Starling Leads Sachem Linemen Closer to 'Dream' [Video/Photos]

If you’ve gone to a Sachem North football game this year, you’ve almost always heard Jacob Starling screaming from the field: after a hit, before a hit, in the huddle or after a win. He’s a fiery player and leaves his emotions on the field.

Now he’s looking to harness his emotion for the biggest game of his career, a rematch with William Floyd for the Suffolk County Division I title for the third straight season.

“Being here for a third time in a row is a statement,” said Starling, a senior two-way lineman. “No body believed we could do it, we just have each other.”

Starling has led by example on the line this season, understanding he had more responsibility this year, his final as a Sachem football player.

“I do better under pressure," he said, "so I’ve gotten better and better."

“We were expecting big things,” Sachem coach Dave Falco said. “He has come across as one of our leaders, our vocal leaders. You better put two guys on him because he’s going to make tackles. He’s a beast up front and has had a great year.”

As for Floyd, Starling said Sachem has to out-tough the Colonials.

“Their well coached, we’re well coached,” he said. “It’s going to come down to players and who’s more athletic.”

Having played with and learned from Sachem alums Joe Kirchner, Tim Lang and James Thompson, Starling has had perfect examples of how to conduct himself like a true Flaming Arrows lineman.

Now he just has to set his name in stone when it comes to winning a county title, something those other players were not able to achieve with their teams.

“It means the world to me because there are only six other teams to ever do it,” Starling said. “That’s my dream right now. We have it within our grasp so I’m ready.”

Watch the video in the gallery above to see Starling talk about his season and Sachem's playoff run.