Emma Flynn, Reporter
Even though spirit week was all about New Canaan pride, on September 25th at the Homecoming football game, senior co-captain and quarterback Mike Collins was in the spotlight. A varsity starter since his junior year, Mike is a team leader on and off the field. Since he started playing football in the seventh grade, Mike has been dedicated to his teammates and the game.
Although Mike is hesitant to comment on his accomplishments, the statistics speak for themselves. On average Mike throws 172.7 passing yards per game. With a total of 3800 passing yards accumulated, the majority of
those in his junior year alone. His pass completions in comparison to his pass attempts stand at a sturdy 56% success rate. In the game New Canaan vs. Ridgefield on September 18th, Mike threw 18-of-30 passing touchdowns, adding to his total 58 passing touchdowns. The most recent game against Danbury, Mike scored 14-of-21 passing touchdowns for 163 yards. Statistics alone, there is no arguing against the fact that Mike is an integral player to the success of the Rams this football season..
Senior co-captain Gardner Reed, has played with Mike since middle school and feels that Mike strengthens the team. “He brings leadership and a great work ethic to the team,” he said. “During the entire off season, Mike was in the weight room getting stronger or on the field throwing passes to receivers.”
As a co-captain, Mike sees the strength of the team in every single player and knows that their success is because of the close and strong relationships they have developed over the years. Mike knows the importance of supporting his teammates, “Everyone on our team matters and we can only be as strong as our weakest link,” Mike said.
Gardner feels that an important aspect of Mike is how he maintains positive relationships with his teammates both on and off the field. “Mike always treats his line well,” Gardner said. He’ll bring us treats like a cake or cupcakes after games if we do well protecting him. He cares a lot about each of us and he is the first to ask what he can do to help us.”
For Mike, he knows that his coaches have played a large role in his success with the sport. “Coach Marinelli has
been great in my career and really helped me out with college,” Mike said. “Everyone on our coaching staff has really helped improve as a player.”
Through Mike’s hard work, it is clear that he has made a positive impact on the team. “He brings leadership and a great work ethic to the team,” Gardner said. “All during the off season Mike was in the weight room getting stronger or on the field throwing passes to receivers.”
Mike’s athletic potential was not always as clear as one might suspect, according to Head Coach Lou Marinelli, Mike was an awkward freshman and his athletic talent was not so prominent. “I would have never have guessed then that he would be the quarterback that he is now,” Coach Marinelli said. “He has worked so hard to get where he is and he’s anxious to learn and willing to do the work, so he really deserves everything he gets.”
Coach Marinelli also knows what a key component Mike is on the team“Aside from that if you ever see him when the offense isn’t on the field he’s either coaching or help coaching our kids and cheering on the defense,” Coach Marinelli said. “He’s a tremendous football player. I don’t know that you can find a quarterback like Mike, It’s yet to be determined if he’s the best we’ve ever had but he is certainly one of the best we’ve ever had.”
For more information, check out this exclusive video on Mike Collins.
