HOLYOKE — For years, Ally Dumoulin and her younger brother Matty were always just missing each other on the football field.
Growing up in a football family – both their father and older brothers both played – it was seemingly a given that both of them would have the same love of the game. Ally remembers starting football when she was in the third grade, and Matty has been playing since he was in the fourth grade.
“We all like to play football in the backyard and stuff. So I was like, ‘I want to try it,’” Ally said. “My mom, she didn’t really know how she felt about it, but then she was like, ‘Give it a try. See if you like it.’ So I gave it a try, and I loved it. Then (Matty) started doing it and it’s just like our thing now.”
Growing up outside of Boston, the two started playing on a Wilmington Pop Warner team, but they were never on the same squad. After moving to Western Mass., they continued to play youth football in Holyoke, but their age difference meant they were still never on the same team together. Now, finally, in their final year together at Holyoke High School, the two have finally had the chance to step on the field together wearing purple and white.
They both play different positions on the Purple Knights’ football team – senior Ally is a running back and linebacker, while sophomore Matty is a receiver and a defensive back – so the two of them don’t often overlap with each other during practices. But even if they don’t cross paths there, they are best friends off the field — though that’s something Ally says hasn’t always been the case.
“We’ve always been those siblings that would always clash when we were younger. We’ve just kind of grown out of the little fighting and all that. We’ve both grown up a lot,” Ally said. “I feel like it’s good that we’re hanging out, and he’s like my best friend even though he’s my little brother.”
Some of that clashing still comes out in playful teasing – Ally jumped at the chance to talk about how her brother got ‘folded’ in practice on Wednesday, drawing a small smile out of Matty. Despite the friendly fire, he bit his tongue and said he’d be the ‘bigger person’ and not fire back. The two spend a lot of time together outside of the football field, hanging out with the same group of friends, riding to school together, playing video games and just hanging out.
“She’s chill, easy to talk to,” Matty said on his relationship with his sister.
Getting a chance to play football with her younger brother was something that almost didn’t happen for Ally, who has battled injuries throughout her athletic career. At one point in time, she was going to physical therapy appointments four times a week while also working through a concussion and a knee injury simultaneously. The concussions took a serious toll on her, impacting her memory and her school work as she worked to recover. It’s a relief for the senior to feel back to normal and healthy again.
“It’s tough. I’ve had multiple concussions and it’s always messed with me, but I feel better than I have before,” Ally said. “I’ve had messed up knees, I was on crutches for a long time. Now I’m back, and it feels really good. It feels so good to hit again. So I’m doing a lot better but I’m still making progress.”
Not only is she healthy again, but she’s playing for new Holyoke head coach David Guzman this season, something she’s thrilled about. Though this is Guzman’s first year as the head coach for the Purple Knights, Ally had nothing but praise for him.
“In my entire life playing football, he’s the best coach that I’ve had. And just because I’m a girl, he doesn’t act like he can’t play me. He’s a great guy,” Ally said. “He tells me if I’m doing something wrong, or tells me how to fix things, and I just need that extra push. And he gives me that and I can’t be more appreciative for anybody. He’s the best coach.”
And of course, Ally also has her brother Matty around to tease and joke with whenever they get a chance. Though it took a while to come around, the two are glad that they got the opportunity to suit up for the same team this season.
Holyoke, which sits at 1-2 on the season, begins its AA Conference slate on Friday with a home game at the Roberts Complex against Westfield (7 p.m.).