Alliegro rushes ahead
Sophomore Tim Alliegro gets ready for a handoff. It’s a Friday night in Ridge; the lights are bright. Both sides are chanting, trying to give their team the edge. WHS students scream, encouraging their team to stay undefeated. The team depends on its running back to rise to the occasion.
In only his first season on the varsity team, Alliegro has already found massive success. He has 565 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, and has been a large part of the team’s 5-0 start. Head Coach Jim DeSarno describes Alliegro as a multidimensional running back with speed, strength and power. “He’s got a lot of skills that usually you don’t see in sophomores,” DeSarno said.
Alliegro’s hard work is ingrained in his personality. “I just always try hard and want to win in everything I do,” he said.
According to senior co-captain Shea Elliott, this work ethic has earned him the nickname “Winter Soldier” on the team. “He has stepped up to an important role at running back,” Elliott said.
Alliegro is one of two starting sophomores on this year’s varsity football team, which is rather uncommon for a sport dominated by upperclassmen. This is his first year on the WHS team as he originally chose to attend Don Bosco Preparatory School, located in Ramsey. He thought it would be a better opportunity for him, but decided to transfer to WHS so that he could play with his friends and his brother, senior Fran Alliegro, during Fran’s last year on the team.
“I think he’s pretty good,” Fran Alliegro said. “He’s only a sophomore so he’s going to just keep getting better and better.”
Tim Alliegro’s work ethic has brought him this success. DeSarno recalls seeing Alliegro running the track as a middle-schooler, just to make himself better. “He’s a very hard worker, on and off the field,” DeSarno said.
Alliegro is still growing as a player, and he continues to put in the work. “His will to win pushes him to keep getting better as a player,” said senior co-captain Jack McCauley. “I’ve never seen anyone work harder than Tim. Period. He never takes a day off.”
Alliegro’s favorite part about the WHS team is playing with the friends he grew up with, and with the seniors on the team. “Everybody bonds together well, and that’s why we play so well together, and that’s what makes us successful,” he said.
Football takes up much of his time, but Alliegro’s passion for the game is undeniable. “Playing with him made me realize how much he is dedicated and how much he just loves every aspect of the game of football,” Fran Alliegro said.
Big things are likely in store for Tim Alliegro, seeing that he is only a sophomore, and he will continue to play hard for WHS while looking ahead to his dream of playing football in college.
As a starter for the two-time-defending state champs, Alliegro is ready to fight and make it three in a row. Said Elliott: “He brings the intensity every practice and makes those around him better.”
Alliegro’s hard work is ingrained in his personality. “I just always try hard and want to win in everything I do,” he said.
According to senior co-captain Shea Elliott, this work ethic has earned him the nickname “Winter Soldier” on the team. “He has stepped up to an important role at running back,” Elliott said.
Alliegro is one of two starting sophomores on this year’s varsity football team, which is rather uncommon for a sport dominated by upperclassmen. This is his first year on the WHS team as he originally chose to attend Don Bosco Preparatory School, located in Ramsey. He thought it would be a better opportunity for him, but decided to transfer to WHS so that he could play with his friends and his brother, senior Fran Alliegro, during Fran’s last year on the team.
“I think he’s pretty good,” Fran Alliegro said. “He’s only a sophomore so he’s going to just keep getting better and better.”
Tim Alliegro’s work ethic has brought him this success. DeSarno recalls seeing Alliegro running the track as a middle-schooler, just to make himself better. “He’s a very hard worker, on and off the field,” DeSarno said.
Alliegro is still growing as a player, and he continues to put in the work. “His will to win pushes him to keep getting better as a player,” said senior co-captain Jack McCauley. “I’ve never seen anyone work harder than Tim. Period. He never takes a day off.”
Alliegro’s favorite part about the WHS team is playing with the friends he grew up with, and with the seniors on the team. “Everybody bonds together well, and that’s why we play so well together, and that’s what makes us successful,” he said.
Football takes up much of his time, but Alliegro’s passion for the game is undeniable. “Playing with him made me realize how much he is dedicated and how much he just loves every aspect of the game of football,” Fran Alliegro said.
Big things are likely in store for Tim Alliegro, seeing that he is only a sophomore, and he will continue to play hard for WHS while looking ahead to his dream of playing football in college.
As a starter for the two-time-defending state champs, Alliegro is ready to fight and make it three in a row. Said Elliott: “He brings the intensity every practice and makes those around him better.”
