Stillwater after next step
Two-way lineman Mcneil plays a big part in the Warriors’ efforts to capture first title
Brian Mcneil is smart, courteous and an affable young man, the kind friends love to hang out with and adults admire for his personality, academic standing and community involvement.
Put Mcneil in his Stillwater varsity football No. 70 jersey and it changes the demeanor of the 6-foot-21/2, 230-pound junior lineman. It means no more Mr. Nice Guy.
“I love defense and being nasty out there,” Mcneil said.
Mcneil is a disruptive force on the defensive line and steady allaround performer at offensive tackle. Now a two-way starter for the third straight year, Mcneil looks to elevate the Warriors to uncharted heights.
“All of my goals this season revolve around the team,” Mcneil said. “Since I was little going to (varsity) games, I wanted to be a captain. I never thought I would be out here leading the team . ... I don’t take this for granted one bit. I want to take things as far as I can and get the most out of the experience. I want to lead our team as far as we can possibly get.”
A sectional football title has proven elusive for Stillwater. In fact, prior to coach Ian Godfrey taking over in 2016, playoff victories totaled one.
Last fall, Stillwater defeated Tamarac (56-7) and Hoosick Falls (50-30) before falling against Holy Trinity 32-14 in the Section II Class C Super Bowl.
“It was their year,” Mcneil said of Holy Trinity. “They had all the experience in the world. Losing that game left a bad taste. It really was a motivation for me. Obviously, losing at that time hurt. All offseason was a grind getting ready. It was a great grind.”
“We want to be great. Winning a sectional title is something we’ve never done before,” Stillwater junior quarterback/safety James Galarneau said. “We’re striving for that this year.
“Brian is definitely a big-time
player for us. Offensively, you never have to worry about him making a mistake. He is always where he needs to be. Defensively, he is terrorizing teams. Brian makes big plays and gets sacks. He’s great.”
Mcneil has clearly made a leap overall as a player as a junior, which is saying something considering Mcneil garnered Times Union Small-school first-team all-star honors and was a Class C all-state third-team selection in 2017 at defensive end.
Godfrey put three freshmen on his 2016 varsity roster: running back Mason Seymour, Galarneau and Mcneil. Only Mcneil started on offense and defense in a 7-2 season that concluded with a 22-14 quarterfinal loss against rival Mechanicville.
“Instinctually, he was just ahead of a lot of other kids,” Godfrey said. “He is way ahead of where he was back then now because he has more
experience and has gotten stronger. What really helps Brian as a player is he just has this motor. He knows where the ball is and has the instincts to make those plays. He had some growing pains as a freshman. Over the past couple of years, he has really honed his craft.”
“Freshman year was my biggest jump as an athlete,” Mcneil said. “I can’t even put into words what it meant. As a freshman going up against seniors with four years’ more experience was a challenge.”
“Brian is definitely a competitor,” Galarneau said. “He has gotten bigger and stronger. He is one of those guys that does not like to lose. He is extremely motivated.”
Galarneau, who took over as quarterback during his sophomore season, said he feels fortunate Mcneil is a teammate.
“One time in my freshman year playing on the scout team (offense), he just hit me so hard,” Galarneau said. “It is the hardest I have been hit. Thank God it was practice. I am definitely glad Brian is on my team
and not the other team.”
Mcneil feels fortunate to get to work with line coach Joe Cocozzo, who starred at Michigan and played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.
“I think it’s tremendous. Offensively, there is no better resource than coach Cocozzo,” Godfrey said.
“The guy played in a Super Bowl,” Mcneil said of Cocozzo. “I get to work with him and coach (Matt Campion), who spent five years playing at Ualbany.”
Behind all of his skills on the gridiron, Mcneil has made it a point to improve those around him.
“He has stepped up in a big way, teaching the younger guys — and even the seniors — what to do,” Galarneau said.
“He wanted to make sure that as a junior, he was able to go out there and dictate how the game was played,” Godfrey said. “He is doing that.”