It is one thing to score four touchdowns in JV games, but Freddy June Jr. proved he could put up impressive rushing numbers at the varsity level as well.
So why call an audible? Why would Irondequoit's second-year varsity quarterback tinker with a style of play that often put him in the end zone?
For June, it was never a question of why but, rather, why not, especially if throwing the football would put other Eagles into the end zone.
"(Assistant coach Chris Battaglia) told me I need to start working on throwing more, to make sure I was able to throw and run,” June said.
“I kind of wanted to let them know I could actually handle it. I wanted them to know I can pass, basically under pressure. I don’t have to run all of the time, it’s a waste of energy, I can give looks to other people on the field.”
June's ability to connect in the passing game, began transforming Irondequoit's offense into a unit capable of overwhelming defenses and the Eagles went undefeated until reaching the Section V Class A final.
Look at June's statistics this past season: 1,293 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and 1,220 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns. For good measure, he caught a 52-yard pass for a score for the 9-1 Eagles, leading to his selection as the Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year.
"He's just so dynamic," said Wilson's Greg Mortier, whose Wildcats were the only team to hold June in check in handing the Eagles their lone loss in the Class A final. For Mortier's efforts in guiding Wilson to its first football sectional title, he earned AGR Coach of the Year.
While it's clear June is good on his feet — he had a handful for touchdown runs of more than 65 yards this season — Battaglia continued working with the 6-foot 2-inch, 185-pound junior on refining his footwork while throwing the ball.
“We started with his feet, moved up to hips, arms and his head," Battaglia said. "To be able to play at the next level, he has to be able to throw in the pocket.
"He really worked hard, all the credit goes to him. He’s got a long way to go, but he’s really good."
June said that he's always been a quarterback, back to the when he started playing flag football at the age of five, taking instruction from his father Frederick June Sr.
It was easy to see at the beginning of his high school career that he was "really good." His first varsity touchdown came on a read option play in a sectional playoff game his freshman year. June's talent for escaping tacklers made it obvious to Eagles coaches that he could handle the position his sophomore year.
“I think I took as a learning experience, to see how everything is compared to the lower levels," June said. "I took it way more seriously this year. At the beginning of this year, I knew I was going to be a leader after people on the team left (after graduating).
“You actually do have to communicate, to let (teammates) know what they are doing wrong, let them know what they are doing right."
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June demonstrated that on the field, perhaps no better example than his performance against Canandaigua, during this season's sectional semifinals. June had 472 all-purpose yards, with two rushing and two passing touchdowns. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 244 yards, including 54- and 65-yard touchdown passes to Robert Diaz-Judson.
Irondequoit coach Dan Fichter said that June threw one of those touchdown passes after the snap was fumbled.
“If we can give him the ball 20 more times we would,” Fichter said jokingly. "We chose to run the ball, because that’s where we are better-suited.
“But I don’t want people to get so enamored with his long runs. He can really throw the ball. It will be even more on showcase next year. I want him to be showcased like that. The kid is a great QB.”
JAMESJ@Gannett.com
Meet the athletes who make up this year's All-Greater Rochester football team. Jamie Germano
FIRST TEAM
Freddy June Jr., Irondequoit
Junior quarterback threw for more than 1,200 yards and rushed for over 1,200 yards this season to earn Section V player of the year. Only threw two interceptions. Played varsity football since freshman year. Also plays varsity basketball and was member of state championship team last season. Plays AAU basketball.
Jayden Castrechini, East Rochester/Gananda
Junior running back gained 2,026 rushing yards and scored 26 rushing touchdowns this season. Junior also plays basketball and baseball, earning first-team all-league and sixth-team all-state in baseball. Likes to attend youth football games and see what kids are coming up next in the program and give them advice.
Derrick Chance, Clyde-Savannah
Senior safety and running back rushed for 1,636 yards, scored 30 total touchdowns and was sectional final MVP. An Honor Roll student, helps out at local church. Also a four-year starter on varsity basketball and runs track. Enjoys hanging with my friends. In football, Finger Lakes West first-team offense four straight years and twice the FLW Player of Year.
AJ Clifford, Canandaigua
Senior safety and running back had 370 all-purpose yards in sectional semifinal and also had two touchdowns and two interceptions against East High. Play basketball and runs track. Finished second in 100 and third in the 200 last spring in sectionals. Member of the natural helpers.
Gerald Drumgoole Jr., Irondequoit
Junior wide receiver and safety caught 38 passes for 500 yards and scored 12 touchdowns (7 receiving, 4 rushing, 1 passing). Selected first-team AGR for basketball. Love playing both sports and says it is an honor to be selected first team AGR for football.
Desi Floyd Jr., Wilson
Junior running back and defensive end helped team win sectionals in football for the first time in school history, gaining 239 yards in the championship. Had 23 sacks, 95 tackles and 15 touchdowns. As a sophomore in basketball made all-tournament team in class A2 as team lost in the final. Always working out to become better.
Chrystian Fulton, Wilson
Senior outside linebacker recorded 96 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions, including a pick-six, this season. Helped team win Section V Class A title, earning sectional Defensive Player of the Year and RCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Part of a program called Upward Bound that helps students with their college process. Has a 3.6 GPA and wants to study to be a physician assistant.
Rickey Gamble Jr., Wilson
Junior wide receiver and defensive back helped lead Wilson to Section V Class A championship, the first football title for the school. Has been a High Honor Roll Scholar-Athlete since seventh grade and has 3.5 GPA. Also plays basketball and baseball. Trains with Greg Hopkins at CTC (Changing The Community). Trying to be better as a person and a leader. Says he's blessed to have the teammates and coaching staff he has.
