By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – Name a better linebacker around than Bristol Eastern senior Adam Zavecz?
I’m waiting…
The 6-foot, 200 pound halfback/linebacker/running back/fullback was Mr. Everything for the Lancers in 2023 and this squad doesn’t get near a .500 ledger without his contributions.
“He’s as good of a linebacker as we’ve seen all year,” said Eastern coach Anthony Julius of Zavecz. “He was a great leader for us all year long.”
The athlete, who wasn’t just a jack of all trades but a master at just about everything he did, was everywhere on the field.
And when No. 7 was at his best, he was suplexing – or frankly throwing – opponents to the turf from Alumni Field at BEHS or at several opposing fields around the Central Connecticut Conference area – and New Haven when the need arose – defensively.
He played like a guy that was 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds and was the Eastern leader in tackles, nabbing more than a couple games of double-digit tackling totals.
“[He’s] physical, set the tone for us,” said Julius.
Whether it was defense or offense, Zavecz left his mark in all 10 games he played in – helping the Lancers to a 6-4 record, the best ledger since 2014 when the squad went 7-4.
His offense came in spurts but when Zavecz was part of the schemes in terms of running the football, the athlete gobbled up some serious yardage.
In 2022, he averaged 7.4 yards-per-carry but this year, he increased that tally.
Zavecz was third in carries (26), second in total yardage (236) and the team leader in yards-per-carry (9.1).
In the second half of the season alone, Zavecz averaged 13.1 yards-per-carry, scooping in both his TDs.
He had the longest rush of the campaign (79 yards versus Hartford Public) and captured a 38-yard fourth period carry that kept Hillhouse from getting the ball back with any serious time on the clock in Eastern’s 2-0 road win against Hillhouse during Week Three.
Zavecz also tallied three receptions for 44 yards.
There was a tremendous defensive component when he wasn’t spending all that time on offense as Zavecz proved to be a hard player to keep off the field.
Zavecz added 73 tackles to the till – the team leader in that category – while second on the squad in tackles for a loss (9.5 tackles for a loss of 19.5 yards).
Against Farmington in Week One of the season, the senior tallied two inceptions – capturing 59 yards – and ran in both balls in for touchdowns.
It was the second straight season Zavecz had multiple pickoffs against Farmington.
On Thanksgiving, Zavecz led the team in tackles with 10 and had a half tackle for a loss along the way.
“He had another great game again today [with] double-digit tackles,” said Julius about Zavecz’s effort on Thanksgiving. “He’s a hell of a player.”
Frankly, Zavecz was one of the reasons why opponents averaged just 10.4 points-per-game and completed only 28-percent of its third down chances.
Over the past two seasons, Zavecz has been an all-around standout for the Eastern program – deserving All-State recognition and any postseason award he’s eligible for.
“We’re going to miss him a lot” next season said Julius. “I’m happy with the season that he had. He worked really, really hard and it showed all year long, right from the first game. He kind of set the tone for us and we followed his lead.”
The Adam Zavecz File – Highlights from his (All-State) 2023 Season
*Led the team in tackles and ran back two inceptions for touchdowns against Farmington during Eastern’s 35-14 opening weekend victory.
*Rushed for 102 yards (two touchdowns) – making a carry of 73 yards – on just five carries in Eastern’s 27-13 win over Hartford Public in Week 2.
*Scooped up that monster 38-yard run at Hillhouse while leading the squad in tackles and tackles for losses (three) in the Lancers’ 2-0 triumph over Hillhouse on September 22.
*Tallied 13 tackles in tough 21-14 setback versus South Windsor on Week 4.
*Team leader in tackles against Rocky Hill (seven) during Week 5’s 22-0 shutout on the road.
*Did everything he could to slow down Platt on October 20 with 11 tackles (2.5 for a loss of 5.5 yards) in close 7-6 loss versus Platt.
*Zipped up a 42-yard rush at RHAM on October 28, adding two tackles for a loss in 34-0 thumping on October 28. Eastern earned its third straight shutout on the road, establishing a new school record.
*Caught two passes for 34 yards and led the team in tackles over tough 24-14 setback at Edwin O. Smith on November 3. It was the only double-figure loss of the year by Zavecz and the Lancers.
*Played just one half of Eastern’s 48-8 triumph versus Avon on senior night, co-leading the team in tackles on November 10.
*On Thanksgiving, Zavecz earned Bristol Eastern’s ‘Defensive Player of the Game’ honors with his team high 10 tackles as Bristol Central held on to win, 14-7.
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