By Jamie Lasorsa
At age 3, Anthony Viano and his family relocated from Sterling to California due to a job opportunity for his father Mike. Little did they know, 11 years later fate would have them returning to Sterling and Anthony would be making a name for himself in the world of football.
Sports competition has always been a love for Anthony, being a competitive swimmer from the ages of 6-10 and being a starting catcher in baseball, but at the age of 10 he found his love for the game of football.
When circumstances brought his family back to Sterling, he wanted to continue grooming his skills as a football player. Due to Covid manipulating the youth sports schedule, the football season took place a bit earlier than usual and after being back less than a year, he signed up to play with the Wachusett American Youth Football League (AYF). This league brings together kids from Sterling, Holden, Princeton, Rutland, and Paxton, to compete against other central MA teams.
Anthony instantly rose as a leader among his peers and was voted by his teammates to be a team captain. He played hard, listened to the advice of coaches, and worked to be a role model for his team. In September of 2021 Anthony’s hard work paid off and he was elected by his coach to try out for the Central MA All-Star team. 17 teams from all over Central MA would send their best players to try-out for a position on the All-Star team which would travel to compete at Nationals in Florida. Anthony was one of the thirty-five 13–14-year-olds who made the team out of 100 trying out.
He traveled to the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee Florida for the National AYF Championship from December 3rd through 12th . He played in 3 games, winning against Nevada and Maryland, but loosing out to Georgia. The team placed 3rd in overall National Rank, which is something he is very proud of.
His family traveled with him to Florida, making jerseys and being his cheerleaders in the stands, but there was also lots of extended family supporting him back home in Sterling. Games were livestreamed so family could watch and cheer him on from afar and dad was receiving cheers and encouragement through text to pass along to Anthony.
As Anthony reflected on the trip, he said his nerves were high and worry of performing at his best was present, but once he started playing the game he loves, that all moved to the background. He recognizes and gives credit to the other players he has played against who may have been better players than himself, but he takes that as an opportunity to learn and says, “it’s better to play against those who are as good or better than you, that way you work hard to play at that level and elevate yourself”.
It wasn’t all business on this trip though, as Universal Studios shut down one evening to let all the youth of AYF football and cheer enjoy the park one night by themselves. Anthony says his favorite ride was the Hulk roller-coaster.
As he sets his sights on what’s next, Anthony continues to work hard in the off-season and spends 3 or more days in the gym working out with mentors at different facilities. He is working hard in anticipation of try-outs for the JV team next year during his freshman year. Long term, Anthony has a goal of playing professional football in the NFL, with sights set on playing for the New England Patriots. With this young man’s drive and dedication to his sport, I think Mr. Kraft should keep an eye out!