Inside the Huddle: Senior Night

Here it is. Senior night, the last home game the rest of this senior class and I will ever play at home. Going through the program over here at Sachem East and completing your high school football career is truly an honor and something to be proud of.

It’s not an easy thing, it’s very demanding, and time consuming. Football is something that requires 100 percent commitment not some of the time, but all of the time. This is a very special thing for me, and it will always be a part of my life. No matter where I end up in this world I will always represent Sachem East football and all that it has done for me as a man.

I truly do love this program and have dedicated my entire life to it, from the moment I became a part of it in the summer going into tenth grade. Since then I have made friends and memories that will last forever. My best friends, and people that I would die for are on this team with me, and this Friday night will be the last time I put on the black uniforms and go to war with them on our home turf.

The last time I will ever play in front of the home crowd that has been so great to us the whole way, from 0-8 to 4-0 to our last three losses, you guys have always supported us and for that I would like to thank you. We truly do appreciate every one of you guys that come out and support us week after week.

This program is more than just a couple of coaches and players to me. It is a true family, from top to bottom that I have learned to love. I remember as a sophomore when I first started working out with everybody, I didn’t really know anyone. That didn’t stop anyone from making me feel accepted and like I was a part of something special. I remember older guys that I looked up to and idolized as an underclassman, people that took me under their wing, and motivated me day in and day out. Guys like Gerry Ahearn, Steve Sperry, Chris DiIorio, and Lucas Brum, I thank them so much, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. These men helped me through all the hard times of learning the game and becoming a football player. Lucas Brum is a lineman that I really wanted to be like ever since I saw him play when I was a freshman. I’ll never forget last year when he would drive me home all the time when I needed a ride, and then he would even workout with me at Steel Fitness in the offseason to help me prepare for this year. He is a man that I can honestly say helped me get to the level that I am at today; he is someone I looked up and tried my best to be like as a player.

That is what this program is all about though, it’s a family, and that is what we do for each other. This Friday night is my time though, and hopefully when I graduate there is a kid just like I am right now saying how much I meant to him. All the wins, losses, stats don’t really mean anything to me in the long run. What means the most to me is that if I was able to touch somebody and motivate them to work their hardest. If I was able to teach a lesson to an underclassman or inspire somebody in any way possible to be a better person, then I feel my job is complete.

Besides all the senior night activities this is a huge game. Emotions were running high all game long. I absolutely love everything about this program and a win means that I get to put on the Sachem jersey another day. It means that my class has played a role in rebuilding the program for the better. It means playoffs, an accomplishment that will bring hope and faith to my community, program, friends, and family. Coming where we came from, to getting to where we hope to be at the end of this game, would be a huge stepping stone, and a true success story. None of this can happen without hard work, blood, sweat, and tears that this class has poured into this program. Believe me when I tell you that the men in this senior class, and the bond that we have is something very special. I just hope that we have the opportunity to prove it to everyone on the big stage next week.