Aedan McDermott is a senior captain on the Guilford football team who also plays for the boys’ lacrosse squad at the high school. Aedan has played football and lacrosse for several years and seen his fair share of success in both sports. With his senior season drawing closer, Aedan is hoping to finish his high school career on a high note.

“I’ve been playing lacrosse since the 2nd grade. My sister actually plays lacrosse, so she was the biggest motivation for me to go into it,” Aedan says. “I’ve also been playing football since I was in 3rd grade, where I played up on the 4th-grade team. Prior to that, I played flag football for two years. When I was younger, my parents had me try the majority of sports, and I fell in love with football and lacrosse.”

Aedan suits up as the quarterback for Guilford football squad and plays on the attack in lacrosse. In his first season under center, Aedan passed for 1,231 with eight touchdowns and threw only two interceptions last fall.

Head Coach Anthony Salvati refers to Aedan as the heart and soul of his team. Salvati knows that he can always count on his QB to get the job done.

“McDermott is our rock, our leader,” says Salvati. “He is the guy that gets everyone on the same page, coordinates team meetings and training. He knows what everyone’s assignments are around him and lifts them up to reach their potential. It’s like having another coach out there.”

While Aedan enjoys both of his sports, he’s found different ways of appreciating each of them. Above all, Aedan says that playing lacrosse and football has helped him form some of his strongest friendships.

“My favorite aspect of lacrosse is how family oriented it is. I’ve grown up with the majority of the team and are around them every day, either if we are playing lacrosse or just hanging out,” Aedan says. “Lacrosse and football have created some of the best relationships I’ve had and given me a family of friends that will last a lifetime.”

Aedan has experienced many memorable moments on each of his respective fields. Aedan will always remember when he scored five goals against Foran in his first start for the lacrosse team as a sophomore last spring, along with Guilford’s big win over Hand. In terms of football, Aedan says that Guilford’s victory versus Branford was the highlight of the 2019 campaign.

“Beating our rival Hand was a great moment for the team,” says Aedan. “From this past football season, my favorite memory was when we came back in the fourth quarter against our rival Branford to win, more specifically when my friend Charles Walcott scored off a 60-yard run.”

Aedan values his relationships with his coaches in both sports. Aedan has learned a lot from Salvati and boys’ lacrosse coach Brian White, and says that they’ve helped him maximize his abilities as an athlete.

“Coach White is a great coach and leader. We call him dad, because he treats us like family. Even though he is hard on me at times, I know it’s because he believes in me and just wants me to improve and reach my full potential,” Aedan says. “I also have a tremendous relationship with Coach Salvati. He is a very dedicated and passionate about football and cares about us as people. He has become a great role model for me, and I strive to be like that in my own life, so he’s been a great example for me.”

Aedan is constantly working hard with his teams and on his own in order to improve his skills. Aedan gives just as much effort in the offseason as he does during the season.

“I go to the [Oilers’ Lacrosse] winter camp, as well as going to captains’ practice throughout the year. When I’m not practicing with my team, I’m putting work in on the field or at my house, where I have a net and rebounder,” says Aedan. “We live very close to the high school, so having access to a field that is a minute away from my house is a great help. I also train at Break Out Athlete in North Branford. Training there has given me the opportunity to train with high-level high school and college athletes.”

As he gears up for his senior year, Aedan feels honored to be leading the Guilford football team as a captain. Aedan is also hoping that he gets to wear the captain’s hat for the lacrosse team in the spring.

“One of the most meaningful accomplishments I have is that I was named captain of the football team. A lot of time has been put into football, so it means a lot that I was awarded captain,” Aedan says. “I’m also working really hard to become the captain of the lacrosse team for my senior year.”