Each week during the school year the Sarasota Herald-Tribune selects boys athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports htincoming@gmail.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. each Monday on heraldtribune.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. To get to know our winners better, the Herald-Tribune will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for Aug. 25-30 was Palmetto High quarterback Matthew Hennesey. Hennesey won the poll with 35.9% of the vote.
When and why did you start playing football?
Hennesey: I started playing when I was 7 because of my uncle’s love of the game. My uncle inspired me to play because I played baseball, so he knew I could throw a ball pretty well so he had me play QB for him.
What is your favorite football memory of all time?
Hennesey: My favorite football memory was my first varsity start for Palmetto in the spring game.
What has been your most humbling moment in football?
Hennesey: The most humbling moment in football for me was putting in work and not seeing good results. Although it is a process and the results come at different times it was humbling. I didn’t see results because I was moving down in the depth chart and seeing people improve, so I just trusted the process moved up the depth chart and earned my spot.
What makes you confident in this year’s Palmetto football team?
Hennesey: I’m confident in this year’s team because we have talent everywhere on the field and move around on the field like a family.
Who is your favorite player and why?
Hennesey: My favorite player is Baker Mayfield because he plays my position on my favorite team and has the most heart on the field at all times.
Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week Q&As are published in the Sunday sports section.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week for Aug. 25-30: Palmetto football player Matthew Hennesey
Reporting by Vinnie Portell, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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