PITTSFORD N.Y. – Through bagpipes, a local high school football player shines on and off the field.

Jake Rickett a senior at Pittsford-Sutherland High is also a center for the Pittsford Panthers football team.

Possessing qualities that make his sisters and parents proud, his dad Matt, describes him as, “A very level-headed kid,” while his mom, Missi said, “He’s going to be there for his family and his friends.”

For his parents, he continues the tradition of bagpiping through his Scottish roots.

His father tells Spectrum News, “Years ago, there were three of us who were going to learn how to play the bagpipes, my bother myself and a friend of ours. That friend passed away in 2010 and Jacob stepped up,”

“He essential said you guys started with three people, you should finfish with three, I’ll take his place and learn how to play the bag pipes with ya’,” Matt said.

Jake was 11-years-old at the time when he made the conscious decision to play.

Subsequently, the Scottish trio went on to perform six years and counting from the Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums, many Honor Flight Welcome Home ceremonies and even at  Jake’s Senior Night game, Friday.

After graduation, Jake says he’s set on becoming a firefighter, which will make him a fourth generation in the family to do so.

“I was taught through football that giving is always better than receiving so I want to try and give back to my community as much as I can,” Jake explains.