Joey Chiappini plays defensive end and long snapper on the Minooka varsity football team. He has been playing football since he was in fifth grade. This interview with Nook News has been edited for clarity and length. 

Q: Why do you play defensive end and long snapper?

A: I play defensive end because I like to hit and make contact. The most contact is at defensive end so that’s why I play there. I play long snapper because that’s something I want to go to college for. I work hard to go to college as a long snapper, and it’s pretty fun as well.

Q: What are your expectations for this year?

A: I think we have a really good team this year. We’re looking pretty good this year and we can definitely go 9-0 and beat some pretty good teams that we haven’t beat in the past. This is definitely one of the more special teams that we’ve had in a long time.

Q: How is this year different than in years past?

A:I think we have something going as far as team chemistry. Everyone knows each other and we’ve been playing together all summer. 

Q: What challenges do you face this year?

A: We definitely face adversity. There’s going to be some calls that we don’t like and calls that go the other direction. They’re going to be some teams that are tougher than other teams. We have to face that and push through it together.

Q: What have you done to prepare for the upcoming season?

A: We put in a lot of hard work all summer. Every morning we were out there from 6:30-9:30 getting after it. Our team motto this week was our preparation is our separation. If your preparation is low, that’s going to show in the game. I think we’re more prepared than any other team in the state right now.

Q: Who do you look up to on the team and why?

A: I definitely look up to the team captains. They were voted upon by teammates. So our team captains know what’s right and know what to do at all times. If anyone has a question, that’s the guys they go to.

Q: What NFL team do you support and who is your favorite player?

A: I like the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m not a bandwagon, I’ve been a fan since second grade. My favorite player is Chris Jones. I like him and he gets a lot of sacks so he’s kind of my guy. I have his jersey hanging up in the closet.