When senior wide receiver Owen Almy started playing football in the third grade, he knew his quest to find the sport he loved was over. 

“I was just trying all the sports and seeing what I liked, and I found football,” Almy said.

Through his position as a captain, Almy shows his love for the sport through his care for his teammates. To Almy, being a good captain is not just about skill set, but leadership by example. 

“I stay after practice to get extra routes in,  and hopefully follow my lead,” Almy said, “We’re in this together.”

Almy’s ultimate goal goes beyond merely stats and performance; above all, he values his overall impact on his teammates.

Almy did not record a catch against St. Thomas, but he made his presence felt by encouraging his teammates after missed opportunities.

This season, Almy wants to build on his production from his junior season and make an even larger impact on this year’s offense. 

For as long as he can remember, senior quarterback Shea Quinn has wanted to be a great football player

“My dad played in college and played professionally, so it’s something that’s been a big part of my life growing up,” Quinn said.

His father, Michael Quinn, played quarterback collegiately at Stephen F. Austin State University for 4 years. He also played for six national football league teams during a seven year career spanning through the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

 “My dad is a support system that’s always there for me. We can go out, toss the ball in the yard and talk football whenever I want,” Quinn said. 

Quinn aims to uphold both meanings of the football team’s motto, FAMILY. The motto not only alludes to the team’s goal of acting as one rather than individuals, but it also stands for Forget About Me, I Love You.

“It starts by setting the standard, the family culture,” Quinn said.

Quinn recorded 92 passing yards and one passing touchdown in the opening game against St. Thomas. 

After only his first year playing football in the third grade, Quinn knew the position he was destined to play—quarterback. Now entering his senior season, second-year starter Quinn can be identified by the number eleven plastered on his jersey and the ball in his hands at the beginning of each play.

Although senior defensive end Winston Silsby may not be the most vocal person off the field, his teammates know he is not afraid to call someone out. 

“There’s just a little click,” Silsby said, “I want my guys around me to be the best that they can be, so being a captain means I need to step up, be more vocal.”

Previous captains have heavily influenced Silsby’s understanding of how captains should act toward their teammates. He especially credits former captain Robert Riser ‘23 as an example. 

“I remember one time, after practice during fall camp, Robert gathered the entire team together, and he called us out. He told us we were not putting in the right effort, and he wasn’t scared of that,” Silsby said. 

Silsby began playing football in the eighth grade as a part of the Middle School team. He started his freshman year at offensive line before becoming a full time linebacker in his sophomore year. 

Silsby recorded a tackle and assisted on another in the against St. Thomas.

Sporting the number nine, Silsby enters this season with the responsibility to fill the pass rushing role that was previously occupied by Alexander Rustay ‘24. The position will allow him to do what he does best—sacking quarterbacks and shutting down run plays. 

Like many before him, senior linebacker Nick Verducci has one goal fueling his senior season— beating Kinkaid.

In 2012, the Mavericks defeated the Falcons in their annual matchup. This victory ended a five-year losing streak. The Mavericks are winless against the Falcons in the years since. 

“It’s not a good season if we don’t beat Kinkaid,” Verducci said, “It’s what we’ve been trying to do for 13 years.”

Now, Verducci awaits the Nov. 1 game against Kinkaid, ready to end the streak for good.

Nick knows that accomplishing his main goal will require the team to improve its camaraderie.

“I want to bring the team closer together and become friends with every single underclassman. It’s really important to have that bond with new freshmen,” Verducci said. “If we can all come together as one, we have a really good chance of beating Kinkaid this year.”

Influenced by his father and older brother, Verducci began playing football in the third grade.

Nick recorded four tackles as well as a sack in the opening game against St. Thomas. 

During the St. Thomas game, Verducci suffered an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of this season. While he will not be seen rushing the opposing team’s quarterback, Verducci will make his impact cheering on his team from the sidelines.