Schools
Q&A with Absegami's Big Blocker Mike Ottaviano
The Absegami High School offensive lineman discusses football, piano and future plans.
’s Mike Ottaviano, a three-year starter for the Braves' football team, is a leader and a standout offensive lineman.
Galloway Patch spoke to the 6-foot-1, 260-pound tackle a few days before the Braves take on district rival Oakcrest on Thanksgiving morning.
Ottaviano discussed what he loves about being a lineman, his new appreciation for the piano, and his future plans.
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Galloway Patch: When did you start playing football?
Mike Ottaviano: I have been playing football since the sixth grade.
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Patch: What do you like better: pass blocking or run blocking?
Ottaviano: That’s tough. I love run blocking. Pass blocking is a lot easier than run blocking, but I love run blocking.
Patch: Do you like playing defense?
Ottaviano: Defense is fun. It’s a lot different than playing offensive line. There are a lot less rules and you go on animal instincts. But offensive line is where my heart is at.
Patch: What's the best part of playing on the offensive line?
Ottaviano: I like when we score. I like when I’m going against a guy and both of us know I’m going to win. That’s the best part and there is nothing they can do to stop it.
Patch: Any particular reason why you wear No. 75?
Ottaviano: No real reason. During my freshman year when I sat varsity on the bench I had that number and stuck with it ever since.
Patch: What is your favorite football memory?
Ottaviano: Definitely just to be able to go out every Friday and play football. A lot of people take that for granted. So many kids are not able to play and I’m humbled by the fact that I can go and play football. I love playing football and playing with my best friends I have grown up with.
Patch: Do you have any superstitions?
Ottaviano: Not any big one. I wear the same Under Armour every game whether it’s 100-degrees or 20-degrees. I also wear the same undershirt that says "Beast" on it no matter what.
Patch: What do you do for fun away from football?
Ottaviano: I just like hanging out with friends like everybody else. I also love hanging out with my grandma (Loretta).
Patch: What is your favorite class?
Ottaviano: My piano lab. I like playing the piano a lot. It's fun and I like it.
Patch: When did you start playing piano?
Ottaviano: I started this year. I selected it as an elective and I like it a lot.
Patch: Are you good?
Ottaviano: I’m not bad. I’m not Beethoven, but I’m not horrible at it.
Patch: What are your plans for next year?
Ottaviano: My dream is to play college football somewhere. I have some schools recruiting me. I will go anywhere to play football.
Patch: What has football taught you?
Ottaviano: Playing football has taught me discipline. If I work hard I can achieve basically anything. I have achieved so much in my high school career because of football. It also gives you a sense of family. I love every single person on the team. It teaches you to be unselfish. I will do something not for me but for the other person I’m with.
Patch: If you could write a script for Thursday, how would it end?
Ottaviano: If I can write a script for Thursday, we would win by a lot and every single senior will be able to play. That would be a perfect script to end my high school career on a happy note.