Senior Year. Three years in the making and you finally get to shine after waiting for so long. Those Friday night lights shining down on you after you throw that winning touchdown, and in that moment alone you realize, the wait was totally worth it. Dan Codispoti, senior here at Patchogue-Medford, has been playing football all his life. From little league up until now, Dan has always played this exciting sport. But, being a senior, this year is the most special, and important, of his whole football career. It is finally his turn to take the reins and lead this football team to a winning record and possibly the Suffolk County Championship, after a not-so-hot team last year. Dan had a lot to say about this upcoming football season from talking about him as a player, to a little more personal details about what it truly means to him being the varsity starting quarterback.

How does it feel to finally be a senior and starting quarterback for the PMHS varsity football team?

It’s an exciting feeling finally being a senior and the quarterback on the varsity football team, every time I step out on the field it’s like the very first practice, so much excitement and energy with every snap.

What are your thoughts for this season considering you have had some success already in your first couple of games?

We are off to a great start and I am looking forward to seeing where the season take us. We have a tough task in facing the preseason ranked 3 seed this week at Ward Melville, but we will be prepared to compete with anybody.

Do you see a major difference between the 2015-2016 team and this year’s team, if so, why?

There is a major difference from last year’s team to this year’s team in that we always have each other’s backs. This year we play for the person next to us, and not like individuals like we did last year. Because of that, we are off to a much better start to the season.

Do you believe this team compares to the 2014-2015 team who attended the play offs and the Suffolk County Championship? Why or why not?

Yes, this team reminds me a little but if that 2014-2015 team because of how close we are to one another. This team has a great bond off the field which translates to on the field. Watching that team get to the SCC game was awesome, and our goal is to go one more step beyond that and hopefully play for the Long Island Championship.

What are your biggest strengths and struggles being the starting quarterback?

My biggest struggle being the starting quarterback is the whole package that comes with the job. In being the leader and handling situations between the team, knowing what everyone needs to do every play, then executing the play with perfection. Everyone makes mistakes, but being the quarterback you get picked on for every single one. Which I feel is the hardest part in being a quarterback, dealing with the pressure.

Does the idea of going against Sachem East, one our so called “rivals” here at Pat Med, on homecoming frighten you? Why or why not?

We go into every game prepared and expected to give 110% on every play. And if we do that we should come out on top every time. Nothing changes just because it is home coming. Yes, we might have a little more motivation playing in front of thousands of people and against our cross town rival, Sachem east, but we will go out there a fight the same way just like we do for every game til the last snap.

Lastly, what do you hope to accomplish being the starting quarterback both on and off the field?

There is nothing to accomplish being the quarterback off the field. But on the field, I expect nothing less than a win after every game. My stats don’t matter to me. Yeah it will be cool to make the boomer game or win the Boomer Esiason award for the best QB on the island but, there is no better feeling then winning. And it’s my job to come out with a win and if I do that then we will bring home the best award anyone can get, the Long Island Championship.