Editor’s note: At Local Town Pages’ deadline, neither Gov. Baker nor the Department of Education had yet to announce whether schools would open this fall.

By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer

 Will Lederman has plenty of reasons to look forward to his senior season of football at Natick High.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound quarterback, who’ll be a captain for the Redhawks, is a two-time Bay State Conference all-star and he’s also been selected as the Boston Herald’s Player of the Week on three occasions. 

The statistics he’s compiled are also impressive. He’s passed for 2,535 yards in 20 games, thrown 28 touchdown passes, and completed 143 passes in 253 attempts. He’s rushed for 1,235 yards on 142 carries for an average of 8.7 yards.

An honor student, Lederman, who also wrestles and runs track, is drawing interest from some high-profile colleges. He’s already visited West Point and Holy Cross, and Bentley College and Tufts are also in contention.

His goals for the 2020 season are lofty— they include going unbeaten and winning a Super Bowl title.

The 17-year-old native of Natick, however, is acutely aware there are no guarantees for the future, especially with the coronavirus pandemic still claiming lives and causing changes in daily lifestyles. He’s hopeful schools will open in the fall and that football will be in the mix.

“I believe we’ll be playing,’’ Lederman said. “I’m optimistic and hopeful that by the end of the summer we’ll be in the clear. Football is important to me but more importantly is the health of our nation. That comes first. All the deaths have been awful and the virus has caused difficulties for people trying to pay mortgages and rents. What has been cool is seeing everyone chipping in and doing their part.’’

Lederman knows a real possibility exists that fall sports could be eliminated.

“It’s better to stay optimistic and not dwell on it,’’ he emphasized. “We’re all working out and preparing like the season’s going to happen. But, if there’s no football, I’d be disappointed but I’d look to wrestling and track. Not having football, however, would be devastating for the coaches, for teammates and for fans in the community.’’

If there’s a season, Lederman expects changes, likely at practices, in the locker-room and in the stands. “There could be limits at practice,’’ he noted. “Maybe the groups in the locker-room will be staggered. We often draw large crowds and I’d hate to see limited attendance.’’

Natick fans were smiling often when Lederman was directing the offense last year. Although he missed three games because of an ACL strain, the Redhawks finished 10-1. Head coach Mark Mortarelli labels his QB as “explosive, instinctive and fast.’’

“Will is a dual threat,’’ Mortarelli said. “He can throw for 50 yards or run for 50. He’s accurate with his passes and he’s got a nice touch. What I really like is having a quarterback who wrestles. That means he’s mentally tough, strong and in shape. A leader by example, Will has the option to call audibles.’’

Lederman, who’ll be competing in his fourth varsity season, didn’t waste any time proving that he belonged as a freshman. He started against Mansfield when Christian D’Antonio was sidelined because of a shoulder injury. 

“I ran for a 56-yard touchdown and completed three passes for 75 yards,’’ he recalled. “We won, 16-0, against one of the elite teams in the state. My best game, however, came against Walpole as a sophomore. We won, 42-14. I threw three TD passes and rushed for another in the first half. I passed for 245 yards and rushed for 101.’’

As far as top thrills go, Lederman ranks victories over New Bedford and Brockton at the top of his list. “We played New Bedford my sophomore year in the playoffs,’’ he said. “We trailed, 12-0, but rallied to win, 21-12. I played injured (turf toe) but managed to throw for two TDs and rush for another. The win over Brockton last year was great. We beat our toughest opponent, 35-25, at Brockton. We were behind early, 7-0, but bounced back. I passed for one TD and ran for another.’’

Confident that Natick will seriously contend for a Super Bowl, Lederman realizes what’s necessary if that mission gets accomplished.

“There’s got to be lots of hard work in the off-season,’’ he noted. “Everyone has to be on the same page, physically and mentally. We’ve got the talent and the experience and it helps to be a junior-senior oriented team. The key, however, is preparation and looking no further than the next game.’’

Pre-season practice gets underway Aug. 21 and Lederman will be striving to get into sync with new receivers and his offensive line. “We’ve got only one returning receiver (Nick Ofidile), so it’ll be important to get good timing with the receivers,’’ he emphasized. “And, it’s always good to build confidence in the offensive line. We’ve got some weapons on offense with Ofidile and Avery Lemieux, a slot receiver. Avery was injured last year but he’s super fast. And, Jalyn Aponte is a great running back who knows how to find the endzone.’’

If falls sports get an okay, Natick will open its season at Needham on Sept. 11. Lederman, who’s 1-1 versus the Rockets, will be ready. “We lost to them my sophomore year,’’ he recalled. “I scored a TD on a 15-yard run with four minutes to go but it was called back. We lost, 20-16. Then we bounced back my junior year and shut them out, 42-0. But, losing two years ago still stings.’’

He wants a positive start because he knows if Natick is to win another Carey Division title, it’ll have to beat Walpole and Wellesley. “We’ve won the Carey Division for the last three years,’’ he said.

Lederman, who hopes to major in economics or finance in college, will continue to draw interest from a variety of schools. “I’d like to play at a high level and compete for a top-tier team,’’ he said. One teammate who’ll be rooting for that to occur is twin brother Christian, who’ll be playing tight end and also be on the defensive line.

“It’s a thrill to go to practice with him and to compete with him,’’ Lederman said. “Christian missed his sophomore year because of an ACL injury but he’s fully healthy now. He’s a strong blocker and he’s got good hands. We talk football after practice and watch film together.’’

Will Lederman is eager to watch film and play football this fall for a plethora of reasons. Always positive, Natick’s QB is optimistic that covid-19 will eventually be in everyone’s rear-view mirror.