Freshman Makes Big Leaps For Episcopal Academy

NEWTOWN SQUARE–John Minicozzi was a little nervous at first. Who could blame the 5-foot-10, 225-pound freshman.

He was making the huge, gaping jump from grade school football at Springton Lake Middle School, in Media, where he lives, to the larger, faster world of high school varsity football.

But Minicozzi is doing very well. He had a sack and a safety in two weeks ago, and he’s proven to be a viable player each time he’s been in the game.

What makes Minicozzi that much more special is the switch in position he’s made from middle linebacker and fullback in eighth grade to offensive guard and defensive end in high school.

“I was kind of nervous in the beginning playing with the varsity,” Minicozzi said. “I was in the weight room all season and we don’t have a lot of depth at the line. A lot of the teams we play, it comes down to quickness."

Minicozzi is used to playing with the big boys since he was young but admits it's a faster game now.

"Since I was 6, I always played up with the older kids because I was heavier. The adjustment wasn’t that hard then, but this is a much faster game at the varsity level. The physical demands are a lot," shared Minicozzi.

Minicozzi shares the demands playing on the varsity level with the Churchmen, but believes it's been a learning process.

"I think I know the speed of the game better from my first game because I was a little out of control and over anxious. I’m learning to stay back and read. I’m thinking more on the field—that’s the biggest transition," said Minicozzi. "Physically, it’s more demanding; mentally, it’s even more important to know what to do and where to be.”

In a short span of time, Minicozzi is already finding that out.