Class 2012: Jay Hanlon overcomes adversity to become a powerful defensive force (Video)

Today, CFC features class 2012 defensive back from the Prince Andrew Panthers, Jay Hanlon. Jay has played football for four years.

Jay Hanlon

Positions:
Defensive Back, Cornerback, Special Teams

Height/Weight:
5’9, 145 lbs

Teams:
Prince Andrew Panthers (high school: NSSAFFL)
Dartmouth Destroyers (varsity: NSVFL)
Dartmouth Knights (junior varsity: NSVFL)
Dartmouth Stingers (bantam)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Acadia, Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s

Class:
2012

Among the teams Jay has suited up for include both the Dartmouth Knights and Dartmouth Destroyers of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL), the Dartmouth Stingers and his high school team, the Prince Andrew Panthers of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

In his second year of bantam with the Stingers, the defensive standout was team MVP. During his time with the junior varsity Knights, he experienced a special, yet rewarding moment in his career.

“My most memorable football experience was winning the championship in junior varsity,” explains Jay of the moment. “The feeling of winning that trophy and holding it up was unexplainable.”

“It was a feeling I have never felt before from winning anything.”

Overcoming adversity is something that is familiar to the Panthers defensive back. During the four seasons he’s played football, Jay has battled through injuries including torn ligaments and broken bones. However, his determination has made it possible for him to persevere on the field.

“I couldn’t seem to stay off the bench until my final season as a Panther where I strived for perfection and nothing less,” adds Jay. “I took the injuries as a lesson and decided to get in the driver’s seat and pull through them.”

One of the main football influences in Jay’s career has been junior and senior varsity coach Blair Sampson.

“Blair has helped me along the way and always gave me opportunities to prove myself,” comments the Panthers’ defensive back. “He helped me a lot with football and showing me how to be a team player and be a strong football player.”

Furthermore, the support of his family and close friends has made it possible for Jay to pursue his football career.

“My friends and family; of course, my dad, mom, and sister have given me tons of support with football and everything I do and they wouldn’t miss a game for anything,” says Jay. “They strive for me to be the best, get me to work my butt off for it and it’s definitely paid off.”

“My close friends, who again are consistently pushing me to play to my full potential, are always helping me out with little touch up things while keeping me healthy and active during the offseason.”

Once he does graduate from Prince Andrew in June, the defensive star plans to either pursue studies in zoology, biology or marine biology.

“I have always had a passionate love for animals and travelling, so I figured the best of both worlds would be to study animals around the world,” comments Jay of his future academic plans.

Overall, Jay is grateful for the education he’s received from the game, which he continually uses in tackling all life and football endeavours.

“Some major things that I have learned from football would be dedication, team work, leadership but most importantly hard work or striving for excellence,” explains Jay. “If you want something, you have to put the time and effort into striving for it, and if you don’t have the dedication for it, then you don’t have what it takes to be a football player or whatever you want to be.”

Panthers head coach Joe Flemming says that Jay has continued to excel on the defensive unit of the team through the versatility he’s shown at his position. Additionally, the defensive star possesses great energy in a compact package.

“He’s capable of maintaining his position long enough to confirm play direction, and fast enough to move in for the tackle at or just beyond the line of scrimmage,” comments Flemming. “Jay is the kind of player that that takes down his opponent on the first hit with a pretty heavy blow; if he’s coming in for the cleanup tackle, you’re gonna really feel it because he hits with precision and with a vengeance.”

“He has a keen sense of where and how plays develop in order to position himself well on each down. He is always pumpedand ready to hit the field.”

Video of Jay’s Football Highlights:

Photos 1, 2 and 3 courtesy of Joe Chrvala of Cheetahs Football)
(website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jchrvala)

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)