Most of the high school football players with multiple schools interested in them have something in common. The players I have talked to while writing for northstarfootballnews.com approach selecting a school in a similar way. The players lucky enough to…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inMost of the high school football players with multiple schools interested in them have something in common. The players I have talked to while writing for northstarfootballnews.com approach selecting a school in a similar way. The players lucky enough to have multiple schools willing to offer them scholarships have a checklist in their heads when they are looking at what school they want to attend after high school. The luckiest players find a school that checks off all those boxes. A relationship between player and program who seem to check all boxes is between Northfield’s Mitchell Stanchina and the Michigan Tech Huskies.
Stanchina and the Raiders football team finished the regular season at 5-3 but then got on a run in the playoffs that almost ended in a state tournament appearance.
“Everyone on the team knew their role, and we made a good run in Sections,” Stanchina said. “Overall we had a great season.”
Stanchina’s role on the team was almost as important off the field as on the field.
“My role was to be a leader on and off the field,” Stanchina said. “In the weight room, pushing my teammates in practice and obviously contributing as much as I could during the games.”
His recruiting journey ramped up before his senior season.
“Last summer I went to camps at South Dakota, and North Dakota. I had some game visits at Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I took official visits to Minnesota-Duluth and Michigan Tech.”
The senior considered South Dakota, but quickly narrowed his selection to UMD and Michigan Tech.
“I met my recruiter from Tech at a football camp,” the three-sport Raiders’ athlete said. “He got to see me work out and we kept in contact during the season. I went to see a game up in the U-P and scheduled an official visit.”
When Stanchina went on the official visit to Tech – everything clicked.
“It was a great experience. I love the geography and layout of the campus. It is a great place if you like the outdoors and that is me. Their facilities are great, and academically it is phenomenal.”
“For my overnight,” Stanchina continued, “I liked the team, and it felt like home there.”
The Raiders’ senior was also impressed with the coaching staff.
“All the players respected their coaches and what they stood for. The coaches are not just football guys. They are motivated to help the players academically and off the field too. They seem like real guys. It didn’t seem like they eat, breath and slept football; they have other aspects of their life they care about.”
Stanchina played receiver and defensive back for Northfield. The Huskies’ coaches recruited Stanchina as a wide receiver – the position the senior prefers to play. Most of the other schools were looking at him on the defensive side of the ball.
“I think they liked my length and speed. I think they like that they could throw a jump ball to me on the sideline.”
Before heading to campus, Stanchina is finishing his high school athletic career playing a forward on the basketball team and will be roaming the outfield for the baseball team in the spring.
After checking high school graduation off his list, Stanchina’s focus will switch to getting involved in the Huskies’ football program. With that – he will have a whole new list of boxes to check.
