New Hampshire Football Report

Yukica Profile: Joey Lupo

NOTE: The 2020 Joe Yukica New Hampshire Chapter of the National Football Foundation Scholar/Athlete banquet was cancelled this year because of COVID-19. Each Scholar/Athlete will be recognized with a commemorative program, a plaque and a personal profile that will appear in the program, on the New Hampshire Football Report, the Joe Yukica/New Hampshire Chapter web site (joeyukicafootballfoundation.org) and the Joe Yukica/New Hampshire Chapter Facebook page. This is one in a series of 39 profiles. Once published, each profile can be accessed by clicking on the athlete’s name at the bottom of the page.

JOEY LUPO
Bishop Guertin High School

Joey Lupo filled a number of roles for the Bishop Guertin High School football team last fall.

Known best as a wide receiver and a dangerous kick returner, Lupo also lined up at safety, quarterback, running back and outside linebacker. At times, he even served as the team’s long-snapper. 

Shuffling positions became necessary when BG’s injury list grew, and then Lupo went down with an injury himself. He broke a finger on his throwing hand during a loss to Merrimack that kept him out of the lineup for three games.

Despite missing one-third of the regular season, Lupo’s offensive statistics included 333 yards rushing and five touchdowns, plus 17 receptions for 230 yards and two TDs.

“He did it all,” Bishop Guertin coach John Trisciani said. “No matter where we put him he was 100 percent effort in every game, and 100 percent effort in every practice. He’s what you’re looking for in a football player because whatever the team needs he’s willing to do. Definitely the kind of player younger kids could look up to.”

Off the field, Lupo ranked third academically in a class of 210.  He’s a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. In addition, he is a Harvard Book Award winner, a National Spanish Silver Medalist and a U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American.

His honors also include the Joe Yukica New Hampshire Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar/Athlete Award. Lupo is one of 39 NHIAA football players selected for that award this year.

“He works really hard (in school),” Trisciani said. “He takes the most advanced AP classes that he can get in. He is exactly what you’re looking for with this award.”

Lupo was selected to play in the CHaD New Hampshire East/West All-Star Game, but won’t be able to participate because he’s entering the Naval Academy. He was named BG’s Most Valuable Player following his junior and senior seasons, and led the team in touchdowns each year.  

As good as Lupo is on the football field, Trisciani said lacrosse is Lupo’s best sport. He also participated in varsity track. 

“Multiple-sport athlete with success in all of them, and as high academically as anybody could possibly be with his workload and his grades,” Trisciani said. “He’s really a poster boy for our school.”

Q and A with Joey Lupo

Q: Please describe the most memorable moment of your high school football career. 

A: The most memorable moments of my high school football career were during football camp at Camp Winaukee.  It was five days away from home where I worked hard to prepare for the season with my teammates. Among the difficult times, we had fun in the lake and in our cabins, and this made us a team.

Q: Tell us about someone who has had a significant influence on your life.

A: Coach John Trisciani, my head football coach, has had a significant influence in my life.  He helped me become the best football player I could, and motivated me to work my hardest every day. He showed me that football is not just a game, but a place where people can grow morally, mentally, and physically.

Q: What is your favorite subject in school and why? 

A: My favorite subject in school is physics. It fascinates me to learn how everything around us works, and I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of it too.

Q: What life lessons have you learned from football? 

A: Among the many life lessons that I have learned from football, the value of teamwork is one of the most important. What someone can accomplish working with other people is far greater than attempting a task alone. Also, striving to do your best is something that I have taken away from football. Knowing that you have put forth all of your effort leaves you with no regrets, showing that you have seized every opportunity to improve.

Q: What is your dream job? 

A: My dream job is to be a test pilot. Flying planes has always been an interest of mine, and this job is especially appealing as it tests the limits of technology. It includes quick thought and sound judgement, which are admirable qualities I would like to have in the future.

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2020 Scholar/Athletes: Keith Albergo (Winnacunnet), Thatcher Allen (Exeter), Cole Ames (Lebanon)Mason Belsky (Windham), Patrick Brust (Bishop Brady)Jaedon Cliche (Exeter), Riley Desmarais (Windham)Bobby DiCicco (Windham), Jared Dyer (Merrimack), Casey Gladu (Portsmouth)Owen Gormley (Salem), Jack Grogan (Bedford)Steven Guerette (Bow)Evan Haskins (Pelham), Samson Hodges (Milford), Ethan Holt (Bishop Guertin), Jack Jones (Bedford)Charlie Kneissl-Williams (Bedford)Hunter Lassard (St. Thomas), Joseph Lupo (Bishop Guertin), Jake MacInnis (Pinkerton)Braden McDonnell (Nashua South)Will MacLean (St. Thomas), Hayden Moses (Bishop Guertin)Riley Mulvey (Salem)Kyle O’Connor (Nashua South)Nolan Pafford (Portsmouth)Wade Rainey (Lebanon)Ismael Rivera (Bishop Brady)Oceanne Skoog (Newfound)Caleb Smith (Lebanon)Rolando Sylvain-Stott (Newfound), John Thibault (Trinity), Zach Twardosky (Merrimack), Gavin Urda (Milford), Carter Vedrani (Campbell), Jacob Wenger (Trinity), Jon Willeman (Lebanon) and Devin Wood (Merrimack).

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