Chester Pajolek ’11, Tyler Jacobs ’11, Chris Coyne ’11 and Pat Murray ’11 share the esteemed title of 2009 FCIAC Champions and 2009 FCIAC Central Division Champions as Staples football players. Their camaraderie and commitment to the team has contributed a great deal to its success over the past few years.

Next fall when the 2011 seniors go to college, Jacobs and Pajolek will continue to be teammates at Amherst College. Likewise, Coyne and Murray will play alongside each other at Yale University.

Although their positions are not yet determined, Staples football Coach Marce Petroccio is sure that Pajolek will be a quarterback and both Coyne and Murray will be on defense. As for Jacobs, Petroccio says he’s a great candidate for both offensive and defensive positions.

Coyne looks forward to playing alongside Murray at Yale. He sees their close friendship as a characteristic that could be used to the football team’s advantage. “Going to college with a former teammate will definitely make our relationship an asset to the team,” Coyne said.

Murray agrees with Coyne that their prior experience playing together will be a valuable quality. “It’s important that there is camaraderie on a football team, and Coyne and my relationship will allow us to contribute that trait to the team,” Murray said.

Petroccio is thrilled that the two will be playing together and believes that their friendship will be a positive addition to the Yale football team. “Both players are extremely close; they care so much about each other,” Petroccio said.

According to Petroccio, Coyne and Murray have always had “a natural dynamic” that he believes will stay with them as they continue on to Yale.

Petroccio has positive expectations for Pajolek and Jacobs as well.

Pajolek, who was quarterback of the 2010 season prior to an injury, is eager to begin playing at Amherst alongside a former Wrecker and already has a positive outlook on the football season.

“Playing alongside Tyler at Amherst is an exciting opportunity. Having someone who I’ve played football with for so long continue to play on the same team as I will make adjusting much easier,” Pajolek said.

Jacobs shares equal enthusiasm for the 2011 football season. “I’m excited to get to work with Chester again. There’s definitely a strong sense of unity in Staples football and next year we will be able to bring that to a new team,” Jacobs said.

Although Pajolek and Jacobs will continue to work together, they will be competing against a former teammate who will play in the same conference.

Rob Gau ’11, who was recruited to Trinity College’s football team, will be one of Pajolek and Jacobs’ opponents during the season. Although Gau will not be playing alongside any high school teammates, he predicts that playing against them in the same conference will be just as fun.

“Being able to play against Chester and Tyler is a great opportunity, and it will show how hard we each have worked to get to where we will be,” Gau said.

“I think it’s hilarious,” Petroccio said in reference to the competition. “The players have a special bond and now they have the opportunity to play against each other. It makes it fun,” Petroccio said. “It’s inevitable that they will play their friends, but the competition is healthy.”

Although they will be competing against their high school teammates, Pajolek, Jacobs, Coyne and Murray have a rare advantage. Their camaraderie is a dynamic that isn’t grown overnight, but rather over years.

“In football, camaraderie and unity are more important than how athletic you are and how strong you are,” Petroccio said. “Our best seasons have always been when the team has the best chemistry.”

Petroccio characterizes this year’s seniors as one of the closest groups in the past few years, especially the friendships between Pajolek, Jacobs, Coyne and Murray. As the players move on to college, Petroccio is confident that this quality will get them far.

“The fact that these guys care so much about each other, that’s what equates in to wins.”