High Point football captains leading the way

WANTAGE — Besides the obvious, which is the resilience and talent of the athletes on the opposite sidelines, there are many obstacles that can stand in the way of a team achieving a win in the tightly contested football game.
Unfortunate occurrences such as badly timed penalties, the botched execution of a play and of course turnovers are a few examples of mistakes that can be the difference between the thrill of victory and well, yes, the agony of defeat.
That’s why it’s so important for a squad to remain focused each and every play to achieve the success of which they are fully capable on the field.
The coaching staff leads the way in making sure each and every player is dialed in on the circumstances happening on the gridiron, so too are the team captains.
This season, the High Point High School football program is fortunate to have not only coaches who are leading the team properly, but four captains who are doing so as well.
Chad Musillo, Jake Philip, Shayne Ratz and Rob Turro, all of whom are seniors, are the captains for the Wildcats this fall.
“They are all leaders," High Point head coach Jim Delaney said. “They are accountable for their actions as well as that of their teammate. High character kids on and off the field. They are the leaders of the team, they are selfless and put others first."
One of the many attributes shown by the captains is their ability to do what’s best for the program, in front of their individual accolades.
“They put the needs of the team first, always trying to motivate their peers," Delaney said. "They are patient with the younger kids."
Most impressively is the success that Musillo, Philip, Ratz and Turro earn in the classroom.
“Chad is No. 1 in his class and Rob is top 20," Delaney said. “Shayne and Jake take a very tough course load as well and excel in the classroom."
Coach Delaney mentioned Davis Dvorak, Eric Frei, Storm Goralczyk, Brandon Labar, Jake Liscinsky and Grayson Sabo as being among the student-athletes beyond the captains who have contributed in a big way for the Wildcats thus far this year.
Last Friday night, the Wildcats toppled Vernon, 42-14, in a North Jersey Super Football Conference Patriot Red Division contest. Musillo rushed for three touchdowns, including one from of nearly 75 yards. Liscinsky had a pair of rushing TD’s and Philip scored on a punt return.
High Point is now 5-2 overall (4-1 in the Patriot Red Division). The Wildcats are scheduled to host Parsippany on Oct. 27.