The path to success for many football teams is found within the offensive line, which consists of two offensive tackles, two guards, and a center. At Forest Hills Eastern (FHE), the team has prioritized building up its front seven, and no one displays that ideal more than right guard Ace Simonson (’25). Attendees of FHE football games will often see Simonson’ pancaking’ his opponents, knocking them down with no mercy. However, this tremendous success only arose due to failure, hard work, and determination. As a child, Simonson’s passion was the game of soccer. After nearly eight years of perfecting his craft, he made the ‘C’ team for three years straight in middle school. Despite the disappointment, Simonson maintained his competitive nature and dedication to athletics, which eventually led him to shift his focus to a sport he felt would better utilize his size and length: football. This decision, fueled by determination, played a pivotal role in the growth of FHE’s football program. It prompted six years of hard work that Simonson hopes will shine during his senior year and at the collegiate level. Even amid initial setbacks, Simonson’s dedication to his sport is truly inspiring, a testament to his perseverance and commitment to excellence.
As a three-year varsity starter, Simonson has high aspirations for his team and his own game. In his sophomore year, he started at right tackle for the Hawks before transitioning to right guard for the remainder of his high school career. As a junior, Simonson earned first-team all-state honors and Michigan’s all-dream team honorable mention. Those who know Simonson understand that this success did not come easy. When asked to who he attributes his success, the guard claims, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the consistent support from my parents and Coach Brian Paulsen, a Power Strength Training Systems trainer who pushed me to reach my maximum potential.” Simonson emphasized the need to utilize off-season time effectively. He maintains an appropriate diet, attends Power Strength workouts four times a week, and consistently works to keep his body healthy. His advice for younger kids during the off-season is to “attack every day with consistency.” Simonson’s recognition of the importance of collaborative leadership as a team captain, again citing Coach Paulsen as a valuable mentor in developing leadership skills, is truly invaluable.
Simonson’s skills on the field are impressive; however, what makes the player truly special is his unparalleled combination of those skills and his academic drive. Throughout his high school career, Simonson has maintained above a 3.8 GPA while challenging himself with multiple honors and AP courses. Consequently, as a sophomore, he earned Academic All-State honors. One of his teachers describes him as a “philosophical thinker with unique athletic gifts.” His academic drive comes from “[his] desire to be successful and support a family in my future.” As a teammate that many peers look up to, Simonson’s drive helped push his teammates to achieve academically. In 2023-2024, the FHE Hawks football team earned one of the most prestigious honors in high school: All-State Academic Team. This achievement is a testament to the culture that Coach Joe Schwander, assistant coaches, and leaders like Simonson have built.
As he begins his senior year of football, Simonson has some challenging yet exciting decisions ahead. He has received offers to continue playing football at Davenport, Wayne State, and Ferris State University. However, he has yet to sign on the dotted line and is still gaining interest from Grand Valley State University and Pittsburgh University. Each program allows Simonson to compete against some of the best competition in the state, the Midwest, and the country. Simonson emphasizes his desire for a program that “has a positive culture and develops effectively.” Wherever he continues his playing career, Simonson’s classmates and teammates are confident that his work ethic will ignite “tremendous success.”
