Ian Dixon’s soccer profession was born within the trenches.
Always a lot bigger than the remainder of his grade, the Wakefield senior went from offensive lineman duties within the city’s Pop Warner program to the identical duties for Stoneham’s weight restriction-less Pop Warner program only a couple years later.
His measurement come highschool had him beginning at offensive deal with his freshman yr, then his athleticism moved him to protect his sophomore yr.
Blocking prowess has fused along with his DNA, although nothing can compete with the fun of catching getting the ball throughout a recreation. Now in his second yr beginning at tight finish, Dixon vividly remembers the primary time he did.
“My first catch was against Greater Lawrence last year in the opening game, and it was a seam route right over the middle – caught it and took the guy for about 25 yards,” he mentioned. “I still love blocking, I grew up a lineman. … It’s a lineman’s dream to get the ball in their hands. It’s just amazing, I love the (tight end) position.”
While the talents the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Dixon picked up as an offensive lineman are an important software the Wakefield soccer group makes use of in its rousing success this yr, it’s removed from his identification.
Perhaps equally as gifted at defensive finish, the four-year starter brings loads of ardour towards offense. Tight finish is his most popular spot, a lot that he’s primarily promoting that position in relation to taking part in on the subsequent degree.
With primarily an extra-mobile, sixth offensive lineman that may run a clear route off the road and has dependable arms, Dixon is a premier weapon for a 7-0 Warriors group that stands as considered one of simply 20 remaining undefeated packages. He doesn’t get the stats head coach John Rafferty says he may if the group didn’t have a lot expertise on the talent positions round him, however there’s no mistaking his half in Wakefield’s 28 factors per recreation this yr.
Aided by their offensive firepower, the Warriors are the one group to beat Div. 4 contender Stoneham, and the newest MIAA Div. 3 energy rankings pin Wakefield at No. 2 – which is a far cry from the heartbreak this system confronted final yr by falling only one slot in need of the playoffs at No. 17. Dixon’s 92-yard landing reception in that win over Stoneham reveals precisely what he’s able to alongside the blocking, particularly in a recreation Wakefield obtained a little bit further juice in from the media presence there to cowl Spartans coach Bob Almeida’s bid for a 2 hundredth profession win.
While possibly unstated, Wakefield is aware of very properly what it has in Dixon, a two-time Middlesex League Freedom All-Star.
“(The comfort in Dixon on the line) is huge, it’s absolutely huge, without a doubt. I can’t really imagine right now not having him, he’s a linchpin,” Rafferty mentioned. “Ian has been on the scene and his impact has just grown and it’s grown and it’s grown. He’s kind of like that unspoken rock. … He’s going to be able to perform at a level that is going to be matched to or in excess of anybody else that the opponent puts on the field. And I think our kids know that.”
Tight finish is his favourite place, however protection has even come extra pure to Dixon as a third-year starter at defensive finish.
That a lot was evident in final week’s win over a Watertown group that’s had the Warriors’ quantity as of late. Dixon might not have scored a landing to assist it rally from a 7-0 deficit to a 21-7 win, however his sensational efficiency to accrue a career-best 4 sacks actually powered the comeback. Pair that with a crucial deal with within the backfield towards Stoneham to pressure a turnover-on-downs on the Spartans’ opening drive, and people moments add to an extended listing of performs Dixon has made to assist form every win.
And boy, have there been lots.
“Something that we’ve always tried to maintain is a certain level of unspoken drive,” Rafferty mentioned. “We practice one way and one way only. … Everybody is on the same path and we’re just driving toward it.”
The momentum all began final yr when Wakefield took out the anger of lacking the playoffs on Melrose, ending an 11-year shedding streak within the Thanksgiving recreation. Now Wakefield is lastly reaping the advantages of getting a veteran-laden squad this yr, and Dixon is simply joyful to play his half alongside most of the gamers he’s performed with for the final seven or so years.
Between an undefeated document, beating Melrose for the primary time, beating Stoneham for the primary time and getting an edge on Watertown after it performed an element within the Warriors lacking the playoffs in 2021, he truly couldn’t have wished for a greater senior yr to date.
“We’re playing with a chip on our shoulders … we’re all just coming together,” he mentioned. “We’re all planning on staying undefeated. It’s amazing. The team is playing outstanding this year. It’s everyone. Everyone is firing. … It’s the last ride, it’s the last time we’re all going to be playing together. Our chemistry is amazing, we just know each other in and out.”
PROFILE BOX
NAME: Ian Dixon
SCHOOL: Wakefield
AGE: 17
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-foot-3, 230 kilos
POSITIONS: Tight finish, defensive finish
FAMILY: Eric Dixon (father), Kerri Dixon (mom), Luke Dixon (brother), Hana Dixon (sister)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2x Middlesex League Freedom All-Star, All-Conference participant, senior captain
FAVORITE PERSONAL MOMENT IN SPORTS: 1a. Beating Stoneham senior yr, 1b. Beating Melrose on Thanksgiving junior yr
FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: Math – Statistics
LEAST FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: Environmental Science
FAVORITE PIGOUT FOOD: Dave’s Hot Chicken
FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Office
FAVORITE MOVIE: Remember the Titans
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: Madden
FAVORITE SMARTPHONE APP: Instagram
FAVORITE TWITTER ACCOUNT TO FOLLOW: Wakefield Athletics
FAVORITE PRO TEAM: Patriots
FAVORITE ATHLETE: Rob Gronkowski
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A GAME: Hydrate, take heed to music, eat a fantastic meal the evening earlier than and a great breakfast
IF YOU COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE: Coach Rafferty. Get to scheme and recreation plan towards different groups
CAREER AMBITIONS: Play school soccer for a fantastic college and get a fantastic training
Source: www.bostonherald.com