Athletes of the Week: Varsity Football Captains

Boys’ varsity football, led by senior co-captains Jake Blaisdell, Isaac Choate and Kendal Walker, only has eight quarters left in its season. The trio has proven themselves as positive role models, motivating the team through their first six games.

Walker started playing football when he was young and found interest in the sport because of others who played in his hometown. He quickly fell in love with the sport and pursued this passion when he came to Exeter. Walker’s philosophy on football is to “treat each week like a season. Football is really hard, it’s not like preparing for a game of any other sport. You need to watch films [and] really study your opponents,” he said.

Walker’s fellow teammates admire his leadership. Prep Trevor Chun praised Walker for how he “helps new guys out.” Not only does Walker know how to give good advice, but he also put his words into his actions.

Quarterback and upper Josh Riddick commented on Walker as a role model. “[Walker] always leads by example, playing through bumps and bruises,” Riddick said. Walker’s work ethic is undoubtedly stellar. “Consistency is key, you got to be the first one in and the last one out,” Walker said.

According to head coach Rob Morris, Walker “never misses a day” of practice. Throughout the season, Morris noticed that Walker’s competitive drive and “love of football rubs off on everyone.” Walker’s aim to positively impact his peers expands further than the field, as a proctor and student listener in Main Street Hall. Walker’s main goal for football, for his teammates and for the community is to spread kindness. Even though football is referred to as a tough sport, to him, it’s all about “looking out” for one another.

Blaisdell started playing football during his sophomore year of high school in his hometown of Keene, New Hampshire. When he came to Exeter as a repeat upper, he was planning to quit the sport and focus on basketball, but Choate convinced him to pursue both. “Isaac Choate gave me my tour and said, ‘Man, you [have] got to play football.’ So I [agreed] and I fell in love with it,” Blaisdell said.

At Exeter, he explained how his motivation for the sport deepened. “[I] found teammates and coaches that believed in me so, in turn, it made me want to work harder,” Blaisdell said. He believes that football helped make him the man he is today. “There’s a lot of overcoming adversity and learning discipline, but football has gotten me through those tough times.”

Morris praised his grit, saying, “Jake is mentally and physically tough, relentless [and] never comes off the field.” As a middle linebacker, his leadership skills are crucial for the team’s success, and it has shown through during practices: Blaisdell’s signature “baby, baby” call never fails to hype his teammates up.

As captain, Blaisdell leads by example. Similar to Walker, he makes it a point to be the first one at practice and the last to leave. “If I’m ten minutes early, I’m five minutes late,” he said. Morris commended Blaisdell for his loyalty to the team. Morris said, “He has an incredible work ethic and never misses a day.”

Off the field, Blaisdell believes that small things can make the biggest difference. Whenever he sees a teammate on the path, he always tries to “smile at them and ask them how their day is going.”

Before the academic school year started, Blaisdell and the team were on campus early for a grueling preseason. Blaisdell, however, kept encouraging the team through the strenuous athletic period. “People are sore and don’t want to lift or go to practice. But, collectively you raise everybody out and say ‘Okay, it’s time to go to work.’” Riddick recognized Blaisdell for being “a great motivator for the group” and how he “plays very intelligently.”

One of the reasons Blaisdell looks forward to practice everyday is because of his teammates. To him, they’re all working towards a common goal and the team dynamic has helped them all become a lot closer. Walker commented on Blaisdell’s unwavering commitment to intensity on the field. “He doesn’t preach from his soapbox, he actually goes out and works hard,” he said. 

Choate began playing football when he entered Exeter as a prep. As a captain, he finds it important to keep the team motivated and gives his very all during training. “His approach to practice and the effort he puts in is contagious,” said Coach Morris. “He just loves football.”

Despite injuries to his hand and shoulder, Choate dedicates the same amount of energy in making sure he remains in shape. “Even when he’s injured, he shows up to practice. Everytime,” Blaisdell said.

Chun described one of Choate’s best qualities as his ability to bring the team together. “I would definitely say that Isaac embodies the ‘togetherness’ mindset of the team. Even though I rarely get to work with him, his hardworking attitude really rubs off on me.”

Morris noted the growth he has observed in Choate over the past few years. “Isaac has matured physically and emotionally over the past four years, and has come out to be a great leader because of it.” Through his experience with learning to embrace the culture of the team, Choate is able to recognize the younger players’ struggles and help push them through it, just as his predecessors did for him.

Morris appreciated the trio’s ability to unite the team. “Each of them embodies our credo of ‘Together.’ I have been around a lot of teams in my coaching career and have seen older guys not pay any attention to younger guys or to guys who don’t play much…not these captains. They are inclusive and care about every individual on the team from teammates to managers to coaches,” Morris said.

All three captains plan to continue playing football in college. However, in terms of the remaining season, the team is looking forward to giving it their best. Most importantly, they want to maintain a supporting environment within the team, one that exemplifies a love for football within all its players. Riddick said, “The biggest lesson I have learned from them is staying positive through hard times, whether on or off the field. This team has been through a lot, but they always put us first.”