Photo by Cam Ciesluk
by Brian Twomey
Kyle Sullivan has not played an organized football game since eighth grade, yet he has been having an amazing football season. Sullivan is the starting wide receiver and cornerback for the football team.
Coach Mac has admired Sullivan’s play this season. “[Sullivan] adjusted pretty good. He is starting for us on both sides of the ball. He’s made some nice plays for us. It took him some time to adjust. It wasn’t all easy all off the bat.”
Sullivan is 6’1 and weighs 180 pounds and has incredible speed, agility and athleticism. He uses his athleticism and speed to run through defenders. Against Westborough Sullivan had an 80-yard return and an 80-yard reception.
Sullivan relearned all the plays offensively and defensively quickly. Sullivan has 14 receptions, 325 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He also has 3 rushes for 27 yards, and his stats grow rapidly.
Sullivan gave up his football career after eighth grade to focus on baseball. This was a tough decision for Sullivan because he loved the sport.
“[In eighth grade] I remember beating Marlboro. We had beaten them before that year, and when we did it was the perfect end to the season.”
Sullivan has been starting on varsity baseball since his sophomore year. He is the ace pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He has ambitions to play baseball well after high school. Sullivan was aware of how dangerous football is to the body and did not want to risk hurting his arm by playing football.
“I was planning on focusing on baseball. I started working out at a gym called Cressey Performance, and I knew my senior year that I would miss football and I didn’t want to regret not playing. I was afraid of hurting my arm, [and] that was in my discussion of whether to return or not. But it’s my senior year, and I figured I go all out. If I get hurt, that’s what happens, but I hope I don’t.”
Sullivan has been on the varsity baseball team since his junior year. He starts in right field with the games that he does not pitch. Sullivan bats sixth in the lineup.
“There really are no specific reasons why I like baseball more. I just know the feeling of being on the mound just me against the batter for that moment and there is nothing like it in sports in my opinion.”
Sullivan threw 60 innings, with a 6-3 record. He had an excellent ERA of 1.63. He had strikeout/walk of 65-10.
“The most challenging part of returning would have to be the decision to return itself. I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to. Now that I am back I know that I made the right choice, and I love every minute of it.”
