Kevin Macari has been training for this moment since he was in eighth grade. And it has paid off: The explosive New Canaan wide receiver has become one of the premier players in the state.
"I was injured my sophomore year and slowly came back last year," Macari said after New Canaan's semifinal win over Daniel Hand. "I've been working to get in this kind of shape for a long time. We have a great summer of preparation, and our program does a tremendous job with strength and conditioning in the offseason."
As the Class L state football final looms for New Canaan, it is impossible to underestimate Macari's value. Head coach Lou Marinelli is direct when addressing the topic. "Thank god we have Kevin Macari," he said after a recent game.
New Canaan's game plan against a powerful Masuk team will likely live and die by the success of Macari, no matter how well the rest of the team plays. Macari leads all receivers in the state with 22 touchdown receptions through 12 games. He also has seen success on the other side of the ball as a defensive back with five scores on interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Teams have known Macari was coming and still could not stop him. Masuk will try to be the first team to do what no one else has done all yearshut down Macari.
"Our offensive coordinators do an excellent job figuring out what [opposing teams] are trying to do to stop me," Macari said. "We go at it week by week and test it in practice and it gets me prepared. The kids have gotten a little bigger and a little faster every week, but we work really hard in practice to get ready."
What will happen when the unstoppable force of Macari meets the immovable object this is the Masuk defense? We'll find out on Saturday at 3 p.m. in East Hartford in the title game. Who do you think will win? Comment below.
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