Cory Gross Jr., Brockport
Senior missed three games and still rushed for 794 yards on only 68 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. Played DB, RB, WR, DE. Will attend University at Buffalo.
TJ Jones, Aquinas
Senior running back and linebacker rushed for 630 rushing yards 10 total touchdowns. Also made 103 tackles and 1 interception. Named MVP of sectional championship and was a team captain. Three-sport athlete also plays basketball and runs track. Loves to listen to music and hang out with friends. Attends church every Sunday.
Matt Klenk, Pittsford
Senior left tackle had three teammates ran for more than 500 rushing yards this season. Selected first-team All-County after being named second-team All-County a year ago. Involved in Link Crew, Math Club and will be in the spring musical. Attended Boys State through the American Legion. Hobbies include lifting, hanging out with friends, and bowling.
Ray Leach, Batavia
Junior running back and linebaker is two-time AGR selection. Also made first-team all-state in Class B as a sophomore. Gained 1,563 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns this past season. Holds school record for most TDs in a game.
Mike Masucci, Webster Schroeder
Senior had 58 catches for 710 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Played WR, CB, KR, PR. Also plays baseball. Was second-team All-County last year for both. Likes to ski In the winter.
Kobe McNair, Aquinas
Junior wide receiver caught 23 passes for 580 yards and scored nine touchdowns this season. Team captain for Section V Class AA champions. Trains and plays 7-on-7 for CTC (Changing the Community) which has been a big part of perfecting my craft as a better football player and team player. A student Ambassador at school. Worked for InControl, a program for Teens/About Teens.
Mike Novitsky, Victor
Senior tight end and defensive end is two-time AGR selection and All-County selection. Named Monroe County D2 player of the year after finishing with 32 catches for 450 yards and seven touchdowns. Recorded 175 career tackles and 12 sacks. Also a two-time state champion with Victor lacrosse and a four-year varsity starter in football. Has a 92 average and will attend University at Buffalo.
Jared Petrichick, Pittsford
Senior safety and wide receiver recorded 104 tackles, as well as gained 228 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns overall. Earned Class AA defensive player of the year and was the defensive player of the game in the sectional championship. Also plays baseball and was second-team All-County as a sophomore and first-team All-County as a junior. Enjoys riding four-wheelers, fishing and golfing with friends.
Dominic Polizzi, Brockport
Junior offensive guard and defensive tackle recorded 36 tackles (10 solo), 3 sacks and 1 interception. Played on 2015 sectional championship team and was All-County OL as a sophomore. Also throws the shot put during indoor track. Enjoys lifting weights and playing video games.
Anthony Ray, Batavia
Senior defensive tackle and offensive guard recorded 61 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 27 QB pressures. Also competes in indoor and outdoor track and this is his sixth consecutive first-team AGR selection. Helped team win three Class B sectional championships in football and in 2016 earned first-team all-state honors. Enjoys competing, working out, playing video games with friends. Has 14 sectionals patches between football and track.
Cal Rivera, Pittsford
Senior offensive tackle and long snapper Helped anchor an offensive line that averaged 2,400 yards rushing for the past 3 seasons. A four-year varsity member, three-year starter and team captain this year. Three-time All-Monroe County. National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete and a member of National Honor Society. Class vice president and four-year Student Council member. Head of Publicity for Link Crew. Planning on studying engineering in college. Gave verbal commitment to Lehigh University.
Caron Robinson, Aquinas
Junior defensive end and running back totaled 269 yards and scored three touchdowns. Likes to draw and wants to take art and design in college.
Andrew Russell, Victor
Senior wide receiver and safety is two-time AGR selection. Finished with 200 career tackles, including 150 solo. Credits father with teaching him game and instilling passion for football. Thanks Victor football and Section V for a great career and memories to cherish.
Rayshauid Smith, Eastridge
Senior wide receiver and safety scored 13 touchdowns and had 91 tackles and is a two-time first-team All-County selection. In 2016, earned defensive player of the year. Football taught me to be a better athlete as well as a better man, while going to the next level.
Chris Varone, Victor
Senior linebaker and running back ran for 900 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Earned first-team All-County, player of the game in Teddi Bowl vs. Aquinas. Co-MVP of team for football. Also plays baseball. National Honor Society member, volunteer at local church and food cupboard.
Hunter Walsh, McQuaid
Junior quarterback threw for 1,578 yards while completing more than 70 percent of his passes and scored 20 overall touchdowns. Earned RCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Also plays baseball and has been on varsity since freshman year as right-handed pitcher and also right fielder. Hobbies include fishing, golfing and community service.
Nate Whybra, Hilton
Senior offensive guard and defensive tackle recorded 34 tackles and three sacks. Taught pee wee football as volunteer work for National Honor Society. Used to volunteer in the Hilton Fire Department. Last season was sectional wrestling champion at 220 pounds. First-team all-league offensive guard this year. Has a 98 average and favorite subjects in school are science, math, and technology.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Greg Mortier, Wilson
Physical education teacher in Rochester City School District has coached Wilson football for 17 years. Previously spent 16 seasons coachign Wilson softball. Married to wife, Doreen, with children Alyssa and Jake. Enjoys traveling, watching his son's Le Moyne lacrosse games and fishing and hunting. Resides in North Chili.
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Meet the rest of the 2017 AGR Fall teams
Football | Boys Soccer | Girls Soccer | Boys Volleyball | Girls Volleyball | Boys Cross Country | Girls Cross Country | Girls Swimming | Girls Golf | Field Hockey l Girls tennis
Read: Past AGR teams | Search our database: Every AGR team since 1967 l 2017 AGR Spring Teams | 2016-17 AGR Winter Teams | 2016 AGR Fall Teams
