Belsky looks to do whatever he can for Windham football

[Editor’s Note: This story also appears in the 2017 Football Prospectus.]

Bill Raycraft doesn't hesitate long when asked what he thinks Royce Belsky could improve on going into his senior season with the Windham High School football team.

A player described the head coach as humble and willing to do whatever his team needs of him, Belsky is expected to be an important part of the Jaguars on both sides of the ball.

But when he makes a big play, Raycraft would just like to know his senior running back and linebacker is having a little fun.

"I’d like him to show excitement, because then everybody else gets excited, too," Raycraft said. "One thing is, he’s super humble. He’ll make an incredible block, and there’s no emotion. In his mind, he’s doing his job."

Windham is expecting Belsky to have plenty of opportunities to celebrate this season, after spending his first two years on the varsity roster stuck behind older players on the depth chart.

"For Royce, it was tough because physically, he could have been on the field for every down, but he played behind Victor Pizzotti at fullback and middle linebacker," Raycraft said. "He was vying for when Victor needed a blow, but when he did, he’d score a touchdown or make a big hit."

And if he wasn't filling in for Pizzotti, Belsky was giving his older brother, Parker, a rest last season. It was a tough task, but having watched Parker go through it helped Royce believe he'd get his chance eventually.

"I saw his struggle throughout sophomore and junior year, where he was fighting for that starting spot," the younger Belsky said. "I saw that’s how hard you have to work to get that spot. I went through that and I saw the incredible season he had last year. That definitely motivates me."

The way the season ended for the Jaguars has also been a source of motivation. Windham was undefeated going into the Division II semifinals last year, but was upset at home by Plymouth, keeping the Jaguars from reaching the title game for the third year in a row.

"I took it really, really hard," Belsky said. "I didn’t do a winter sport so I lifted continuously. I said we don’t want to get outworked. Over the summer, we knew other teams were doing all that stuff. I tried to keep that mentality."

At times, Belsky was even doubling up on his preparation for this season.

"We have some guys who do workouts outside the school, but we ask those guys to come lift the team as well, and he did that," Raycraft said. "He’d go get his workout in and then he’d come lift with the guys. He’s that type of kid."

Belsky started playing football in sixth grade, not long after his older brother did, and at first played tight end. Wanting to be like Parker, he eventually switched positions to running back and linebacker, and even competed with his brother for a starting spot as a sophomore.

"I fought with Parker, his junior year, my sophomore year, we were kind of fighting for that spot and he beat me out," he said. "It’s fun to score on offense, but I like defense because it’s the unsung heroes."

While getting Windham back to the championship game is a goal for Belsky this season, he also wants to play well enough to have a shot at playing at the next level. That's something Raycraft is confident he can do.

"He’s got the physical build to play," the coach said. "His speed is great. His grades, he could get into any school. We had a number of colleges come through in the late spring, and he was one of a number of guys who, I would have his transcript ready, with his 40(-yard dash) time and his bench. I think once they see him on the field, because right now he doesn’t necessarily have the film to show, (the interest) will get bigger and bigger."