Motivation + fortitude + ability = excellence: What makes Maine-Endwell's Adam DeSantis tick

The strapping lad who may just be Section 4’s finest returning football player has, in two full-fledged varsity seasons, been:

** A both-way starter and central figure for 25 victories in 26 opportunities, twin toppers of course consecutive Class B state championships.

** Identified as Defensive Player of the Game each of those state finals.

** Twice recognized as first-team all-state by the New York State Sports Writers Association, last autumn as co-Player of the Year.

Do share, Adam DeSantis, how and why that has all come to pass. What sets you apart, makes you “that guy,” the most effective and conspicuous among those sporting jersey numbers in the 50s, 60s and 70s?

“I try to make sure whenever I’m on the field, whoever I’m playing or whatever situation I’m in, they know that that guy’s willing to work, he’s willing to put in time, he’s willing to put in every ounce of effort he has on every single play. I pride myself on not taking plays off,” said Maine-Endwell’s senior stalwart, offensive tackle and defensive end extraordinaire.

Fine, many strive to do just that. But, how to achieve it? How to motivate oneself to sustain that superior level of Zero Let-Up?

“You have to realize that the pain of fighting for one more second, one more rep, one more play - whatever it is - is a whole lot less than the pain of losing a game, the pain of not being noticed, or the pain of being underestimated, all those things. Those pains amount to a whole lot more than physically fighting one more play at 100 percent.”

The formula to acknowledge no “off” switch from snap to whistle, to compete relentlessly whether trailing 8-0 or ahead by a mounting stack of touchdowns, requires conditioning of mind and body. Coupled with finely honed technique, that chart-busting resolve and determination to be No. 1 has made M-E’s No. 65 a highlighted player on most every opponent’s scouting report.

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Those up and down the schedule should be forewarned: The 2023 version of DeSantis stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 245 pounds - up 20 pounds from a season ago. “A heck of a lot stronger and as fast, if not a little faster,” said Spartans coach Matt Gallagher.

DeSantis, who’ll be accompanied by a deep and seasoned cast of returners that figures to have Maine-Endwell in state-championship conversation for a third successive season, has accepted Colgate University’s offer to join its football program. Brother A.J. was an offensive line starter for that Patriot League program through last season. Sister Amanda is a member of the Raiders’ softball program.

Adam strongly considered Lehigh University, and the United States Military Academy came calling. The latter, given post-graduate service obligations, did not align with his intention to be graduated from medical school 10 years from the present.

Football his athletic calling

DeSantis is a three-sporter at M-E, baseball pitcher and sometime infielder as well as man-sized presence on the basketball interior. But his clear-cut No. 1 is football, has been and will be.

“There’s something about it. You get to play just once a week, you wear the jersey down the hall - there are all these factors that, for me, make it a perfect sport,” he said. “I love it. I love walking down the stairs to the field, I love jumping up and down with everybody, I love going out and getting to hit somebody. It’s just a great time and beyond that the life lessons it teaches you are like no other.”

He relishes a challenge, a worthy opponent, opportunity to have at it and make the preparation worthwhile. He is respectful of the game and the opponent, and is aware his and Maine-Endwell’s reputations tend to make for heightened levels of preparedness and enthusiasm from foes on a regular basis. To get the better of M-E, and its No. 65, is akin to a badge.

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“If you as a team or as a person are getting someone’s best game, you look back at it and think, those kids played way better than they usually do or whatever, we did something to cause that,” he said. “We’ve earned the right to gain somebody’s best game. You look at it like, I’m really happy that person gave me his best game because they saw something in us that made them willing to go that far.”

Indeed, he has wondered a time or 20 what it might be like to oppose Maine-Endwell while wearing the other-colored jersey.

“That’s something I think about a lot. It feels like we get a different preparation, a different amount of juice coming from those guys,” he said. “We play against some high-energy kids and it’s a lot of fun. I live for it.”

‘Just does everything right’

As head of a program that has harvested seven state championships, six on his watch, Gallagher has coached myriad high-grade student-athletes. Do recall, this is a program that strung a New York-record 62 victories and four state titles beginning in 2011. And so, he is highly qualified to evaluate the Spartans’ present best of the best.

“Adam just does everything right, on and off the field. He represents Maine-Endwell and our program the way he’s supposed to,” the coach said of a young man who carries a weighted 4.0 classroom average. “You combine that with the talent he has, he’s an instant leader just because of that. He carries himself the way he’s supposed to - plus, he’s good. You put that together and he’s the guy you want representing your team, your school, your community.”

Michael Mancini quarterbacked M-E’s 2021 state champions when DeSantis was a mere pup of a sophomore. Mancini was struck even then by just what the Spartans had at the time and going forward.

“In practices you’ve got to make sure you’re ready when you see Adam, because you don’t know if he’s going to run 100 (miles per hour) at you and stop or just keep running,” he said. “And then you see kids on their backs as whoever is running to the end zone - and then you see Adam right behind them.

“There were times I’d be running, say, QB Counter and Adam would be plowing a kid over and keep running, and I’m trying to catch up to him.”

Mission is clear

DeSantis articulates a zero-doubts approach to his final high school football season. No moonshine, no sweet coating.

Tossed his way: “This season will not be a success unless we?”

“Win a state championship,” came the reply with less than a second’s hesitation. “All those guys in the locker room know it, too. We’ve got 12 steps before we even get there, but they’re willing to work for every single one of those steps and then work to finish it off in the Dome.”

It is, by his estimation, a championship-worthy group based in part on, “Gritty toughness and absurd tenacity. A lot of workaholics and guys who want to play four quarters of football.”

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Maine-Endwell football player DeSantis in store for big senior season