According to Casullo, Nick’s ability to play all three positions on the defensive line will help him develop during the next three years.
His willingness to study the game and watch film set him apart, just like Joey.
“The kid’s going to be the best in the country by the time he’s a senior,” Casullo said.
Nick admits the speed of the game is faster than that of Optimist and middle school. Now, an emphasis lies more in assignment football. Everyone must be held accountable and do his job in order for the unit to succeed.
“I’m used to the fact that they’re older socially, but playing against them you just have to play tough, and they’ll respect you,” Nick said. “You have to just not get driven back, stay in your gaps and cover the middle of the field, and that’s your job. Before every play, I know that I can beat the person in front of me. I say that to myself.”
With one game remaining for the team’s 45 seniors, Nick wants to send them off with a ring. Last year, Aquinas lost to Dwyer 6-3 in the regional final, which is considered a premature exit for a program that captured the national championship the season before.
“Whenever I play, I tell them it’s for the seniors because I have three more years of being here, and if it doesn’t happen this year, I have another chance next year and the next year and the next,” Nick said. “But they have one more chance, and a lot of them don’t have a ring. I just do it for them so they can remember their high school career.
“Hopefully, when it’s my turn there will be that freshman who plays for me.”
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