Following the Cougars' Vocal Leader

There is a reason why Springfield is off to its best start in about 20 years that won’t show up in a stat sheet or anywhere, for that matter. It’s something that only the Cougars and their coaching staff would know about and it arrives on the practice field, and in the locker room, where someone isn’t jotting down figures or totals. It’s about leadership, the kind provided by senior two-way lineman John Ciurlino, a team captain who starts at tackle and defensive end.

“I said this at our banquet last year: ‘John is one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around as a football coach; he’s the kid that puts the team before himself,” Cougars’ coach Tom Kline said. “John’s come back from a torn ACL last year and he’s done such a great job for us. He’s a very vocal kid, and if someone doesn’t do something, he’ll let them know about it.

“Matt Craig, our star running back last year, said he would do anything that John said, because he sells out for the team, and that’s a senior last year talking about a junior. That says something. John has been a huge part of our success this year. He’s been a huge part of why this program has moved forward and been a success, not just physically. He’s one of the kids that bought in, and when he tells kids to do something, they do it.”