Bishop Connolly sophomore Mikey Croteau loves football, yet when this high school canceled the football season last year because of a lack of participants, he called it a personal blessing in disguise.

The year off from football allowed Croteau to spend more time in the weight room, which, in turn, led to him putting on nearly 20 pounds of muscle and setting four state powerlifting records.

"Not having football was bittersweet," said Croteau, who stands 6-feet tall and weighs in at 205 pounds. "I love football. I would give my right arm to play football, but because of that time off, I was able to gain more strength and muscle."

Croteau was able to display that strength on March 10 at the Ninth Annual USA Powerlifting Ryan Moore New England States Open High School Championship, a powerlifting competition held at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood.

Taking part in the 105 kg weight class for 14 and 15 year olds, Croteau came away with four state records (deadlift, bench press, bench press single lift and total weight). Croteau's deadlift was 227.5 kg (501.5 pounds), bench press 127.5 kg (281 pounds) and his cumulative weight was 1,185 pounds.

"I took part in three competitions this winter," Croteau said. "My dad was looking at some of the state records in my class and I was right there. He said we should look into doing this. I was hesitant at first. I knew the first one would be a learning experience, but I figured I'd give it a shot."

For Croteau, the weight lifting began in the fourth grade as a way to bulk up for football and has gradually picked up steam.

"In fourth grade I was playing football in Dartmouth," Croteau said. "I was on the line and my father suggested I lift some weights to get stronger. We started with five-pound dumbbells, but I really didn't get into a routine until about sixth grade. In the seventh grade, I started doing squats, bench. I've noticed a big difference. I was 185 (pounds) in my freshman year and now I'm 205."

Although he loves his football, Croteau, who also plays lacrosse for the Cougars, says the weightlifting is something he enjoys just as much.

"It's a lot of fun," he said. "It's the best way for me to stay in shape. It's also fun to keep setting goals and trying to reach them."

Croteau will also be back in action on the football field for the Cougars this fall as Bishop Connolly will be a co-op program with St. John Paul II.

Croteau admits he wasn't always the athletic type. In fact, he remembers being told by a doctor he would never play sports.

"I had very bad balance," he said. "I had no coordination at all. I spent a lot of time going through occupational therapy. Basically, I was just a big klutz. I had a lot of physical limitations, but being told I would never play sports has stuck with me. I use that as motivation."

 Mike Thomas is the sports editor of The Herald News. Follow him on Twitter @NostraThomasHN.