Standing in the middle of his 25 teammates, the towering Daniel
Modic is easy to find – just look for where the noise is coming
from.
Modic is the vocal leader of the 2011 Anzar High football team –
the first team in the school’s history.
Standing in the middle of his 25 teammates, the towering Daniel Modic is easy to find – just look for where the noise is coming from.
Modic is the vocal leader of the 2011 Anzar High football team – the first team in the school’s history.
And Modic, who plays center, takes that leadership responsibility with great care.
“It’s special to get this opportunity,” he said.
Modic, who was voted the team’s captain during summer workouts, is the most talkative player on the practice field. Whether it’s taunting his teammates or showing the younger players the correct alignment, Modic is always front and center.
“You can see it during practice, he is helping the person across from him,” head coach Luis Espinoza said. “He does a good job representing Anzar High and this team. He is the most important player on this team.”
Part of the reason why the team looks up to Modic is because he is one of the few players with football experience. Modic played for the freshmen football team at San Benito High three years ago.
Now as a senior, Modic plays an important part in making Anzar Football a reality. Modic is not only the vocal leader on the field but also in the community.
“He spoke in front of our board and he goes out into the town and talks about us,” Espinoza said. “I didn’t ask him to do that – he just does it.”
Espinoza always had high hopes for the senior. Last year, when it looked as if the team would be established, Espinoza approached Modic and asked him to join.
“He wanted to know if I was going to play,” Modic said. “I said yes.”
Espinoza told him then that he expected Modic to be a leader.
“I told him I’m going to expect a lot,” Espinoza said. “So far, he has done that.”
And it’s come easy for Modic because he is a “natural born leader,” Espinoza said.
“He has leadership skills,” Espinoza said. “The kid is respected.”
On the field, if Modic says something his teammates listen as if he is a coach.
“They just respond to him,” Espinoza said.
And Modic couldn’t be happier in that role.
“As a leader I have to be there for my teammates,” he said. “I don’t have much experience but I know when coach makes us run or do bear crawls he is doing it so we get better. It’s my job to make sure we do them together as a team.”
And during practice, Modic does just that.
Modic will lead the team through “Hawks” chants during sprints and breaks between drill. He is the centerpiece of the team and an extension of Espinoza.
“It’s important that I am,” Modic said. “As coach would say ‘the game is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical’ – I’m supposed to help.”
Modic, who lives in Tres Pinos, is just happy to be playing football again – especially as a senior.
“It is exactly the experience that I wanted,” he said. “I’m glad I get to experience it.”
The only thing that leaves Modic speechless is the idea of the first home game on Sept. 9.
“I’m nervous, but it’s going to be quite the experience,” he said.
And whatever his feelings will end up being, his team will follow in his footsteps.
Fundraiser
To help pay for the upcoming season the Anzar High football team is holding a tri-tip dinner on Sept. 2 at Anzar High School. All proceeds benefit the high school and the youth-football San Benito Seahawks program. Dinner includes tri-tip, baked beans, green salad and garlic bread. Tickets are $15.
To purchase tickets contact the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District at 831.623.4500.
