Thanks to the guidance of Coach Halikman and their own individual hard work, Devante Miguel, Giordani Point Du Jour, and Matthew Disisto – along with many other students from Somerset Academy Canyons – were chosen to compete in the Florida Independent Football Conference.

What is the FIFC?

The Florida Independent Football Conference (FIFC) is an athletic conference in which high school football players represent their school and compete against other schools in the South Florida region. There are four divisions, broken into North, South, Northeast, and Southeast categories. They are divided by their location and level of athleticism. There are four teams in each division and from sixteen to eighteen teams in total. The conference is designed to present teams able to compete for a FIFC championship. There will be a division and conference championship which will include eight teams. The top four teams will enter the championship conference, while the bottom four will be in the bowl championship bracket.

Miguel, a senior, acquired the All Conference First-Team position. Point Du Jour, a sophomore, earned a position in the All Conference Second-Team and was titled the All Conference Scholar Athlete. Disisto, a junior, acquired a position in the All Conference Special Teams. These three players were recently asked about the FIFC and their football careers. Here are their responses.

Sasha Legagneur: [At] what age did you start playing football, and what attracted you to the sport?

Devante Miguel: I started playing football at 13 years old and I’ve always loved the sport. It’s sort of in my bloodline, with my dad’s side of the family being big sports fans.

SL: What was your initial reaction when you heard that you were chosen to play in the FIFC?

DM: I didn’t know what it meant at first, but when I found out [what it was] I got super excited.

SL: Do you plan on pursuing a career in football or playing the sport in college?

DM: Yes, I want to play when I get to college and see where my career goes.

SL: What advice would you give to someone who would like to start playing football?

DM: Football isn’t for everyone, but if you think you can play, play with passion and with all your heart.

Sasha Legagneur: [At] what age did you start playing football, and what attracted you to the sport?

Giordani Point Du Jour: I started playing when I was 15. My coaches and family suggested that I participate in the sport.

SL: What was your initial reaction when you heard that you were chosen to play in the FIFC?

GP: I was surprised, yet glad because the work and support that was put into my season paid off.

SL: Do you plan on pursuing a career in football or playing the sport in college?

GP: I’m going to try to do both.

SL: What advice would you give to someone who would like to start playing football?

GP: I would say to stay humble, always work to better yourself, work with your teammates, and still focus on your academics.

Sasha Legagneur: [At] what age did you start playing football, and what attracted you to the sport?

Matthew Disisto: I was 14 and after a couple of years of watching it on TV, I knew that was the sport that I wanted to play.

SL: What was your initial reaction when you heard that you were chosen to play in the FIFC?

MD: I was very humbled and appreciative of the team for recognizing my accomplishments throughout the season; I couldn’t have done it without them.

SL: Do you plan on pursuing a career in football or playing the sport in college?
MD: I plan to pursue football in college. It is my passion and I want to play it for as long as I can.

SL: What advice would you give to someone who would like to start playing football?

MD: I would say that it is a very fast-paced and exciting game. It is a great experience that everyone should try. You have to work hard, but you learn a lot of life lessons along the way.