Mahopac's DeMatteo Named Golden Dozen Award Recipient

MAHOPAC, N.Y. - MHS student athlete DJ DeMatteo has been named a recipient of the 51st annual Golden Dozen awards by the Westchester Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. It’s a collection of high school football standouts from the 2023 season who excelled both on the field and in the classroom.

More than 600 players have been named Golden Dozen scholar-athletes by the Westchester Chapter of the NFF since 1974 and the organization has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarship grants.

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DeMatteo’s father, Dominick DeMatteo, is also his head coach. He said his son represents the very best of what a student-athlete should be.

“He excelled in the classroom while continuing to challenge himself academically throughout his high school career,” his father said. “He thrives in multiple athletic arenas not only as a difference-maker athletically but as a leader to his teammates and community.

He notes that DJ was recently recognized by the New York Giants, USA Football, and the Hospital for Special Surgery as a “Heart of a Giant” finalist during Week 2 of the football season.

Mahopac News sat down with DJ last week to get his reaction to being named to the Golden Dozen team and what the next chapter in his life might bring.

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You’re a multisport athlete. Are there things about football that help you be a better baseball player and vice versa?

There are several crossovers playing quarterback in football and catcher in baseball. In both positions, you’re the field general. I feel playing both has helped me with leadership, decision-making, and accountability. When something goes wrong or someone needs an answer, they typically look at the guys playing these positions.

Playing catcher in baseball has helped me with my arm slots in football. I was able to get in different positions and throw the football more efficiently this year than ever. Playing quarterback in football has made me a much better baseball thrower on the run by using my football footwork whenever I’m on the move.

Are there things that make it challenging to adjust from one to the other?

The clear struggle of transition is the mental aspect. Football is a violent game. If you mess up, you can go hit someone, forget about it, and move on.

While in baseball that’s not the case. The greats fail 70 percent of the time at the plate; you rarely experience that level of failure in a football game. In football you depend on other people, everyone has to do their job for success. Baseball every play there is a one-on-one battle when you’re in the box. It’s you vs. the pitcher and there is nobody to lean on.

How do you balance schoolwork and sports?

Time management and effort. I’ve noticed over the past couple of years that if you succeed in these two areas, there is no paper too long or practice too strenuous. Mahopac has also been a great environment for me, they have many opportunities and ways to get help if you need it.

Do you have one or two go-to training/workout moves?

My go-to training move has always been the squat. Playing in the box with football and catching in baseball has always been important to me. I had a strong foundation with my legs.

What are your favorite school subjects?

Math. I have been a math guy from the jump and continued to love it through high school. Something about numbers just always interested and intrigued me.

What do you plan to study after high school, and have you thought beyond college yet?

I committed to play baseball at Middlebury College in Vermont. I will study mathematics and statistics there.

What about outside of sports and school... any hobbies?

I tend to say I’m a pretty simple high school kid. I love my sports, working out, and spending time with friends. They all give me time I extremely value to just detach from a busy schedule.

What’s it like playing for your dad?

It’s an absolute dream. There is nobody I would rather work my tail off for and go to battle with on Fridays than my very own father. It has been a pleasure playing for him and in my opinion, he is one of the most knowledgeable coaches in the state. My dad is a role model to me and who I ultimately look up to every day.

When and how did you learn you made the Golden Dozen and what did that feel like?

I’ll never forget walking in the door to a big grin on my dad’s face and hearing the words, “You did it dude, you’re in the Golden Dozen.” Hearing those words was finally the closure I think I needed for this football season.

I still struggled with the fact that I’d never wear a helmet, run out of the tunnel, or bring a play in from my dad again. However, this award was something I always dreamt of, and getting it made me realize all good things must come to an end. Once he told me, I dropped my stuff, ran upstairs, and called my grandfather right away. I couldn’t wait to tell him.

What have sports taught you about life?

Playing sports has taught me numerous things. However, one thing stood out to me this football season from my grandfather. He would always say to me before every game, “Football is about the next play, but life is about the next day.” This really opened my eyes to the whole idea of perseverance, what is in the past is in the past. It truly doesn’t matter, go after what’s next. You control the future, don’t get hung up on other stuff.

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