Lola Karimi ’25
EE Staff Writer
The varsity football team only takes a week break at the end of the season before they start gearing up for the next. The team meets three days a week for two hours for weight training. On off days, a group of skill position players stay after school to run routes on the field.
“In order to be competitive, football training can’t stop when the season ends”, said sophomore Chase Marsilius, “This winter training is important as it keeps us focused, working together and perfecting our plays”.
In addition, some boys participate in a passing league where they play teams from surrounding towns.
Goals for the upcoming season look different for every player, but they all have one thing in common: winning. Incoming junior Chase Marsilius trains three times a week for two hours with his quarterback trainer, making mechanical adjustments, working on footwork, and doing lifts that improve his overall athleticism and make him more explosive.
“I have noticed huge improvements on all aspects of my game”, said Marsilius. “I strive to be the hardest worker on the field”.
Chase’s goal is to be the school’s Varsity quarterback.
“This season I have many personal goals set that I am trying to achieve but I believe that winning games, making a deep playoff run, and being a leader on the team is more important than having stat goals. Having a positive impact on my teammates is something that is really important to me”, Marsilius, added.
Chase is not the only one working to be a leader on the team. Sophomore Owen Swenson is also working with a personal trainer to have a second great year on varsity. Owen is following in the footsteps of his Captains, and also close teammates to be his best next season. He looks up to them for advice and leadership.
“The captains are doing a great job setting an example for everybody and they inspire me to work harder knowing they are”, Swenson said.
The captains of the 2022-2023 season know these boys need guidance on how to get even further this season. They use the saying “Final Flight” to motivate the underclassman and upcoming seniors. The biggest change for this season was everyone’s attitude.
“We hated what happened last year and everyone worked really hard and bought into the program so we could be better this year”, Captain Jordan Black, a senior, said.
In addition to captains, all seniors want to leave the upcoming varsity players with a message.
“Don’t take anything for granted and enjoy every second of playing because it goes by fast and me and all the guys still wish we were out there playing together”, said senior Luca Antonio. “My first year playing football at Trumbull high was unforgettable. It was the most fun I’ve had playing a sport throughout my whole life. The team and our bond was awesome, we were so close and it showed on the field with how well we played together.”
Luca is working on perfecting his routes and putting on more weight before he goes off to continue his football career at college.
“The only message I’d have for the team was I’m so proud of all my teammates –I couldn’t have asked for any better– we became a family and bought into a winning culture”, said Captain Hunter Agosti. “In the meantime I’ve been helping call plays in the winter passing league and still going to the field with my guys to help them get work in”.
“Biggest thing I’ve learned as a captain is to always to set the best example of yourself because your representing a entire program and that people look up to you”, Agosti, a senior, added.
Teamwork is extremely important to the team going into the next season so the team makes an effort to train together; the closer you are off the field, the better you are on. Rowan Johnston, incoming senior captain, looks to guide the team to be better as a collective unit.
“This year, me and the captains would like everyone to become a better man, on the field, off the field, in the weightroom and in the classroom”, Johnston said. “Everyone is serious about this season, not just sitting around in the weightroom and not playing in practice. That’s the difference.”