Like many districts across New York state, it is a dream for their respected athletic teams to make the state championships. From cross country to basketball and more, the opportunity to perform on the largest stage in public school athletic competition is a remarkable accomplishment. For Fonda-Fultonville, this is the first time in school history that the varsity football team will represent our school community in a state championship game.
But, enough with the opening remarks. This week, we are fortunate to have Coach Mancini sit down with us for an interview to give his perspective on this special moment for himself, our community, and his players.
But before we begin, Logan Miller, team captain and offensive guard/defensive end, wanted to share his quick thoughts on this year’s championship path “This season has been a combination of a lot of work and preparation and we are excited to seize the opportunity ahead of us.”
How has this playoff run differed from last year’s for your program?
This year, we are experiencing a much deeper run than we’ve ever had before in the history of this program. We are seeing lots of unfamiliar faces outside of the section and facing new challenges on and off the field during competition.
What does it mean for you as a coach leading this exceptional group of players?
It’s been an honor to coach this great group of kids. They are an extremely hardworking group and I’m proud of their accomplishments on and off the field as scholar-athletes.
What is your approach to playing from your home field to an iconic field like the JMA Wireless Dome?
We’re going from outside to inside and the conditions inside the dome. Our preparation changes and we’re doing some practices indoors to get a feel for how our experience will be on Saturday. We’ve also been talking with other coaches to learn more about their past experiences with field conditions and difficulty communicating across the field to players.
What will the impact be for the school community if you are crowned state champions?
I think the community is extremely excited and the support has been tremendous. The championship atmosphere will be an incredible experience for Fonda-Fultonville. We’re excited to compete and allow our kids to have fun chasing a championship for our school community.