Valuable and versatile
5 players who do it all for their teams
This season, coaches around the state having been asking their top players to do a lot.
Run the ball? Yes. Catch the ball? Yes. Throw the ball? Sure, how far?
Return kicks? Sure. Hold for kicks? You got it.
With last season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inexperience on many teams, coaches are putting the ball in their best player’s hands and letting them make the plays.
And some of the numbers are video game-like.
We have highlighted five of these players from around the state.
Jack Coughlin, Amity
Class: Senior
Positions: WR/RB/DB/ KR/PR
Stats: Two seasons ago, Coughlin started at defensive back on the St. Joseph team that went undefeated, won the Class L title and was the No. 1 team in the final Top 10 poll. At St. Joseph, there aren’t many two-way players. Coughlin transferred to Amity last school year and now is tasked with doing a lot more. On top of starting in the secondary, he takes snaps at running back and wide receiver — he even threw for a two-point conversion. He also returns kicks and punts and is the holder on special teams. He has 225 yards on the ground to go along with 12 catches and 180 receiving yards. He has made 35 tackles and has five interceptions — three returned for touchdowns.
Best performance: In a 21-0 win over Branford on Sept. 10, Coughlin had a couple of catches on offense, made 12 tackles and had his first interception return for a touchdown of the season.
What Coughlin says:
“After the first week I was kind of nervous that I would get tired. But I have prepared myself and feel good throughout the game.” What Amity coach Craig Bruno said: “His skill set is very wide, he knows how to catch the ball, knows how to play defense, knows how to run and tackle. He is willing to do anything at any time, he’s that type of player.”