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08/11/2023 05:54 AMBrotherhood through struggles and achieving strength and victory has truly attracted Adam Metz to the gridiron, and now after a long standing career within the game, he gets to unpack a whole new fraternity of friends on a bigger and grander stage.
The Valley Regional Class of 2023 graduate started playing football at the young and ripe age of 4 after being encouraged by his father to pick up the pigskin. While he additionally dabbled with basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and even track along the path, he stayed on the straight and narrow path with regard to football.
After a three-year run with the Valley Regional-Old Lyme football squad that included a state final berth his final season in 2022, the offensive tackle/defensive end has committed to play for Castleton University in Vermont.
“Football is the best sport, and it has been a big part of my life forever,” says Adam. “I love the game, and it loves me. I love the camaraderie and teamwork that comes through it. It is not the same as other sports, because it is a whole other level of teamwork. Continuing football at Castleton is hard to put into words. It means everything to me to play at the college level, and it will probably be the coolest experience of my life.”
While being in the trenches on both ends of the ball, Adam anticipated the tussle across the line of scrimmage that was sent his way on every snap with the Warriors. He knew that through the ice packs and ice baths and bumps and bruises, it only sharpened him as an athlete and a young man.
“My favorite part of the sport is the contact. It is a great way to get my stress out by throwing someone,” Adam says. “But with that, the pain and recovery can be the hardest. Yet I know it does not kill me and will make me stronger.”
Moving onto the next tier of the turf, Adam acknowledges it will unearth a whole new and deeper level of commitment to excellence for himself. Yet he is ready to take the challenge head on while additionally juggling the books, assignments, and lectures from professors.
“When it comes to adjusting to the college level of the game, discipline will have a lot to do with it,” says Adam. “Unlike high school, I will not have teachers reaching out every day and telling me what I need to get done. It will be a full time job between practices, then classes, homework, bed, and then doing it all over again the next day. I am really excited for it; it is a great team and school.”
High school saw Adam undergo a metamorphosis when it came to his diet and exercise regimen, which helped him have a better sound body and mind–especially when it came to holding himself in check during the hairiest and most passionate moments of contests.
“When I started in high school, I used to be heavy, but I started working out with the team and eating healthier,” says Adam. “With physical challenges, all of it is truly mental. If you can get through the first five minutes of it, then you will be fine. I think I did better with controlling my emotions during a game as the years went on. I worked on staying focused and relaxed.”
As a senior influencer on the team last fall, Adam not only saw himself in a position of stewardship and mentorship when it came to his younger underclassmen teammates, but also the obligations and duties forced him to be an even more selfless athlete and person.
“Being a senior on the team was awesome. It was fun to be in that leadership position after my previous seasons and being a senior everyone looks up to,” Adam says. “It forces responsibility, maturity, and the ability to step up. It was up to me to show the younger kids that the sport is no joke, and everyone has to do their job. Football is not about you, it is about the team.”
Tony Volpone, Castleton football Head Coach, details that Adam has all the raw talent and intangibles to dazzle his new teammates and coaches, and frustrate opposing linemen.
“Adam has what you can’t coach and that is the god-given size to play at the line of scrimmage for this game,” says Volpone. “However, he is quite athletic for his frame. We are very excited to be working with him and are eager to see his development.”
Warriors’ Athletic Director Lewis Pappariella expresses quite similar sentiments, while adding Adam is taking his preparation work for the next level seriously.
“Adam is one of the nicest young men that you will ever meet. He has a fun-loving personality and is a great teammate,” says Pappariella. “On the football field, he is an intense competitor. He has size and athleticism that translate well at the collegiate level. He is working hard to be prepared to compete as soon as he arrives on campus. Valley is excited for Adam’s future as a student-athlete at Castleton University!”
No matter how much passion he has for football, scholastics will be the top target for Adam once he steps foot upon Castleton’s campus. When expressing his final sentiments and words on his ways as a Warrior, Adam truly found himself a new family that he will never part ways with as the years wear on.
“Academics is first for me; my main goal is to graduate college. Football is something I love to do, but education is first, and I will balance sports and school to be successful,” says Adam. “Valley football meant a lot to me. The guys there are my family for life. Our senior class was special, and we all played together since freshman year. My dad was a coach on the team, and the main reasons why I stayed in the game and tried harder with it. I cannot express how much football means to me; it is a helluva game and the most fun you can ever have.”