DIMITRIJEVS, SHIRILLA AND TUPA ARE TABBED
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Monday night, August 4, 2014
BRECKSVILLE – A senior and a pair of juniors, all veterans with the program, were named as Bees captains for the 2014 season. Joe Dimitrijevs, Danny Shirilla and Tyler Tupa will lead the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School varsity football team this fall.
Dimitrijevs is a three-year varsity player. The tight end/linebacker checks in at 5-10, 170. Shirilla, who was a starter in the defensive backfield a year ago and played quarterback in a mop-up role, is listed at 6-0, 145. Shirilla will play quarterback this season. And Tupa (6-1, 195) is a talented wide receiver and defensive back who already has offers from Bowling Green and Kent State in his back pocket.
Dimitrijevs made 32 tackles in 2013, including four for a loss. Joe-D also recovered a fumble. He will be Brecksville’s third leading returning tackler.
Shirilla is the Bees second leading returning hit man. He had 37 total stops last year and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. In limited duty behind center Shirilla was 3 for 5 for 16 yards. Shirilla also returned punts (10.6 avg.) and kick offs (32.8).
Tupa was Brecksville’s leading receiver. He hauled in 56 passes for 864 yards and scored ten touchdowns. “Roo” returned four punts for 27 yards. He also punted five times for a 38.6 yard average. On defense Tupa had 25 total tackles and picked off a pass.
“I am eager to see how each of our three captains grow into their role on the team. We have a couple of younger kids as well as a veteran leader. Their roles are being defined each day, each practice and each meeting,” said Bees head coach Jason Black. “What I like most about these guys is they each have a different personality. Joe is a little more quiet but his work ethic and willingness to do anything we ask is unquestioned. Danny is more vocal and that is not just the case because he is a quarterback on our team. He is equally as vocal in the defensive huddle. Tyler has the confidence and swagger. Everyone looks up to Tyler.”
More Than A Few Good Men
Black has definitely not limited leadership roles to just these three players. “I think it is important to note that just because we named three captains doesn’t mean there will not be any more leaders on our team,” Black said. “A good team has multiple leaders who are not named captain. We need more than three leaders in order to be successful this year.”
A New Twist
As the season evolves leadership will be recognized. “We will also have a captain of the week for the 2014 season. This will reward a player for their hard work and leadership each week of the season. The coaching staff will vote and the captain of the week will be announced each Monday during our weekly team meeting,” said Black.
Bee Hive Buzz:
The annual fall sports “Meet The Bees” preseason event took place yesterday evening in the high school auditorium. BBHHS Athletic Director Dan Kalinsky served as master of ceremonies. “This will be our last year in the Southwestern Conference as we join the Suburban League next year. It will be nice to go out with a bang and win as many conference championships as possible,” Kalinsky told the crowd.
Principal Joe Mueller spoke and saluted the senior class of 2015. He also welcomed the incoming freshmen class of 2018.
The Bees Athletic Boosters annual golf outing is Friday, September 5th. Make a day of it by golfing during the day and then head over to North Royalton to watch the annual tussle for The Golden Shoe. The boosters meet the first Monday evening of each month in the high school media room/library.
Name Game:
The high school nickname of the day is the: Beverly Hills (CA) Normans.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
Follow the Lady Bees volleyball team on-line at: beesvolleyball.com.
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