This year, Jimmy Dugan finally gets to be a captain. Dugan, who has been a member of the Rye High varsity football team since he was a sophomore, is the team’s biggest asset. He has the ability to lead Rye to Syracuse for the state championship, but in his final season as a Garnet, Dugan is not solely focused on getting there.
By Michael Gilbert
This year, Jimmy Dugan finally gets to be a captain. Dugan, who has been a member of the Rye High varsity football team since he was a sophomore, is the team’s biggest asset. He has the ability to lead Rye to Syracuse for the state championship, but in his final season as a Garnet, Dugan is not solely focused on getting there.
“I am going to take this season one game at a time,” he said. “If we do — and play our best — we’ll be just fine.”
Rye will probably go as far as Dugan and quarterback Andrew Livingston take them. That’s not to say the team doesn’t have other talent, but those two will play the biggest roles. Dugan will be the mainstay running back and will start at cornerback on the other side of the ball.
Cornerback is something Dugan is familiar with; he’s played the position since he had to fill in for an injured Jack O’Callaghan during his sophomore year. Last year, he started every game at cornerback. But running back will be something new for Dugan, as Rye looks for someone to replace the two-headed monster of Jake Meyerson and Joe Simolacaj.
Fellow captain lineman Neil Parrello, said, “I’m excited to see what Jimmy can bring to the offense. He’s been a great cornerback over the past few years, but I think he can really provide a spark to the offense as well.” Parrello noted that Dugan is one of the better and more physical players in Section 1.
Like Parrello, Dugan will carry the responsibility of being a team leader. He’s fully aware of the responsibility that comes with being a captain.
“In years past, I looked up to the guys who were captains, and they taught me a lot,” said Dugan. “I’m going to try to be a guy the younger kids can ask for advice, and I will be glad to help them with anything they need. I am going to lead by example and work hard every day in practice. Hopefully, that will rub off on the rest of the team.”
This is Dugan’s year to let it all hang out and leave it all on the field. Knowing him, he’ll take the opportunity and run with it. We could very well see Dugan carrying the ball all the way to upstate.
