From the Bench - Meet the North Haven Football Captains

North Haven CT

09 September, 2021

2:10 PM

Description

I remember when I was coaching youth football in North Haven. During our practice I would glance over to look at the younger kids playing. Even then I notice that Matt Dodge and MJ DeVilliers Jr. were leaders. They were calling plays, running patterns and telling the other kids where to line up. Now they are the co-captains for the North Haven High School football team. Let's meet the captains! Name - Matt Dodge # - 10 Position - Quarterback, Cornerback Height - 5'10 Weight - 150 Graduation Year - 2022 Sports you play in High School - Football How many hours a week in the preseason are you working out? CIAC allows 3 hours a day. How hard was it to stay focused when last season was cancelled? It was tough to stay motivated when your next game was over a year away. Were you into sports when you were little? I played football baseball basketball and lacrosse growing up. Future Plans - Going to college. Who is the person or people that keep you going when the times get rough? My family and my teammates. Who is your favorite sports player? Eli Manning What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? Any Taylor Swift song. What is your favorite movie about sports? Friday Night Lights What is your favorite dinner? Cheeseburger Favorite Snack before or after games? Buffalo chicken caesar wrap Greatest moment on the field… My first varsity start sophomore year Advice to younger players - Keep your grades up Name - MJ DeVilliers Jr # - 14 Position - TE, OLB Height - 5'7 Weight - 175 Graduation Year - 2022 Sports you play in High School - Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor track How many hours a week in the preseason are you working out?Close to 40 with practices, weight lifting on my own time, and field work on my own time How hard was it to stay focused when last season was cancelled?To be honest it kind of made me MORE focused. I had lost an opportunity to show what I can do on the field and play the sport I love for a quarter of my high-school career. It lit a fire inside of me to work as hard as possible to make my senior year the best year possible. Were you into sports when you were little?Yes, VERY. I grew up playing many different sports, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, karate Future Plans - Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Sports Medicine. Who is the person or people that keep you going when the times get rough?Thinking of my grandma really helps. I think to myself "would she be proud if I stopped here? If I give in to the pain now?" Who is your favorite sports player?Kam Chancellor And DK Metcalf What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?Any song by Skimask the slump god What is your favorite movie about sports?42 What is your favorite dinner?Mom's lasagna Favorite Snack before or after games?Watermelon Greatest moment on the field…Getting an interception against the varsity quarterback on a Friday night as a sophomore Advice to younger players -To never be satisfied, to always want to work harder, and to lead even if you're not the captain, the fastest, or the strongest. Just Lead. From the Bench wishes both captains and the entire North Haven Football program all the best in 2021. Mark Curcio From the Bench