2024 Season-Ending Interview With Anthony Nespeca From Boardman High School
Anthony Nespeca
Boardman High School
Fb/Lb
2026
5, 10, 210
2-year varsity linebacker
When we last spoke, you had said some of your goals for the 2024 season were setting the record for the most tackles in a season, getting some college looks, and getting "Big Dog of the Week." Would you let everyone know which of these goals you accomplished?
Well, I fell short of these goals this year, but next year I will have a fresh start to complete these goals. My goal this year is to run the ball and make as many plays as possible to benefit my team and lead us to the playoffs.
When we spoke last, you also said you wanted to work on shedding off blocks so that your game would be stronger. Were you able to accomplish this?
Yes, I was able to get better with them throughout the season with taking on blocks with the right shoulder, but there are a lot of improvements to come with this year.
What was the high mark of the 2024 season?
If I had to pick between having the best record and making the playoffs since 2018, I would probably have to pick the Kenston game. The year prior to that we lost 50-13, and everyone thought we were coming into that game again and getting blown out. The whole atmosphere of practice prior to this game was completely different from last year. Everyone was very confident and working as hard as possible. We came into the game very strong even though everyone had their bets on Kenston winning. The first play of the game on kickoff, I come flying down, making the first tackle of the season. It was a feeling I can describe but definitely a great one. We go on to play amazing defense, and I had a very good game. The score in the 4th quarter was 18-12 Kenston, and we end up scoring and getting the extra point to make it a one-point game. With 40 seconds left in the game, Kenston had the ball around the 50-yard line and had one shot to score. It was 4th down with 35 seconds left in the game. I have never heard the stadium so loud; the stands were shaking. It was a very nerve-racking situation; for sure, I couldn’t even hear him snap the ball; it was so loud. So on 4th down the quarterback threw an incomplete pass, and that was the game. I come running off the field; everyone’s screaming, and I’m hugging everyone. It was definitely one of the best feelings ever. Everyone thought we were coming into the game and not even be close. This game definitely set the tone for the season and showed us that defense is very dominant while giving us a lot of hope and confidence. I had my best game of the season and played very well. That was my high mark of the season.
What was the low point of the 2024 season?
The low point was definitely a game against Lake. After a big win against Kentson, we became too confident and came into the game with no energy. It was about 100 degrees on the field, and we were all in our heads. I am going to be honest: I did not play that well at the game, and I still regret it; it’s in the back of my mind all the time.
Boardman had a nice turnaround in 2024. Going from 1-9 in 2023 to 6-5, including making the playoffs. What do you feel led to the big improvement?
I feel like what led to the big improvement is us knowing that we were 1-9 the year prior and no one wants to be 1-9. That was the biggest motivation, and it was in my mind every practice. We had a lot more energy and team bonding, and we all grew together. The coach reminded us every day, and it made us push harder than ever before.
Who was the best player that you faced during the 2024 season, along with the team he played for?
The running back from Lake Number 32 was the best player we faced from the 2024 season, in my opinion. He was a 3- or 4-star linebacker committed to Ohio. He was a good athlete, but we could have done a lot better against him than we did. He was the running back and linebacker.
Which win meant the most during 2024? Explain
The win that meant most to me during the 2024 season was probably the win against Canfield. We scored the very play with a kickoff return, and that set the whole tone for the game. I played with a torn groin, and it was all black and blue and hard to even walk, but I played through it and made plays. We ended up beating them 42-17. This meant a lot because last year they beat us 45-7, and also if they beat us, they would have gone to the playoffs, so we shut them out because that was their last game of the year.
Which loss stung the most? Explain
The loss against Warren definitely did not feel good. We should have definitely beaten them, and we fell short 19-14. I really wanted us to beat them because 2 years ago they took us out with a very close game for us to go to the playoffs.
During the season, which road stadium had the best atmosphere?
I would say Austintown because the stadium lights make the field and stadium look dark, and it has a cool atmosphere.
What did you learn about yourself during the season that you can use to be a better player and teammate in 2025?
I learned that getting in my head is the worst thing for football. The game of football is 90% mental, and it definitely plays a big role in how you perform. For the upcoming season I need to be more confident in myself and be a huge leader on my team to lead us to success.
What makes you a good teammate?
What makes me a good teammate is not always making the tackle or big play; it is doing my correct assignment for the defense to develop and close gaps and holes and create havoc so as a team we stop the offense.
What surprised you the most about the 2024 season?
What surprised me is how much bigger I have gotten and what a big role that played. I could take way harder hits and create more closed gaps and make big plays and hit way harder than the year prior.
What is your favorite home-cooked meal?
Definitely chicken and rice with yum yum sauce. I cook that a lot, and it’s very good and high in protein.
Who are your role models?
My role models are definitely Ashton Jeanty and Ray Lewis. Ashton Jeanty shows how hard you have to work to become who you want, and he’s not a very tall football player, but it shows size doesn’t matter; all that matters is how you use it. Ray Lewis taught me how hard and fast you need to be in order to be successful. He had a rough childhood and showed it didn’t matter and overcame that to be great. My goal is to play fullback, and I look up to Ashton Jeanty and how well he plays.
Which sport do you wish you could play but don't have the skills to?
I wish I could play basketball if I had the skills to do so. I just never was good at it my whole life, so I decided to do wrestling.
On Facebook @ Burnworth David
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