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11/28/2018 11:00 PMMichael Rabuffo has played a few different sports in North Branford, but found his true passion on the soccer field between his junior and senior years at the high school. Michael suited up as a captain for the T-Birds’ boys’ soccer squad this fall and loved leading the team during his senior season.
“I started playing soccer when I was young and was on the rec team in our town. I went through the system, but this past summer, I got really into it and was playing in various pickup games in Branford in Guilford,” says Michael. “I know it’s just a game, but I was having fun. It inspired me to put forth my all this season.”
First-year Head Coach Dewey Boatman took over a team that graduated 12 athletes and returned just six players from a year ago. Boatman looked to Michael to not only serve as a leader, but also help recruit more players to join the program.
“Michael is an extremely hard-working player and was an excellent captain for our team this season,” Boatman says. “His maturity, positive attitude, and willingness to do the right thing made him an exceptional leader, especially during times of adversity our team faced this past year.”
With such a young squad, North Branford was unable to record a victory this fall. Still, Michael credited everyone on the club for giving a great effort throughout the campaign. The T-Birds’ work ethic made Michael feel proud as a captain.
“I give everybody a lot of credit for making it a fun experience. Even though we didn’t win, I think I became a better soccer player and a better person,” Michael says. “I was honored last year to be selected as the next captain. I was disappointed at first with what our season was going to be like, because I’m competitive and I like to win, but it was enjoyable to lead the team and be a role model and help the newer players get better. To see them start at a lower level and rise up throughout the year was a good experience. It was rewarding in the end, even if we weren’t successful.”
Michael scored a goal for North Branford while playing the striker position, but moved to the midfield during the season. As a result, Michael was able to make an impact for North Branford on every end of the pitch, instead of just in the offensive half.
“I was at striker, because I’m quick, but as the season went on, I was needed at center mid, because I was a little more technically savvy with the ball. It was a change for me, because I’ve never played there before,” says Michael. “It was difficult at first, because I was more of a get-the-ball-and-run type of player. Now, I had to think about how to make an outlet pass and needed to be a better dribbler. I also needed to be more vocal being in the middle of the field.”
Michael also ran cross country and played basketball for a season at North Branford. Now, he does indoor and outdoor track. Michael competed for the T-Birds’ cross country team as a sophomore and enjoyed learning about the sport while working alongside coach Floyd Parness, who passed away in May of 2017.
“Soccer my freshman year was intimidating, so when I did outdoor track, I felt the community aspect, so I decided to try cross country. It wasn’t for me, but I’m glad I did it, because I had another year with Coach Parness,” Michael says. “He was always a good, shining figure and always had a smile on his face. When I told him I wanted to rejoin soccer, he knew it was better for me.”
Michael’s best event during the indoor track season is the 300. In outdoor, he excels in the 400. Last spring, Michael posted a ninth-place finish in the 400 at the Class S State Championship.
“I have explosiveness, but was never consistently getting medals [in the shorter sprints], and the 800 was too long for me. The 400 is a full-on sprint around the track and involves a lot of endurance to finish the race,” Michael says. “Soccer allowed me to do that, because I was used to making runs, but had to play the entire 80 minutes. I think that’s why I’m good in the 400.”
With this being his final year at North Branford High School, Michael is striving to reach his goal of earning an All-Conference medal on the track.
“I think my goals this year are to achieve First or Second Team All-Shoreline. I’ve never broke through for a medal, so that’s what I’m really looking for,” says Michael. “I think I owe it to Floyd to give it my all this season and make it there for him.”