BY ALEX SCHEUER

Brett Poniros ‘12 has been and always will be an important member of Mamaroneck’s Tiger pride. Poniros’ true focus is football, as his position as the starting cornerback and running back suggests. He has an outlook on the game like no other, and a work ethic comparable to that of a professional.

Poniros is not found only on the football field, however. “A lot of my offseason training is based around the other sports that I play,” he said. “I play hockey in the winter and baseball in the spring and both of those sports help me work on different skills that I use during football season on like strength, speed and balance.”

This year, Poniros is the football team captain. He feels that he achieved this position through hard work and communication. “I take my role as a captain very seriously as do the other four captains—we have to be the link between the players and the coaches,” he said.

On Oct. 15, Poniros’ hard work paid off when the Tigers crushed Port Chester at homecoming under the lights for a landslide win, 50-8. “Finally being able to hold that trophy (the Anthony Zimbalatti-Leroy O’neill trophy) after three years felt really good,” Poniros said. Though he is extremely humble about his success , Poniros had an impressive game himself, having carried 15 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Poniros admits that he didn’t initially warm up to the idea of football on his own. He attributes his love for the game to his older brother. “[He] was the person who really convinced me to start playing football, so every time I play I’m always trying to seek his approval,” he said, continuing, “He has always been extremely motivational and supportive regarding my football career, but he’s also the first one to tell me if I screw something up.”

Poniros is a valued member of the Tigers, and a fan favorite, but in terms of a football filled future, Poniros is unsure. “Football is a huge part of me so it will be very hard for me to give it up. As of now I was not planning on playing football in college but I would love to play it at an intramural level or maybe a flag football league.”

However, regardless of his football fate, it is undeniable that he has learned more than just how to play the game from his experience with football in high school, much of which he attributes to his coaches. “I have been lucky enough to have coaches that have not only been wise in terms of football, but also people that genuinely care about the lives and the wellbeing of the kids that they coach. I think the main point that I have learned from all of my coaches is that you get out of life what you put into it,” he said.

Poniros will surely enjoy his last games on the new turf field. The field, established this year, features new bleachers, lights, and turf instead of grass. Poniros loves it. “It has gotten all of the players excited to play, as well as the school and community too,” he said. “I’m glad that I got to play on it before I graduate.” Poniros will graduate this year, leaving his uniform behind, but his bright future still ahead of him.