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Featured Freshman: Zach Bedryczuk Starting Varsity Quarterback

The lights are blinding, beating down against the turf under your feet. All around you are six-foot masses of sweat and muscles, their goal solely to crush you to the ground. You are the varsity quarterback; the team is counting on you. Your stomach twists and contorts with nerves. All this pressure and you have been a freshman for a mere two weeks.

With the great loss of thirteen varsity seniors last year the Woodland Hawk’s Football team has had some huge roles to fill, including quarterback. This isn’t unusual as high school football is ever changing with incoming and outgoing athletes; however the big surprise of the season arose when Zach Bedryczuk was announced as the starting varsity quarterback, as a freshman.

Bedryczuk was introduced to football as a small child by his father, began playing flag football, and then worked his way to tackle football. From the moment he got his hands on the ball he knew he had found his passion.

“Ever since I began playing I just loved the sport,” shares Bedryczuk. “It is a sport that strengthens you as a man and improves your all around character.”

Chris Anderson, varsity football coach, came upon Bedryczuk while he was participating in the Junior Hawks football program. Anderson knew instantly that Bedryczuk was an incredible athlete and acknowledged the value he could hold to the team.

“Being involved with the youth programs with my son, I learned Bedryczuk was a great athlete and had potential,” shared Coach Anderson. “He doesn’t play like a ninth grader. He earned his spot, and the team is ready for him to run the ship.”

Anderson and the team agrees Bedryczuk certainly wasn’t handed the role. He trained hard each practice, improving his footwork, working to throw farther and more accurately, constantly trying to play as a smarter athlete.

“I know I will have to prepare myself by going harder in practice,” says Bedryczuk. “Going harder. Going faster. Thinking more. Not letting my nerves get in the way. I will do whatever it takes to win.”

Senior Captain, Coby Vaccarelli, acknowledges he and the team are supportive of Coach Anderson’s decision.

“When I first heard Zach was going to be the starting quarterback I knew it was a great move for the team,” explains Vaccarelli. “He is a talented player who performs with confidence. He will definitely be beneficial to the team this season.”

The team may be younger and have less numbers than past years, however the boys are prepared to work harder than they ever have to have a successful season.

“We know that every game is going to be a battle,” said Senior Captain, Sean McAllen. “But we are prepared to fight each game in order to compete and win.”

This season the boys will face more struggles than they have in past years with twenty-three bodies on varsity compared to the large amount, ranging from thirty to forty, in the past few seasons. The boys will face difficulties and obstacles throughout the year, but have the mentality necessary to be successful.

“I hope that my teammates and I will leave everything on the field and the results will take care of themselves,” explains Vaccarelli. “We are ready to move forward from last season and have the next man step up.”

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Julia is our Executive Yearbook Designer and Photographer, and she has spent four full semesters at Hawk Headlines. She loves her dogs, Missy and Champ, and sometimes goes by the alter ego "Culia Jaruso".

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