Holliston’s Zack Athy keeps the line going
Paving own path after three older brothers starred for Panthers
HOLLISTON — Holliston football coach Todd Kiley acknowledges that senior captain Zack Athy is built a little bit differently than his brothers who came before him. One look and it appears that the assembly line that has pumped elite athletes into the Panthers program for the last dozen or so years had some extra material left while putting together the final model.
The first three Athy brothers to star for Holliston were dynamic skill players, all playing in the range of 180-200 pounds. Max, a running back and defensive back, was the Tri-Valley League MVP in his senior year in 2012. Nick, a dual-threat quarterback, followed suit as TVL MVP in his senior season, leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl crown in 2014, while Sam, a wide receiver and strong safety, was the TVL Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2016.
Zack, the last of the bunch, has broken the mold as a twoway lineman at a shade under 6-feet, 253 pounds.
“I’ve always been bigger and I’ve always loved being in the trenches,” said the youngest Athy. “I’ve never cared whether I got the ball, I just love being a lineman and doing what you can for the team.”
Kiley is impressed. “I like to bust his brothers’ chops and say we saved the best athlete for last — he’s stronger and bigger than the rest of you,” said Kiley. “He’s still got the same mindset as his brothers, he’s just built different. He’s been a lineman his whole life. It’s a nice change of pace to finally have an Athy in the trenches.”
While Zack may naturally be larger than the rest of his brethren, he’s also put in some work to get that way. A weightroom fanatic, Kiley said he might be the strongest player he’s coached during his Holliston tenure, which spans 18 years.
Athy boasts a bench press mark of 315 pounds, with 30 reps at 185, while deadlifting 500 and squatting 600. He still maintains his athleticism, however, running the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds.
“That’s always been something important to me and something that my brothers have taught me, work hard and control what you can control, and the weight room is a big part of that,” said Athy.
There has been at least one Athy in the Holliston High football program since 2009, and one on the coaching staff as well as father Paul has served as defensive coordinator under Kiley for over a decade. To some, continuing that legacy might bring extra pressure to live up to expectations, but instead for Zack it has provided a blueprint. “Having my older brothers taught me how to approach everything,” said Zack. “All of them were obviously very successful football players and that pushed me to work hard and follow in their footsteps. I have always been my own player, I just want to keep that success going.”
Most of Zack’s impact for the Panthers has been as a guard — he also lines up at fullback in certain formations — where he has started since his sophomore year and earned a TVL All-Star nod as a junior. Kiley said he will get more time at defensive end this year, as the team can’t afford not to have him on the field as much as possible.
“They are all workers,” said Kiley of the Athy brothers. “All of them pour their heart and soul into the football program, it shows in their play and it’s contagious. Other kids feed off that, and that’s what makes programs go. You need the Zack Athys of the world to get the tone.” Max (Tufts), Nick (Bentley) and Sam (Stonehill) all went on to play in college, something that Zack also hopes to do after spending a postgraduate year at Williston Northampton. But first, there is business to take care of in Holliston.
While the Panthers may be the reigning Div. 5 South champions from 2019, a title they will not get the opportunity to defend with no MIAA playoffs in the Fall II season, they were denied the TVL Large crown by Ashland, something that Athy and his teammates intend to rectify in his final campaign. “It’s just amazing to be out here,” said Athy. “There are a couple ways to look at it. With the longer offseason, we choose to look at it as more time to get better, and now that we are finally out here and have the opportunity to put it all together, it’s awesome.
“Last year we didn’t win the TVL, that obviously stunk so that’s been our goal going into the season with no state tournament. We want to win everything that we can.”
DIVISION OVERVIEW
Bishop Fenwick nearly won the Div. 6 state championship in 2019 and David Woods has plenty of weapons back to ensure another successful campaign. Chrys Wilson is back at quarterback, while Angel Martinez and Stefano
Fabiano are the top receivers. Matt Juneau is the top returning lineman.
Stoneham will be tough in the Middlesex Freedom as standout lineman Peter Godfrey and running Chris Dragone return. Winthrop returns running back Bobby Hubert and tight end Tyler Rockefeller and will be aided greatly by Everett transfer Duke Doherty at quarterback.
Austin Prep is slowly working its way back up the Catholic Central League chain. Linebackers Ronan Noke and Aidan Noke, running back Mike Gizzi and linebacker Brendan Walsh are back.
Shawsheen could be the team to beat in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference. Quarterback Chris Disciscio, running backs Diondre Turner and Dylan Timmns, and linemen Jonah Varallo, Liam Kelley and Alex Newcomb are back along with kicker Randy Leavitt.
Div. 6 South certainly has a TriValley League flavor. Ashland went on to capture the Div. 6 state title last year and will look to returning players such as running backs Gryffin Frink and Eddie Lopez as well as lineman Sean Harding.
Dedham and Medway both have key players returning to the fold. Old Rochester might be the team to beat in the South Coast Conference, while Middleboro, East Bridgewater and Rocklandshould be competing in the
South Shore League.
Brian Morrill returns at running back for Cardinal Spellman as well as lineman Nick Walsh.
Holliston should be one of the top teams in Div. 5 South once again. The Panthers return two of the best players in the area in lineman Zack Athy and running back Tristan Benson. TVL rival Medfield will bank its hopes on defensive back James Wilder, linebacker Jackson Foscaldo and quarterback Ryan Murray.
Anthony Fallon takes over at Canton and he has some quality talents at his disposal.
The top returnees for the Bulldogs are linemen Matt Connolly and Carson Campbell, running back Cam Sanchez and wide receiver Jack Albert.
Swampscott captured the Div. 5 state title last year and will look to returning talents such as wide receiver and lineman Jake Papazoglou. Amesbury returns one of the top linebackers in the Cape Ann League in
Kyle Donovan, while Lynnfield will lean heavily on star wide