Trumbetti Owns High Expectations
Andrew Trumbetti’s Northern Valley Regional High School squad started practicing earlier this month and the 2014 Notre Dame defensive line/linebacker commit was excited to get the pads on.
“It’s definitely awesome,” the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Demarest, N.J., said.
“Having captains’ practices with no pads on is definitely frustrating because everyone wants to get out there and hit. Now that we have our pads on, our attitudes have changed and it’s awesome.”
The real excitement will come on Sept. 12th, though, when the Norsemen open up the season against Bergenfield.
“Our team is going to be awesome,” Trumbetti said. “We’re returning a lot of guys and our defense is going to be awesome. We have a lot of guys on the defensive line. I’m playing linebacker this year. My coach just wanted to take advantage of my athleticism in space.”
After a 4-6 season in 2012, Northern Valley Regional’s goals are extremely high this year.
“We’re trying to win every game,” Trumbetti said. “That’s a goal every team should have, but I definitely feel like with the leadership and talent we have this year, we can accomplish that as long as everyone comes together.
“We just need everyone having the same mindset. You can’t have one person think that we can’t do it. Everyone has to have the same mindset and that’s really what we’re focusing on this year. We can win it all this year and if everyone is in it together, we’re going to win it, I promise anyone.”
Trumbetti is especially excited because of the bond he believes the team has, one that’s been forming for several years.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Last year, we really didn’t have that feeling. It’s awesome having everyone on the same page. Everyone, everyone thinks that we’re going to win it this year. I’m just so excited for it and so is everyone else.
“We’re all close. The people who have been there from the beginning are still here, the people I’ve been playing with for 10 years are still together.”
Trumbetti’s focus is firmly on his senior season, but he has managed to stay in contact with his future classmates at Notre Dame through group texting. He’s also become very close with fellow defensive line commit Jay Hayes.
“Jay’s my man,” Trumbetti laughed. “I can’t wait until me and him get up to camp.
“We’ve only met one time in person, but that’s all we really needed to become as close as we are. Jay is just an awesome guy with an awesome family. We have the same goals. I knew he was going to be one of my best friends there right away because what we want to do and the way we play is basically the same. I’m just really excited to get there with him.”
Trumbetti has stayed in touch with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco as well.
“I haven’t really called him too much, but when I need to, I text Coach if I have a question,” he said. “He messages me on Facebook. We stay in touch, but I wouldn’t say we talk every day.”
Trumbetti is looking forward to returning to South Bend for a game this fall, likely with Hayes.
“I want to get back there for the last home game. It all depends on if our team is in the playoffs. I definitely want to get back there for the BYU game.”
