Londonderry football can always count on Wilkinson

When Adam Wilkinson came out for preseason practices as a freshman with the Londonderry High School football team, he hadn't been around the sport for some time.

Now, the senior is a guy Lancers coach Jimmy Lauzon always wants to have on the field.

Both the player and the coach came to the Londonderry program at the same time, with Lauzon taking over as the head coach before the 2014 season, which was the start of Wilkinson's high school career.

Over that time, Lauzon has watched as Wilkinson has gone from a good freshman player to a starter at safety and receiver for the varsity.

"Every year is a progression year," Lauzon said. "He was good as a freshman, but as a sophomore he was one step away and a really good JV player. Last year, he stepped up in some big moments and this year, we have high hopes for him."

It's been a different experience for Wilkinson from his first go-round with football. He gave up the sport after starting at a young age, feeling like he wasn't that good at the game.

But as he began high school, Wilkinson was convinced by some of his friends to come out for the team.

"When I got to high school, I gave it another shot," he said. "I just loved playing with my friends. There’s never any tension on the team, we all like each other.

"I’m always looking forward to the season. We always talk about it. There are always so many great memories made and it’s so much fun."

Although Londonderry is coming off back-to-back seasons without a playoff berth, and with a younger lineup on the field, the Lancers feel confident going into the year, thanks to the leadership provided by seniors like Wilkinson.

"The biggest thing with Adam, that I would want other players to follow, is his consistency," Lauzon said. "He’s the same guy day in and day out. He’s the same guy in practice as he is in a game. We can depend on him. He runs every route to his full potential and he gives his best effort on every play. I know what I’m getting out of him."

During the offseason, that was a player who was in the weight room and participating in other team activities. On the field, it's a guy who knows his assignments on defense and is able to make tackles. On offense, it's knowing who to block and what routes to run.

"I like being on the field any way I can, but I like to play defense," Wilkinson said. "I like to get in on the action and make the big hits. Making tackles in the open field is definitely one of the hardest things to do. If I can improve on that, it’ll be better for the whole team."

Wilkinson also runs track and plays lacrosse at Londonderry, and he believes both sports help him when football season comes around. That's just another thing that Lauzon hopes rubs off on younger players.

"I think playing multiple sports, even if you want to focus on one, those other ones are going to help you," the coach said. "A lot of kids don’t get that. It’s a sad thing and I think it’s why a lot of numbers are dropping in sports."

Although he's been focused on his senior year of football, Wilkinson has given some thought to trying to play in college. Lauzon believes he'd be able to, if for no other reason than his dependability.

"I think he would be a solid player for a program who is looking for a guy who is going to be consistent everyday and get better throughout those four years," the coach said. "He has the ability to make those big plays. He doesn’t shrink in big moments and that’s what I love best about him.

"He’s a guy who I know I can throw into a game in a key moment. Is he a threat to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball? Probably not, but he’s a guy who I want out there."