It's been a busy summer for Alex Theodhosi.
The former Londonderry High running back has been training for his first year of college football at Brown University, as well as the famous Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game, which takes place next month.
Theodhosi took time from his summer job at Londonderry High School to talk about how he's preparing to play Division 1 college football, the spring track season, and the big game against the Vermont high school all-stars, where he'll be joined by Pinkerton's Josh Lane and Peter Mazzola, in this week's First and 10:
Are you looking forward to the Maple Sugar Bowl?
I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a fun experience, and it's also a great cause, so that's why I'm so eager to do it. I'm spending a week and a half playing football where I could be at the beach having fun. I think it'll pay off when we get there, and all the fans are screaming, and hopefully we can get the win too.
When did you find out you'd be playing in it?
I don't really remember. It was a while ago. I got something in the mail saying I'd been chosen and ever since then I've had my heart set on it. I'm really looking forward to it.
Do you know any of the guys you'll be playing with?
I know a couple of kids. Obviously Josh Lane and Peter Mazzola are guys I know, and Billy Ferriter from Nashua South as well. I know a couple other kids, but those are the big three I know that I've competed with. It'll be great having the on my side of the ball as opposed to against me for once. They're great athletes so you want them on your side.
Have you heard stories of what it's like from other people that have played in it?
Yeah, I have. They said it's a lot of hard work and it's the hardest week of the summer. I mean, you have triple sessions for more than a week. It's really going to be hard because you have to learn a whole offense in a week and a half. I know it's not going to be easy by any means but I'm looking forward to the challenge and I just want to get through it.
How did you think the spring track season went?
Track has always been second for me. I think I might have been the fastest on the (Londonderry) team this year, but I never really was the fastest in the state. I never outperformed anyone. What happens with me is I have a great start off the blocks, and that helps me in football, but when I hit the 30 or 40-meter mark, I start a little bit to crash and people catch me. The shortest race is 100 meters, and it is by far my best event, but even that wasn't great.
Are you all set to start college?
Oh yeah, I'm all set. I'm going to Brown on the 21st of August and then we get rolling and try to get another Ivy League championship. They won it a couple of years ago so obviously we want to do that again.
Do you think you're ready for a Division 1 college football season?
I'm just coming in and I don't know if they're going to redshirt me. The Shrine Bowl is going to prepare me a little for the next step. I'm going to show up and try to do my best, and try to represent New Hampshire in Div. 1-AA college football the best I can.
What do you think is going to be the biggest adjustment for you?
I think it's the speed of the game. It's so much faster in college. In high school I might be the fastest on the field and I could blow by everyone but I'm not going to be now. It's not like I'll be able to burn everyone like I did in high school. It will be a lot more difficult. I'm still fast, but I won't be that fast compared to everybody else anymore.
What have you been doing so far this summer to stay busy?
Brown has given me a packet of workouts and I do that pretty much every day. They have me running and I've just been following the program they've given me. It's not much thinking, you know? I just go on my way. Hopefully it will prepare me not only for college but also for the Maple Sugar Bowl.
Have you been following the Red Sox at all?
I've been following them but ever since they got swept by Tampa, I haven't watched it because I've been pretty busy. I've been doing so many other things. I work for the school and I've been training hard for the Maple Sugar Bowl and college. I hope we can win the Maple Sugar Bowl this year, New Hampshire has won the last seven years but it's getting closer. Last year we only won by a field goal at the end. I don't want that. I want to blow this one away. I want it easy so I don't have to stress out.
