Athlete of the Week: Will Quigley

When football practice opens up later this month, 17-year-old Will Quigley will enter his senior season as co-captain of the 2011 Marblehead Magicians football squad.

Quigley will share the role of captain this season with Oliver Gregory and Joel Katz. The team's football captains were announced in July.

“It was pretty exciting to be named captain, that’s for sure,” Quigley said during an interview at his home on Coolidge Road. “Just an incredible honor really, so many people have helped me get where I am now, I’m so excited about the upcoming season.

As a freshman, Quigley’s team went undefeated; in his sophomore season the team lost the super bowl; and the Magicians finished 5-6 last season. Last year’s team went for the win on Thanksgiving, but missed a conversion and fell to Swampscott.

“I was glad coach went for the win last year, definitely,” Quigley said. “Hopefully we’ll win when this year’s game rolls around.”

Quigley plays on both sides of the ball for coach Jim Rudloff. He is the team's running back on offense, defensive back on defense, and he’s also the team's punter.

Quigley patrolled the outfield for the Headers baseball team this past spring and batted in the two spot for a team that made it to the state tournament. He also played tennis for a while but had to choose between baseball or tennis and went with baseball.

“A lot of my friends play baseball and I’m good friends with “Suik” (Marblehead baseball coach Jason Tarasuik), he’s been a big help in baseball and he has also been helping me with football too,” Quigley said.

Although the 6' 1", 195-pound senior does almost everything right-handed, he blasts the football with his left foot.

“It’s kinda strange, I do everything righty, but I kick lefty," Quigley said. “I’ve been playing football since I was nine, so many people have helped me, Bruce Bial, Chipper Percy, Pie Morris, Paul Horgan, and both of my grandfathers, Dick Case and William Quigley."

The scoreboard at Marblehead High School's Piper Field is named for William Quigley, Will’s paternal grandfather.

Quigley busted in the end zone last fall against Swampscott, breaking the scoring record at , setting the new mark at 112 points. Quigley has also rushed for over 1,500 yards in his high school career.

“I know I have a lot of responsibility now, and I’m looking forward to it, and the start of the season for sure,” Quigley said. “I’ve wanted this since I started playing football, being captain is a big deal for me.”

The Will Quigley File:

Age - 17

Year - Senior at Marblehead High School

Food - Kelly’s Roast Beef

Favorite TV Show - Entourage

Favorite Movie - Friday Night Lights

Musical Group - Third Eye Blind

Most embarrassing song on my iPod - “I think I have my parents wedding song on there.”

Dream -"I want to go to a good college, play football and get a good education."

Favorite Athlete -Brian Scalabrine

Favorite Team -The Boston Red Sox

Up Next - Fall football practice and his senior year at Marblehead High School.