RallyNorth.net

Greater Lawrence Reggies Football '07

'Free spirit' Cote Greater Lawrence's vocal leader

  • Currently 0.0 with 0 votes.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Greater Lawrence Tech's John Cote attempts to tackle Whittier Tech's Craig Eaton in the fourth quarter. » Angie Beaulieu, Staff Photographer

Friday, November, 30 By David Willis
Staff writer

Whether it's practice or a game, one noise is a constant around the Greater Lawrence Tech football team.

"(John) Cote just loves the game and he doesn't shut up," said Reggies head coach Tony Sarkis with a chuckle. "It's never negative, but he's always talking and he always has something to say."

Whether he's barking out instructions to a teammate out of position or trying to lighten the mood in a tense moment, Cote's voice is the soundtrack for the Commonwealth Conference Large champion Greater Lawrence squad that will be facing East Boston for the Eastern Mass. Division 3A Super Bowl title today at 9:30 a.m. at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

"He does a lot of yelling to wake us up," said teammate Miguel Plaza. "He makes sure we are doing our best and gets us in the game."

And Cote, a Lawrence resident, has earned that respect on the field.

A part-time player his first two years on the varsity team, the senior has emerged as a key member of the Reggies defense this season at linebacker.

"He's a physical player that takes on blocks and can make plays from sideline to sideline," said Sarkis. "He's one of the few linebackers that can read the guards.

"He plays wherever the opponent's strength is. If they run to the outside, he plays outside. If they run up the middle, he plays on the inside. He'll also cover backs out of the backfield."

Cote knows his football. He began playing when he was 6 years old in the Lawrence Youth Football system. But this offseason was his most intense.

"I was really pounding the weights and was running and sprinting to get ready for the season," he said. "We knew this year could be a big year."

Through 12 games this season, the 5-foot-10, 190 pounder has recorded 75 tackles, four behind team leader Jorge Cruz. He also has a sack, two fumble recoveries and an interception, which he returned for 33 yards.

It's just not Cote's nature to simply be silent on or off the field.

"I'm a big motivator," said Cote, also a member of the wrestling team. "I'll lose it on occasion, but never on my team. I want everyone to go out and play their best. If we are losing, I'll tell them we shouldn't be losing to this team."

And it's not only his teammates that notice.

"I'd say the last six straight games I've had the refs come over," said Sarkis, "and they say, 'Tell No. 33 (Cote) to calm down a little.' He's a free spirit. Talking just makes him more confident. I don't know what it is."

The Greater Lawrence defense seems to feed off his energy. The Reggies have allowed only 14.9 points per game this season, nearly a touchdown (6.2 ppg) better that last year's average.

But when Cote's intensity gets the better of him, his teammates are there to calm him down.

"Sometimes we laugh because he gets all hyper," said Plaza. "We have to tell him, 'Don't worry, we've got this game.'" His talks are not always serious. He also works to keep the feeling around the team light.

"There'll be a tense moment when we're correcting everyone," said Sarkis. "And he'll make some comment and everyone will crack up. That helps them to refocus."

In contrast to his intense play at linebacker, Cote is also the Greater Lawrence punter, and he has served as placekicker for the last two games. He has kicked four extra-points this season, including one against Georgetown in Week 2.

And today, any time he is on the field will be a plus. "This is a dream come true," he said. "To be playing where the Patriots play is amazing. This is as big as it gets. "We've been together since our freshman year and we have wanted to play (there). It took a big effort and we deserve it."

0 Story Comments