the returner had the ball and ran all the way. As he was running the ball, I had a block for him, and he ran around me, and it was the last man to beat, and he took it all the way to the crib and scored. As it did get called back, we still scored on the game-opening drive, and it was still a moment we all were hyped for and came into the game with that hype, which gave us the hype to come out with the win 38-14.

What was the toughest part of the 2024 season?

The toughest part of the season is coming off a 2-8 record. There were so many games we came close to winning and could’ve ended with a better record, but we beat ourselves, and I think we let the seniors down for that. Although that’s the past, CO’ 26 plans on having a better season as we have a chip on our shoulder looking to come out with some more W’s and a better record, possibly making the EFC or making the playoffs after many years and showing the city we are the team we used to be—we just never had that chance!

What is the worst part of the first day of practice?

The worst part of our first practice is we don’t know what to expect, and a lot of people are unconditioned and need to work on conditioning more to be ready for in-game if we play both ways or they need us here and there, but also just to expect the unexpected all in all.

What is the best part of the first day of practice?

The best part of the first practice is that although we don’t know what to expect, you could find out there are new coaches or new plays or whatnot, but it’s also the fun of getting to learn new things with new players and upcoming athletes that you may or may not have played with before, and that’s the fun of being able to experience it and build a brotherhood all together and working hard day in and day out.

Who is the first teammate who will get vocal if practice is not going well?

The first person or people to get vocal will be QBs or seniors because those are the kids who have been here long enough to know what to do and what not to do, and if we are talking or not doing what we are supposed to, a QB, who is a leader, or a senior usually always calls the team out to be better or do things better.

Who is the best player that you have faced in a game, along with the team he was on?

Personally, I haven’t had enough time to talk about this or have a say in this, but we have had some good competition, like Deandre Jones (McCaskey WR) or someone like Michael Glover (Wilson TE).

What are your thoughts on girls playing football?

I never had a problem with girls playing football. I think it’s great. If they want to play it, let them. They could have dreams like us, and not all girls get these opportunities, which is why I think if a girl wants to play, she should be able to no matter if she is good or not. Everyone should get treated the same way with love and respect in all phases of this sport, no matter the gender!

Where should the state finals be held?

I think the state finals should be held in a big place where people would love to go. It’s a great thing to go to; it’s like a Super Bowl. A lot of people compete for these things and work for these things. I think it should be held in a popular place like Lincoln Financial Field or Hershey Stadium. Places like these are big enough for many fans and families to come watch their players play and ball out on the final stage.

After the season is over, if you earn an invite to any of the all-star games, will you play?

I would love to play in an All-Star game. I would love to go out there 1 more time and give it my all before I go off to college, or even if it’s my last ever football game, to leave it all on the field and give it my all! It would be a great, lovely opportunity, and I would take the opportunity to do it!

What is the strongest part of your game?

I think the strongest part of my game is my mentality; whether we are winning games or losing games, I stay humble. I know what it feels like to lose and win, so I know how it feels to be the opposing team and how they could be feeling. I would also say my QB is a strong part of my game. We have been together for 12 years now since youth and have developed the best chemistry in years, and I think if we work hard enough together, we could go out and get some wins this year, not just us two but as a team and a brotherhood.

Who is your favorite athlete?

I have 2-3 favorite athletes currently: Bryce Young, Jaycee Horn, and Adam Thielen. As a Panthers fan, we aren’t that good, but these 3 show great leadership and what it’s like to be humbled and come off bad games and injuries and play better. They all have had great opportunities and took them and now are very possibly 3 great players I think anyone would love to be around!

What is your favorite sports movie or show?

My favorite sports movie as a kid was always Game Time. I used to always watch it with The Rock and his daughter and the bond they created after a while, and she was there for him, as was he. As I grew up, it definitely became The Waterboy. Adam Sandler shows in the movie how you can expect the unexpected and not know it at all.

 

 

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