Sewanhaka Indians Head Football Coach George Kasimatis doesn’t need to look far when he needs someone to anchor his defensive line.
Senior defensive lineman Peter Militano is the line’s captain and Kasimatis said he never has to worry about him when he’s on the field.
Militano has the ability to read the opposing offense and know where he has to be on the field, whether it is getting after the quarterback or preventing a screen pass.
On offense, he helps anchor the run game, playing fullback for the Indians.
“He gets the tough yards and is a good receiver out of the backfield,” Kasimatis said.
Militano plays a vital role on the offense, as he opens up running lanes for starting running back Brenton Mighty.
“He is Brenton’s best friend,” Kasimatis said. “He is one of the few two-way starters we have on the team.”
Militano not only hopes to enjoy his final year of football, but hopes to excel.
“I want to keep exceeding each week and be the best that I can,” he said.
“For the team, I want us to stick together and keep getting better week after week,” he added.
Militano has been playing football since he was five years old and has been playing for Sewanhaka since he was in seventh grade. He joined varsity in 10th grade.
Militano started out as a linebacker before adjusting as a defensive lineman. He alternated positions for a while, but playing linebacker has helped him be able to play in coverage when he has to.
“He is able to read the opposing offense and is able to sniff out screen passes,” Kasimatis said. “He has a great understanding of the game and knows when to drop back and when to get after the quarterback.”
While Kasimatis believes Militano could play football in college, it is likely that he will end up playing lacrosse.
Militano would like to play both in college, but many programs want students to select one sport. He is currently looking into playing lacrosse for NYIT, which does not have a football program. NYIT’s lacrosse program has won four NCAA Division II national championships.
Militano has been playing lacrosse since he was six years old and has been a starter at the varsity level since eighth grade. He is an attack man and one of the best scorers in school history.
“He is one of the all-time leading scorers in school history and we have a rich history of lacrosse at the Sewanhaka,” said Kasimatis.
Militano said once the season is over, he will miss the family bond with his teammates.
