Alex Subocz taught Dan McCarthy how to be a football player. Both played offensive tackle for Northampton High School in 2011. Subocz was a senior captain, leading the way on the practice field and in the weight room. McCarthy showed promise as a sophomore.
“He was a young, promising lineman. As a senior lineman, I wanted to teach him anything and everything I knew,” Subocz said. “I saw a ton of potential in him. … It was just great having a younger player who wanted to be so good, a sponge basically. He was never shy to ask questions.”
The Blue Devils ended the season on an eight-game losing streak and finished 2-9. Not the way Subocz wanted his high school career to end, but his class helped lay foundations for Northampton and McCarthy to win six games in each of the next two seasons.
“The seniors, like himself, led us and pushed us to stick with football and taught us what they know. I owe Subey a lot credit,” McCarthy said. “They got us ready to help us lead when we were seniors. He taught me a lot of fundamental stuff when it comes to the line. He taught us the work ethic aspect of football.”
They’ll share a football field again Friday when McCarthy and Belchertown visit Subocz and Smith Vocational at 6 p.m. in the season opener. It’s Subocz’s third year leading his alma mater (Smith Vocational co-oped with Northampton for football back when Subocz was in school), while McCarthy is in his second season with the Orioles. They’re meeting for the second consecutive season. McCarthy won the first matchup last season to pick up his first career win.
“Ideally I’d love for us to win (Friday),” Subocz said. “After that I’m hoping Belchertown goes on and wins every other game they play. I have no reason to root against a former teammate and someone I talk about coaching so much with.”
They drifted apart after Subocz graduated and played at Bates College, but football brought them back together. McCarthy started coaching in Northampton almost right after he graduated. He didn’t realize Subocz was at Smith Vocational until he reached out asking for film ahead of last season.
They met at the Hangar to talk about offense and reconnected through football, staying in touch since. Both are building programs at schools that haven’t tasted football success historically. They discuss fundraising and recruiting athletes into the program.
McCarthy regularly inverts their high school relationship and teaches Subocz about the finer points of football coaching since he’s done it longer. He introduced Subocz to the Glazier Clinics and all of the information they contain.
“A lot of the little things that actually are big things that I didn’t know abut,” Subocz said. “He’s helped open the world up to me.”
Their discussions have shied away from schemes as Friday approaches, but they did still talk this week. Both share similar philosophies about leadership.
“We’re on the same page of living by what we preach and leading by example,” McCarthy said. “I think some coaches have a lot of empty words for their players, and we’re leading through action.”
They’ll be friends again once the final whistle blows. But for 60 minutes once the ball is kicked off?
“Subey’s my friend, this week he’s my enemy,” McCarthy said. “I’m going to treat it like any other game. I know he’s got those boys fired up. I hope he isn’t taking us lightly.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.