WEST CALDWELL-Once in a while thoughts may return to that right leg which went through its own trials and tribulations on the way to a full recovery generated in fairly short order by the young man at the controls of it all.
Caldwell’s Nicco Capaldo will never forget the head tackle he absorbed at Millburn in his team’s seventh game last October 16th, and the resulting tumble to the turf which resulted in a fractured tibia and fibula.
Yet, through dedicated and determined work with Physical Therapist Tim Abraham at Ivy Rehab in West Caldwell, the Chiefs’ valuable two-way back and strong wrestler, was back for the last few weeks of last winter’s mat season, including earning a berth in the NJSIAA state tournament in Atlantic City last March.
He hasn’t missed a beat in the spring and summer getting ready for his senior football season, and he’s off to a terrific start for Caldwell (2-0) with 256 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns in the first two games, along with an interception return for a TD in the Chiefs’ season-opening 43-7 victory at Verona on Sept. 4.
He made the absolute most of his 9 carries in this past Friday night’s (Sept. 10) 48-7 rout of Pequannock in the home opener at Bonnel Field, rushing for 154 yards and 2 TDs, while also continuing to be an important part of the Chiefs’ outstanding defensive secondary.
For his efforts, which include averaging a whopping 12.8 yards per carry in the first two games, the strong 6-foot-2, 185-pound Chiefs senior is the Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.
There wasn’t going to be anything that was going to keep Capaldo from making it all the way back from the broken leg he absorbed now 11 months ago, and the subsequent surgery performed just a day after the injury which required a rod and screws being inserted in the fibula.
“I missed our last two games of the football season and the start of wrestling, but was able to work my way back for the last three weeks of the wrestling season and earn a trip to the states where I was matched up with Delbarton’s Jayden James in the first round.
“He’s a tremendous wrestler for sure, and my cardio wasn’t where it needed to be, but it was great just to make it to AC after such a short season that I had coming back from the injury.
“I was hungry to get right to work in preparing for my senior football season. We work out hard, whether it’s in the weight room or out on the field, and in our free time we try to hang out together, including in the summer at one of the houses with a pool; so it’s been a great time to bond some more in getting ready for where we are now, and I think this team has the type of chemistry that definitely translates into success on the field.”
And as far as that valuable right leg is concerned, there is little or no concern about where it is now.
“I’m 100 % and the leg is fully back,” continued Capaldo. “If there is any hesitation at all, it’s just a quick mental thing and that thought is quickly gone from my mind.
“I’m busy thinking about preparing for our next game and continuing to do my part to lead this team to another victory.
“We have all the ingredients to go out and win a (Group 2) state championship this season. Our quarterback (junior Adam Sepe) is one of the best you’ll find at his position, our receivers (including seniors Santino Russo and Nico Sozio and junior Dante Placenti) are tremendous, and our line is big and strong and continuing to gel as a group.
