Maiatico had a big impact on Skyline | Nvdaily

FRONT ROYAL – The last time Skyline sporting director Bill Cupp saw Logan Maiatico, who died in a car crash on Monday, the Skyline 2021 graduate was trying to convince Cupp to let him play one more game.

“The last time I saw him personally was when we hosted Strasbourg at the end of August,” Cupp said. “He actually got down (on the sidelines) and he made the comment to me that, like a joke, if I could buy him a uniform, they wouldn’t know who he was. He was still joking like that. Even then. , he was itching to play, that competitive fire was obviously still in him. “

Maiatico’s competitive fire and sense of humor were two of the things his teammates and coaches mentioned when talking about him after Tuesday’s soccer practice.

Maiatico was an outstanding athlete, who played football and athletics. He also played baseball in his senior season.

Skyline senior Brayden Poe said it was hard to stay mad at Maiatico because of his ability to make you laugh.

“It was never all laughs,” Poe said. “You could be mad at him and he would come and do the dumbest thing there is and you couldn’t be mad at him. That’s just what it is.”

Skyline head coach Heath Gilbert said Maiatico always joked when they played basketball in gym class.

“He loved basketball,” Gilbert said. “He thought he was (NBA Golden State Warrior) Steph Curry. He thought he was the best at everything. He was shooting the ball from great distances. He’s like ‘Coach Gilbert, I’m always open’. we would have a trade every time. “I’m open, I’m open.” He tells me ‘I’m still an open coach.’ “

He excelled in sports, especially soccer and track and field.

In track and field, as a senior, he was part of the 400 and 1,600 relays, both of which finished second at the Class 3 state championships. In second year, Maiatico finished ninth in the triple jump and was part of the l 1,600-place relay team in fourth place at the Class 3 State Championships.

Maiatico had his best year on the football field last season. He ran for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns on 89 carries in a shortened season. He also had five receptions for 130 yards. Maiatico finished with 15 total touchdowns, including two defensive touchdowns. He was the Northwest District Class 3 offensive player of the year and the Northern Virginia Daily offensive football player of the year.

The 5-foot-9, 130-pound Maiatico also played baseball his senior season, for the first time, while competing in track and field. He was a selection of the Northwest District All-Class 3 second team.

Gilbert said Maiatico’s work ethic was part of the reason for his success.

“With his work ethic, Logan Maiaticos, (Skyline 2021 graduate) Will Wolfs, are the hardest workers on the team,” Gilbert said. “It just makes it easier for everyone to do their jobs. They didn’t allow their teammates not to work hard with them. So this standard that they set every day was great on the football field. And translated for him. and for many of our seniors. And I can’t thank him enough for the mindset he had and how he helped elevate our program. “

Gilbert said it was always difficult for him and his team to imagine Maiatico was gone.

“It’s devastating to your heart,” Gilbert said. “It’s been a tough 36 hours, a lot of tears. We’re just trying to get through it. And Logan Maiatico’s family, I just can’t know how his parents are feeling. worst nightmare for any parent to think about your kid being gone and he had such a life. He was so fun. The boy never had a bad day. The boy just always had a smile. He was always positive. , optimistic. He didn’t mind working hard and was a great fun. He could relate to anyone, it didn’t matter. He was just a fun loving kid. C was a good boy.

Gilbert said the football team did not train on Monday because he wanted the players to be able to return home and be with their families.

He said Monday evening that the Lindon fire station had allowed people to come and visit the family.

“The Maiaticos were quite strong and able to be there,” said Gilbert. “So we were able to go and hug them. And I don’t know what I would be, maybe I would be in a shell and put everyone out and be pissed off at everyone. I just can’t believe it. how kind they were. And going and hugging them and telling them we loved them meant a lot to me (Monday night) and to a lot of the kids. So I appreciated that the Lindon fire station hosted this . “

A candlelight vigil in honor of Maiatico was due to be held at the Skyline football pitch on Wednesday evening.

Skyline senior Ethan Caperton said he has known Maiatico since they played midget football and has always loved the way he gave his all in every game.

“He was such a tough player,” said Caperton. My dad called him ‘I can’t kill him Logan’ because he would never fall by the first two hits. He’s always been someone who will go as hard as he can – at 100 % all the time, every game, because he loved the game. He would tell me all the time when we were younger that he was going to get into the NFL. And of course when we grew up things got changed, but it was his dream and he played the way he wanted. to be there. “

Poe said everyone loved Maiatico and that he had a positive effect on all of his teammates.

“This kid was a brother to me,” said Poe. “He was the brother of all the guys in the locker room whether these guys got to play with him or not. I never met a person who didn’t like him. He was a (heckuva) an athlete. all he did was 110 percent effort, including when he graduated high school and went to work. He gave 110 percent no matter what. he did. He was a great person, a great teammate. “

At the end of Tuesday’s practice, several players walked away from the team with tears in their eyes and several hugged.

Gilbert said all of the players showed up for practice on Tuesday, although they would have understood if some hadn’t been able to be there.

“Everyone came today, and I think they know what kind of player Logan was and they want to pay tribute to him,” Gilbert said. “Probably the way he would want to be honored. And he only knew one speed. He knew ‘I’m going to go hard and I’m going to play like I weigh 250 pounds and I’m not.’ I think our kids – that’s what they want to do. “