Averill Park quarterback Mason Sansone runs the ball against Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk during a game earlier this month in Averill Park. (Stephen Weaver) James Allen Thu, October 29, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AVERILL PARK - Doing what is required is commendable, yet Mason Sansone finds himself always wanting to do much more.
That attitude, for example, helped Sansone - the junior starting quarterback for the Averill Park football team this fall - get his school's varsity baseball coach's attention well before he ever played for George Brooks.
"He is a super hard worker," Brooks said. "I tell this story to seventh and eighth graders about this young man (Sansone) we brought up to the JV team as an eighth grader. Kids in phys ed do a typical warmup every day and you get kids that do it like they are supposed to. Then, you get kids who go above and beyond. I will never forget this. We do 30 seconds of push-ups as part of our warmups and this dude was pumping them out like he was going for the world push-up championships.
"He always had a different edge, where he wanted to compete like no one else."
Sansone helped the Golden Knights capture the 2026 Class A state baseball title in June. Soon after, he transitioned his efforts toward the football team and, after splitting time with Tyler Bradley during the 2025 season, has emerged as a true standout this fall for the Golden Knights (7-1 overall), who begin their playoff quest Friday night at home in a Section 2 Class B quarterfinal against Scotia-Glenville (1-7).
Like Brooks, Averill Park football coach Zach Gobel appreciates what Sansone brings to a team.
"George Brooks demands discipline and he demands guys work hard. We demand similar things," Gobel said. "To have a season (winning a baseball state title) and playing for George I think helped him a ton. When you get used to winning, you expect it. He knows what it takes to be successful. He's done that."
This fall, Sansone helped lead Averill Park to the South Division title. During the regular season, he completed 70 of 111 passes for 1,119 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
"I would say the biggest thing this season has been his accuracy. I would love to take credit, but this is all him," Gobel said. "He throws with his buddies when we're not together and his accuracy has been excellent. With some of the things we do, that is really important."
"Learning from Tyler was amazing. Being a full-time starter is a lot better," Sansone said. "I didn't have one full game all last year, so being able to use all of my weapons has been amazing."
One aspect of Sansone's development Gobel can take credit for is allowing the junior to call audibles at the line of scrimmage in the Golden Knights' option attack.
"We have put a lot on his plate this season. He has handled it all," Gobel said.
"It is probably one of the best feelings in the world that he trusts me and believes in me to make the right choice with the play," Sansone said.
The Golden Knights stumbled in Week 5, dropping a 21-20 overtime loss at Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo - a potential semifinal opponent next week.
"I think it was much needed. It added fuel to the fire," Sansone said of the Week 5 loss. "Coming out the week after that and playing our butts off just showed us what we can really do."
Averill Park did respond extremely well to its lone setback - and Sansone excelled, as he threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-7 Class B South Division triumph over Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk.
"One of the things he has learned is how to overcome adversity. When things don't go right, how do we deal with it and how do we lead? For him, it was a tremendous learning experience on leadership," Gobel said.
Averill Park advanced to the 2025 Class B Super Bowl and dropped a 44-7 decision against Glens Falls. This year, the Golden Knights - ranked No. 19 in the state - are seeking to win a second sectional title since 2024.
"He (Sansone) is super motivated. The whole team is super motivated," Gobel said. "We seem every year to have a game like the one we had with Schalmont. They played a really good game and Joe (Whipple, the Sabres' long-time coach) is a great football coach. It wasn't really a surprise."
Braeden Kilgallon, who played baseball with Sansone during the spring, paces Averill Park's receivers with 22 catches for 391 yards and seven touchdowns.
"He's one of my best friends. I hang out with him all of the time. It is good to know he is going to make a play any time he has the ball in his hands," Sansone said.
With the regular season complete, Sansone said his team is ready for what's next.
"This year has been great. The stats don't really matter. I just want us to win the football games," Sansone said. "I know we've got a good shot to win it. We've had a chip on our shoulder all year to get back there."
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This article originally published at Mason Sansone brings 'different edge' to push Averill Park football team to victory .
Source: Sports
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