PREPARING FOR THE 2018 SEASON, BUT NOT AS A WIZARD

By DYLAN SPAULDING

DYLAN SPAULDING FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Even though the fall football season has come to an end, a select few outstanding players both on the field and in the halls are preparing for the 2018 season.  These players won't be representing the Wizards but, the instead,  colleges they have selected.  Senior Mike Douglas and Tristan Marrero are already preparing for next season by hitting the weightroom and going to football camps.

For the past three years Douglas, or Big Mike as his peers lovingly call him, has been the starting left tackle for the Wizards.  He plans to continue playing that position in college.  Weighing in at a solid 260 pounds and being 6’ 3”, Mike is definitely cut out for the position.  This past season was his best year as he was named captain of the team and represented Washingtonville in the Section 9 All Star Game.  Mike also helped lead the team to winning the Section 9 Division Title. 

Currently, Mike is deciding where he is going to play next.  His top schools are Western Connecticut, Hobart, Castleton and Utica.  All of these schools have very respective football programs and are Division III athletic schools.  “I’ve taken personal tours with coaches from each of the schools,” confided Mike as he  prepared to do another set on the bench press.  Big Mike will be making his decision in this upcoming spring.

On the other side of the ball on defense is Tristan Marrero at cornerback.  He finished up the past season stacking up a total of 36 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.  Tristan has been playing since the young age of six.  He played throughout youth and high school football as a stand out player.  He also took part of the 2016 Section 9 Division Champion team and received honorable mention by the Section 9 football committee.  

Tristan plans to continue his football career as a Spartan at St. Thomas Aquinas, where he will be a cornerback at this Division II school.  “I visited the campus and fell in love with everything they have to offer,” Tristan expressed.  Due to his previous football experience, Tristan feels as if he is mentally and physically ready to take on this new chapter.

As many Wizards have already moved on to a new level of football, Mike and Tristan are ready to continue their football careers. Though they won’t be representing the Wizards anymore, they will never forget where they became the players they are today. Best of luck to both of them!