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01/11/2017 11:00 PMSenior captain Tom Dodge made a major impact at all ends of the field while playing tailback and cornerback for the North Haven football team. As a member of the Indians’ secondary, Tom learned his craft from his father Mike, who served as the defensive coordinator for the Southern Connecticut State University football team for 26 years.
“Growing up with him, he really taught me technique. He really helped me perform well as a part of the secondary. I have to credit him for most of my success on the defensive side of the ball, as well as my high school coaches,” Tom says. “Because my dad is a defensive coach, I took pride and focused on that early in my career.”
As a junior, Tom picked off two passes on his way to being an All-SCC, All-Area, and All-State cornerback. This past fall, Tom once again intercepted a pair of passes and was once again an All-SCC and Connecticut High School Coaches Association Class L All-State selection, along with making the Levi Jackson All-Star team at cornerback.
“Coverage-wise, I know where to be,” says Tom. “Reading the quarterback comes naturally and it helps making plays in the secondary.”
In addition to his huge defensive contributions, Tom had a big year on offense for the Indians and also did well when called upon to return some kicks and punts. Head Coach Anthony Sagnella appreciates how Tom’s athleticism enabled him to aid North Haven in so many ways.
“If you went to a game and watched us play, you’d immediately be aware of how dynamic of a football player Tom Dodge was. On top of his ability to cover receivers and make plays on the defensive side of the ball, he could run the ball well, was an effective passer, and an outstanding receiver. He did everything for us,” Sagnella says. “He’s versatile enough to play anywhere in our backfield. He’s a run-pass threat when he lines up in our backfield and you can’t say that about every player. When Tom was in the game in the backfield, he could be a threat to do both, so he became a full-time player this year on offense, so we utilized all of his abilities.”
Tom’s versatility resulted in him compiling 782 rushing yards with six touchdowns, 222 passing yards with three TDs, plus 200 receiving yards and another touchdown in the recent season. Tom thanks his coaches and teammates for helping him along the path of such a prosperous career.
“I guess I have to credit the coaches for realizing my versatility and putting me in positions to make plays,” says Tom. “I couldn’t do any of it without my teammates. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it if it wasn’t for them blocking, catching, or throwing me the ball. It was a solid team effort.”
Tom is also a point guard for the Indians’ boys’ basketball team. He missed most of last season with a shoulder injury and was also unable to fully participate in some of the summer football programs while on the road to recovery. Tom says that the positive presence of his teammates helped him get back to health and, ultimately, have a great sendoff season at North Haven.
“Last year, I was starting and had to have shoulder surgery, so I had to miss the second half of the season. It was definitely tough, about four or five months of doing nothing, and then after that you just get bored and want to be back out there with your friends,” says Tom. “It was a big setback for my senior season not being able to fully participate this summer with lifting. My biggest motivators were my teammates. They were always pushing me to get back faster and to be healthy. I didn’t want to let them down because I knew they’d do the same for me.”