ANDOVER — Any college football coach will tell you, there’s a spot at the next level somewhere for anyone in high school … if you really want it.
Wednesday night on the turf at Andover High’s Lovely Field, over 100 Merrimack Valley Conference football underclassmen took their initial steps on that journey, looking to catch the eye of one of the dozens of college coaches gathered at the first-ever Merrimack Valley Conference Football Showcase.
“College football is my dream. And this is a good way to get that dream started,” said Lawrence High two-way lineman Jariel Atiles.
The event, a brainchild of new Andover High head coach Jay Fielding and immediately endorsed by the coaches over the MVC, drew rave reviews from athletes and coaches alike.
“It was a great time. I loved competing today. A lot of guys showed up. We did what we could out there. I had a couple pancakes out there on bags, so it was good,” said Central Catholic sophomore tackle Brian Waller-Reitano, an Eagle-Tribune All-Star last fall.
“There was definitely a lot of college coaches here. I was a little anxious. I want to show out. I want to make a name for myself. Hopefully, I did that tonight.”
Football remains different than the other sports. There really is no AAU or club-level competition. Most athletes are recruited on their physical skills they display in events like this one and off the film they post during the high school season.
Promoting themselves is a team effort, with coaches and athletes seeking out the best fits in order to choose where to at least start the next phase of their football development.
“I want to show the coaches what I have. I feel like I’m a little underrated when it comes to New England football,” said Methuen High linebacker Vinny DeMaio, an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in football and wrestling.
“I want to showcase my skills and let the college coaches know about me. I’m very quick, and I’m the hardest worker. I just want to show my toughness.”
The athletes took part in physical testing and drills specific to their positional groups with the college coaches from Divisions 1,2 and 3 getting an up-close look.
“I enjoyed this. I love playing this sport, I enjoyed everything, all the workouts and drills, everything,” said Atiles. “I enjoyed hanging with all the kids from the different schools, it was a good time. These are kids I played against during the season, we have good sportsmanship. It was all good.”
Afterwards on the field, the players inter-mingled with the college coaches, introducing themselves and hopefully spreading the word about their future plans.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, too,” said Bentley University coach CJ Scarpa of Andover, who was no stranger to huge performances on that turf during his Golden Warrior days.
Is there pressure to perform? Sure, at least a little, but the football players from the MVC are notoriously competitive and embraced the challenge.
“I’ve had a lot of big moments through football and wrestling this year, so I wasn’t nervous,” said DeMaio. “I’m just excited to compete, hoping to have fun with our guys and I’m hoping they get the chance to show off their skills.”
The event is the first of its kind for public school leagues in Massachusetts. It was free to the MVC student-athletes, a super tool to help the league’s coaches fight to keep their kids at home.
“It was a great night, but now it’s just a matter to keep working and get ready for the season,” said Central’s Waller-Reitano. “I know some of these guys. They’re friends here, but when it’s time to put on the pads, it’s totally different.”