Rechercher dans ce blog

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Victor Little is a very big deal for the Burnt Hills football team - Times Union

little.indah.link

BURNT HILLS – Victor Little, just three months into his first year of high school, had accomplished more as a football player than the vast majority ever will in an entire varsity career.

The Spartans advanced to the Class A state semifinals and Little proved to be a defensive force in a contest his team eventually lost 21-20 against Cornwall. Two more years of experience and nearly 50 pounds larger, Little has proven to be a massive force on both the offensive and defensive lines for Burnt Hills.

“He came in as a freshman and stepped right in,” Burnt Hills coach Matt Shell said. “He weighs about 260 now. As a freshman, he weighed 215. The whole layoff since last March, he didn’t shut down. He lifted and made himself strong.”

"I was able to better adapt to the weight I put on this year," Little said. "Last year, I put a lot of weight on as I skipped a sport, but that weight really dragged me down. I've had time to get accustomed to it and I feel better than ever."

Little looks to lead the Spartans (6-0) to victory Friday night when they travel to take on Troy (6-0) in the Class A final. Technically, this is a 2020 season contest being waged during the seven-week Fall Season II format after the coronavirus pandemic prevented any football to played throughout the state in the fall. The junior cannot believe his junior season ends Friday.

"It's a real shocker. Year No. 4 is creeping up on me fast," Little said.

“Victor is a good athlete and has a heck of a personality,” Shell said.

In addition to being a dominant force on both sides of the ball, Little finds himself as a team captain this season — a rare occurrence at Burnt Hills. Among the return stars to hold down that distinction during their junior seasons are a pair of quarterbacks that led the Spartans to sectional titles in Paul Layton and Darien LaPietro.

“The guys on this team believe in him,” Shell said. “He has been outstanding on both sides of the ball. He is a very good player. He just brings such energy and effort. The talent is the talent. You also have to have the want and will. He does. Victor wants to be great and wants this team to be successful. He will do anything he can to make sure we’re good.”

Little feels having already played 26 varsity games entering Friday's action helps him perform in critical spots.

"You have more confidence in yourself that people will come to you in big moments," Little said. "You know you can give it to them and not be scared of the moment."

Shell laughed when describing a sequence earlier this season when Little, who plays tackle, blocked an opponent down the field about 20 yards before discarding him into the end zone. Asked which side of the ball he prefers, Little responded, "I enjoy both of them. Defense is a lot of fun. You get big hits on people. You get pancakes and tackles, and that is where you get recognition. Offense, getting to drive someone straight into the ground and seeing the running back getting 10-plus yards running behind you feels good too."

“There are times when he can shut down a running game. Just him. Obviously, there is more to it than that,” Shell said. “He can really be disruptive. Offensively, he does a lot of things that make it easier for guards to come around, get out and move. He is a talented kid, but more than that, he gives tremendous effort. It is impressive. He really goes. When you say play to the echo of the whistle, it might echo three times.”

Before his career concludes, Little hopes to convince Shell to allow him to carry the ball a few times. Right now, all the junior wants is a victory Friday night.

"This week is important because it's the seniors' last week and probably the last week of football for most of them," Little said. "I want to make it memorable for them. I want to make it memorable for the juniors to show we're the big dogs of Section II Class A. I want to carry that into next year which is only three months away."

“He understands how hard it is to be really good,” Shell said. “Victor understands the small nuances that make you good. He is a great kid to be around. He is going to work hard, but he also going to laugh and enjoy himself. Victor is a good leader and a good teammate.”

Victor Little (71) has been a staple of the Burnt Hills offensive and defensive lines for three seasons, and now tips the scales at 260 pounds. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Victor Little (71) has been a staple of the Burnt Hills offensive and defensive lines for three seasons, and now tips the scales at 260 pounds. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Hans Pennink

Let's block ads! (Why?)

The Link Lonk


April 29, 2021 at 07:33AM
https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Victor-Little-is-a-very-big-deal-for-the-Burnt-16136370.php

Victor Little is a very big deal for the Burnt Hills football team - Times Union

https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

No comments:

Post a Comment

Featured Post

Nikki Haley's super PAC spent big to fuel her rise. It started 2024 with little left. - NBC News

little.indah.link The super PAC backing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley entered the election year in January with just $3.5 million in...

Popular Posts