NEEDHAM — In the second year of A Shot For Life Football, Mike Slonina was looking for growth in the charitable endeavor.
And growth is what the CEO and founder got.
There were more players, more teams, more activities, and, most importantly, more money raised for cancer research through MassGeneral Hospital.
All told, this year, A Shot For Life Football raised about $82,000. A year ago, in the ASFL Football’s first crack at it, there was $45,000.
It was a smashing success, any way you want to look at it. Slonina now oversees A Shot For Life in football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and hockey.
“It’s extremely exciting,” Slonina said. “I came away from this last year saying football is going to be a monster. It just wouldn’t happen overnight. Today is a really great step, but it’s going to grow beyond that for Massachusetts. It’s going to grow beyond just a talent-based event. … We’re building this whole department for A Shot For Life. This is a really big day in the process to do that.”
Barrett Pratt, who played quarterback at Catholic Memorial and now attends West Virginia University, helped bring on the 76 players who made up the five 7-on-7 teams. There were some of the best talent in the NEPSAC and MIAA on display.
“It was awesome,” Pratt said. “I think the growth of Year 2 from Year 1 has been insane. It goes, credit all the kids that are on the roster to fundraise and go over that $1,000 goal. Also, the Shot for Life staff, they’re a big-time help in getting the kids in the interviews and stuff like that. It’s just been overall a great experience, and huge growth from Year 1.”
Team Cure beat Team Fight in the championship, 21-14. Quarterbacks Peter Bourque of Tabor and Noah Mackenzie of Walpole had strong days. Chris Colby of Pingree caught a ton of passes from both, and Matt Childs of Milton Academy was involved in a lot of big plays.
At one point, Childs intercepted a pass, and ran to Pat Patriot, who was on hand for part of the day. Childs handed the ball to the mascot, who spiked the ball, and Childs and two teammates crashed to the ground.
It was typical of the competitive, but playful, tone the players had throughout.
“It’s awesome,” Childs said of the cause. “To be able to use football as a way to leverage cancer research, there’s nothing better. Both my grandparents died of cancer, and it means something special to me. I love being out here and doing it.”
Quarterback Michael Landolfi played at Lawrence Academy and will be a PWO addition at Boston College. He liked mixing it up with different teammates.
“I’m going against some serious rivals, and on the same team with some serious rivals,” Landolfi said. “It’s fun playing with these guys. We play Milton Academy, we prepare all week to stop Ryan Parker. Now we’re playing with him? So it’s pretty awesome.”
Justin Marques of Fairhaven liked being able to contribute.
“It was definitely fun. It was great to (play) … for cancer research. It’s such a great cause,” Marques said.
“It’s great to raise money knowing it’s going to cancer research,” Bourque said. “It’s great to get all the best players in Massachusetts out here doing the same thing, for the same goal, and raise all the money.”
Christian Zamor of Everett is a bit of a veteran, as he participated last year. That was played in a heavy downpour. This year was a little chilly and windy at times, but still a marked improvement.
“It’s much better. Last year was a blast. Still very fun, just the energy the guys brought, but I definitely don’t mind having no rain,” Zamor said. “Me and my team have been having fun. It’s good. With the football season being over, it’s good to get out here and just run around with the guys.”
Winchester’s Kieran Corr, who will continue his career at Harvard, won the kicking competition, which included a 55-yard field goal.
Jasper Johnson of Brooks raised the most of any individual player with $7,000.
“It’s incredible to see it blossom the way it has,” Slonina said. “Pat Patriot’s coming today. That’s a really big step. But I think we’re always focused on that next step. We don’t really rest on our laurels a lot here. Yes, it’s exciting, but I look at this and say, this is going to be awesome in Connecticut. And this is going to be awesome in whatever state we’re going to after that.”
