As the captain of the Woodland Hawks football team, Nico Scampolino has seen it all—from years of personal struggle to the peak of his team’s potential. Before he was the leader of the Hawks, Scampolino was just another young kid playing Junior Hawks football. It was during those early years that he made his most memorable memory. 

“We used to lose every game,” Scampolino recalled. “But in our last game, my coach said, ‘If we win today, I’ll slide in that mud puddle at midfield.’ We won only one game—by just one point—and he slid right into that puddle. I’ll never forget that feeling, that first win.” 

Now, as a senior, his sights are set on one thing: winning a state championship.

“We’ve been through so much to get here. I want to finish strong and prove that we deserve it,” said Scampolino.

He knows the road to glory isn’t always straight. The greatest challenge for him and the Hawks will come when difficulty strikes.

“Adversity is what’s going to test us,” said Scampolino. “It’s easy when everything’s going well, but when things get tough, that’s when it’s really about who we are as a team.”

For anyone watching Scampolino on the field, it’s clear he thrives under pressure. Whether he’s at running back, fighting for those crucial yards, or leading the defense as a linebacker, Scampolino has always been ready to step up. It’s that resilience in the face of challenge that has made him not only one of the Hawks’ most trusted leaders.

“A good leader leads by example,” said Scampolino. “It’s not just about what you do in the spotlight; it’s about holding yourself accountable, showing up every day, and being someone your teammates can trust, no matter what.”

As for the state championship:

“We’re bringing that Class S sign home,” Scampolino said, grinning. “It’s our time.”