The middle school football team has had tremendous success this past season. Not only did they win games, but they blew their opponents off the field. Scoring over 40 points in back to back games may be unheard of for some schools, but not the middle school football team.
Like most schools, Trinity Prep students praise their sports programs. Whether it be football, cross country, tennis, or track, most students shape their schedule around the athletic event in the afternoon. Some sports do not get as many fans as others. The middle school football team finished second in their league. The boys even conquered longtime rival Lake Highland Prep after six years since last defeating them. Despite all of this, they are still one of the most unrecognized teams on campus.
Led by running backs Austin Campbell and Tyler Caggiano, the middle school team finished this season as one of the most successful Middle School football teams in years.
Do not expect seasons like this to be rare. Captain Austin Campbell said that there are many sixth and seventh graders that will lead the team to victory next year. “Josh Nemec, our starting quarterback, is only in seventh grade,” he said. “He will be a true leader as an eighth grader next year. Carter Rhoden, a linebacker and offensive and defensive lineman, has been a big part of our defense and I know he will be feared next year. As for sixth graders, Matthew Zipay and Ikee Evans are very dominant. Ikee is a great linebacker and Matthew is a dangerous running back.”
Middle school coach Scott Sukup is also very optimistic about the upcoming season. “I expect great things from our sixth and seventh graders,” he said. “I am so excited I could start the 2013 season tomorrow. This was the first time in five years sixth and seventh graders started in several positions on both sides of the ball. It will be exciting to see them grow and develop the next two years.”
Co-captain Tyler Caggiano thinks that Campbell was the team’s most valuable player this season. “(Campbell) comes ready to play every game and I respect that as a player,” he said. Over the course of the season, Campbell had 12 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 15 PATs, countless tackles and 2 field goals, including one from 45 yards.
Though they wish they could, these eighth graders can not stay on the middle school team forever. Next year, they will make the hard transition to the varsity team, fighting to play with seniors and freshmen alike. Though starting on varsity as a freshman is difficult, it is not impossible. Jared Herron, a current ninth grader, is starting linebacker for the Saints.
Campbell believes that offensive lineman Davis Oliver and wide receiver Fernando Neris have potential to start next year because of their size. Austin and Tyler may not have the same luck. Three of the running backs for the varsity team, Michael Wartski, Jared Herron, and Gabe Thomas, will still be underclassmen next year so Campbell and Caggiano will probably have to wait their turn.
Their season may be over and they are looking towards next year, but these boys will never forget their time on the middle school team. Beating rivals Lake Highland 28-0 will be a memory that will stay with them forever. Caggiano, Campbell, and Sukup all agreed that the Lake Highland game was their favorite game to be a part of. Caggiano describes the game as competitive and ultimately victorious. Campbell looks back at his 160 all-purpose yards and scoring a total of 25 of Trinity Prep’s 27 points. Sukup looks at the game from a different angle. “You are always glad to get those wins over Lake Highland and First Academy,” he said. “But in my perspective, they don’t happen enough. One of my goals as head middle school football coach was to beat Lake Highland and First Academy in the same season, and do it with consistency.”
Former Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller shared his thoughts on high school football. “I can remember almost every single game in high school. It’s like seared in my brain,” he said.
Former middle school players should not look at this as an end to something great, just the beginning of more memories.
