SCOL Player Profile: Hunick 'never takes a break' to achieve football goals
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
"It's like a legal fight. You can hit as hard as you can, without getting into trouble. I've got nothing to lose. I'm going to leave it all out on the field." — Mason Hunick
Mason Hunick not only loves to play the game of football, but he looks like a player who was made to play as he steps onto the gridiron with winning demeanor, tattoos, and a mindset of doing whatever is necessary to win the games and to play at a top level.
But it is the way he prepares for the upcoming 2010 football season that will make a difference for the Hillsboro Indians this fall.
Hunick said he not only prepares in actual team activities but works out twice a day to keep in shape and gain strength for Friday night football.
"I love the weight room. The sound of metal clanking together and pushing people," Hunick said. "I started when I was younger, and I lift between seven-to-nine times a week."
The Hillsboro senior also is big into power lifting and holds records in that style of weight lifting. Hunick is also a wrestler (76-32) and won the district championship in the 100-meter dash in track last season.
"The nice thing about Mason is he is a three-sport guy who works hard all year to improve and get better," HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. "We encourage kids to play more than one sport, and Mason is one of those standout guys who never takes a break."
But all the lifting weights and running cycles back to the gridiron, where Hunick wants the help lead the Indians to another big season in his third and final varsity season. Last year on the defensive side of the ball Hunick had 57 tackles, 15 unassisted.
"Last year, we couldn't believe we started 3-0, after going 2-8 the year before. But Coach (Brian) Spicer came here and all of us worked hard, and he has us playing football as a team," Hunick said.
Just like most players who suit up each Friday night, Hunick enjoys the physicality of the game.
"I started playing in eighth grade, and getting better at wrestling has helped me in football. I love to hit people, and I love being a part of the team," Hunick said. “With football, I like how you have to depend on someone."
But during his early days of playing football, Hunick said he didn't see the field much.
"When I started playing, I didn't play much at all. I wanted to be on the field, but I just wasn't big enough yet," Hunick said. "That's when I started getting into weight lifting, and we also log at our house on a 10-acre lot. When I did that, I started losing fat and gaining muscle. We also have a gym at our house, where I work out a lot."
The Rotary Bowl trophy has sat in the Hillsboro trophy case since Hunick has been a part of the varsity squad, and that is where he wants it to stay.
The Rotary Bowl trophy goes to the winner of the HHS-McClain winner each season.
"We've never lost to Greenfield in my time in varsity football and I want to win against them again this year," Hunick said.
Hunick also talked about one of his best times while playing for the Indians.
"One of my favorite moments at the varsity level is when I returned a kickoff last season during our homecoming game against Washington," he said.
When asked if he liked offense or defense better, Hunick said he liked both for different reasons.
"On defense, the hitting and getting interceptions are the best things, but I like scoring touchdowns," Hunick said. "I also like playing special teams because I like to see how much faster I am, plus I love making the cuts and watching the linemen making the blocks I know they can make."
Spicer continued to compliment the work ethic of Hunick, saying he (Hunick) and the rest of the senior class know hard work pays off.
"Mason is a two-way starter and will be a halfback this year. He embraces the additional duties of carrying the football," Spicer said. "He's always working, and he leads by example, just like the rest of this senior class, and that is a good thing.
"Mason has stepped up, and you can see the smoothness of the transition of being one of the leaders on this football team."
Though he likes both sides of the football, Hunick does have goals he is striving for.
"I would like to get 1,000 yards, some touchdowns, return another TD, win our homecoming game, and win the Rotary Bowl, again.
With the eight-win season last year, Hunick said he doesn't want his team to get worse.
"We play against some top teams, so our schedule is tough, but with this being my final season, I want to leave everything out on the field."[[In-content Ad]]
Mason Hunick not only loves to play the game of football, but he looks like a player who was made to play as he steps onto the gridiron with winning demeanor, tattoos, and a mindset of doing whatever is necessary to win the games and to play at a top level.
But it is the way he prepares for the upcoming 2010 football season that will make a difference for the Hillsboro Indians this fall.
Hunick said he not only prepares in actual team activities but works out twice a day to keep in shape and gain strength for Friday night football.
"I love the weight room. The sound of metal clanking together and pushing people," Hunick said. "I started when I was younger, and I lift between seven-to-nine times a week."
The Hillsboro senior also is big into power lifting and holds records in that style of weight lifting. Hunick is also a wrestler (76-32) and won the district championship in the 100-meter dash in track last season.
"The nice thing about Mason is he is a three-sport guy who works hard all year to improve and get better," HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. "We encourage kids to play more than one sport, and Mason is one of those standout guys who never takes a break."
But all the lifting weights and running cycles back to the gridiron, where Hunick wants the help lead the Indians to another big season in his third and final varsity season. Last year on the defensive side of the ball Hunick had 57 tackles, 15 unassisted.
"Last year, we couldn't believe we started 3-0, after going 2-8 the year before. But Coach (Brian) Spicer came here and all of us worked hard, and he has us playing football as a team," Hunick said.
Just like most players who suit up each Friday night, Hunick enjoys the physicality of the game.
"I started playing in eighth grade, and getting better at wrestling has helped me in football. I love to hit people, and I love being a part of the team," Hunick said. “With football, I like how you have to depend on someone."
But during his early days of playing football, Hunick said he didn't see the field much.
"When I started playing, I didn't play much at all. I wanted to be on the field, but I just wasn't big enough yet," Hunick said. "That's when I started getting into weight lifting, and we also log at our house on a 10-acre lot. When I did that, I started losing fat and gaining muscle. We also have a gym at our house, where I work out a lot."
The Rotary Bowl trophy has sat in the Hillsboro trophy case since Hunick has been a part of the varsity squad, and that is where he wants it to stay.
The Rotary Bowl trophy goes to the winner of the HHS-McClain winner each season.
"We've never lost to Greenfield in my time in varsity football and I want to win against them again this year," Hunick said.
Hunick also talked about one of his best times while playing for the Indians.
"One of my favorite moments at the varsity level is when I returned a kickoff last season during our homecoming game against Washington," he said.
When asked if he liked offense or defense better, Hunick said he liked both for different reasons.
"On defense, the hitting and getting interceptions are the best things, but I like scoring touchdowns," Hunick said. "I also like playing special teams because I like to see how much faster I am, plus I love making the cuts and watching the linemen making the blocks I know they can make."
Spicer continued to compliment the work ethic of Hunick, saying he (Hunick) and the rest of the senior class know hard work pays off.
"Mason is a two-way starter and will be a halfback this year. He embraces the additional duties of carrying the football," Spicer said. "He's always working, and he leads by example, just like the rest of this senior class, and that is a good thing.
"Mason has stepped up, and you can see the smoothness of the transition of being one of the leaders on this football team."
Though he likes both sides of the football, Hunick does have goals he is striving for.
"I would like to get 1,000 yards, some touchdowns, return another TD, win our homecoming game, and win the Rotary Bowl, again.
With the eight-win season last year, Hunick said he doesn't want his team to get worse.
"We play against some top teams, so our schedule is tough, but with this being my final season, I want to leave everything out on the field."[[In-content Ad]]