Soccer goalie converts to tight end

Coach persuades senior to suit up Panthers’ ‘rookie’ set for semifinal

Aidan Duffy doesn’t have to look far to realize the players are bigger and the hits are jarring. But that’s football — not soccer, a sport he had played for many years.

At 6- foot- 7 and 225 pounds, Duffy was banking on taking his competitive days as a soccer goalie to the next level and attended the Birchmount Park Exceptional Athlete Program to mix and match education and athletic schedules. But his Clairlea club soccer team dissolved, leaving him with time on his hands.

Football coach Rob Pacas, his teacher for four years, suggested he should don the equipment and give it a try.

“ I had been going to the school games to watch, take in a lot of NFL games on television, but this was the first year I figured I’d try my luck playing,” said Duffy, in his last year.

“ It’s been so much fun that now I regret missing all those other years.”

“ He’s the prototype tight end — big, has some speed and great hands,” said Pacas, his undefeated Panthers ( 5- 0- 1) set to meet the East York Goliaths ( 5- 2- 0) Friday at noon in a Toronto District School Board semifinal at Esther Shiner Stadium.

“ I’m very confident that if a ball gets thrown my way, I’ll grab it,” said Duffy. “ The jitters are gone, every game gets easier and it really would be nice to have a longer season.”

Duffy’s team needs two wins to reach the Metro Bowl set for Dec. 8 at the Rogers Centre.

“ That really would be something,” he said. “ My rookie year making it to the championship.”