Athlete of the week is Sachem North's Scanna

Jesse Scanna

Sachem North football, linebacker

The Lindenhurst football team didn't know what hit them in its 35-14 loss to Sachem North last week. We're here to tell you what it was: senior linebacker/running back Jesse Scanna. He loves to play physical and he will do it at any opportunity.

Scanna had 11 tackles, including three for a loss, and ran for three touchdowns during the win, earning the Sachem North senior Newsday's Athlete of the Week Honors.

Scanna plays on both sides of the ball but prefers defense because of the physicality that is involved with being a linebacker. "I like to hit and make tackles," he said. Of the victory, Scanna said, "We came out a little weak, we got a lot of penalties early, but we picked it up as the game went on."

Scanna's teammates pick up on his leadership. Sachem North coach Dave Falco speaks glowingly of Scanna and the example he sets for the team. "Jesse is our team leader, both on and off the field." Falco said. "He plays physical and allows everyone else to follow suit."

That physical play is exactly what has made him such a vital component to Lindenhurst and Falco. Scanna suffered a minor injury earlier in the season and was kept out of two scrimmages. The coach noticed a striking difference in his team with Scanna on the sideline.

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"When Jesse plays well," Falco said, "the other guys react."

Scanna also plays lacrosse, but the majority of his non-football playing time is devoted to keeping himself in shape for football season. Long Island is one of the lacrosse capitals of the country, but when asked which sport he prefers, he quickly responds, "Football." And what he likes best about it isn't the hitting: "I enjoy having a great time with my teammates," he said. "Playing the games. Being with my team is the best."

Off the field, Scanna said his favorite subject is math. He recently started thinking about his post-high school agenda and said, "I want to go to college and play football. I've been talking to a couple of colleges."

He should catch the eye of some college scouts, not only because of his relentlessness and physical play, but because of how smart he is on the field.

"He has a very high football IQ," Falco said. "He knows what the team needs emotionally and on the field. Jesse brings so much to the table.