Lakeside’s Trottier on the move

Another season, another position switch for Lakeside senior Matt Trottier. As a sophomore, Trottier filled in on coach Brian Dunn’s offensive line, where his 6-foot-3 frame was needed.

“Last year we had him playing tight end on offense and we used him as sort of a walk-off defensive end on defense,” Dunn explained. “Later in the year we moved him to an inside linebacker position and he did really well there. This year we’re putting him at strong side linebacker.”

A second-team all-Northeast A League pick on defense a year ago, Trottier couldn’t be happier.

“That’s kind of a glamour position,” he said. “You get the chance to hit people and make tackles and can make a real difference in a game. It’s the kind of position where you get noticed.”

Getting noticed is important to Trottier, who would like to continue his football career after graduation.

“He’s a good football player and I think he definitely has the tools to go on and play college football,” Dunn said. “I’m just beginning to hear from people, and I think if he has a good year he can have that chance.”

“I’ve heard a little from college coaches,” Trottier said. “Right now, I think the best place for me would be to play junior college football and then hope to move to a Division I program. I can use the time there to learn my linebacker position even better. “

Meanwhile, Trottier is committed to making the most out of his opportunity.

“I know I have to be in the best shape of my life this year,” he said. “I’ve been working hard to get ready, doing a lot of running to get myself in the condition I need as well as lifting weights.”

On offense, Trottier will move from tight end to become a slot receiver.

“Oh, man, I know just how tired I’m going to be after one of our games,” he laughed. “There’s a lot of running playing linebacker, and a lot more running on offense.

A very young team coming into last year, Lakeside did not win a league game – a rare occurance for the Eagles.

“This year we’re still pretty young,” Dunn said. “We have a few seniors like Matt, but we played a lot of sophomores last year, so we’re still pretty young. But we are more experienced.”

In addition to Trottier, the Eagles had a pair second-team all-NEA picks on offense in receiver Coleton Collins and offensive lineman Charles Mitchell.

“We started Mitchell at center last year,” Dunn said. “I hate starting someone that young at such an important position, but he did really well. This year we’re going to move him to tackle.”