Flying down the field, junior cornerback Mick Rapinchuk shields the receiver allowing DGS to get the touchdown. Rapinchuk glances up into the packed stadium to see his two brothers cheering him on. Being born and raised in a football family is a driving factor towards Rapinchuk’s success in his football career.
Rapinchuk has been playing football since he was five years old and during those 12 years, he has watched many family members go on to play football at the collegiate level.
“I had two cousins play football in college, along with two brothers who also play football in college. My oldest brother Alex played at Lawrence Tech. My other brother Noah plays at North Central College,” Rapinchuk said.
Having a family history of football players has inspired Rapinchuk in his football journey and has prompted him to want to continue playing at the college level also. Rapinchuk feels that his brother’s going through this journey before him has given him some helpful insight and advice as to what will come for him.
“I know what to go and do more for colleges because they’ve been through the recruiting process already. So I understand what I have to do so I’m not going in completely blind, so that’s something that helps,” Rapinchuk said.
However, being the youngest child in a football legacy family isn’t always a blessing. It has caused Rapinchuk to deal with lots of pressure and expectations from others comparing him to his brothers.
“Comparison obviously happens a lot. It’s something that I have to deal with but I usually just try to roll with it and make sure I’m being my own player and that I’m playing for myself,” Rapinchuk said.
Having coached all of the Rapinchuk brothers, head varsity football coach Mark Molinari doesn’t hold Rapinchuk or any of his players to a higher standard if they had siblings who have also gone through the DGS football program. Molinari also preaches the importance of each player only comparing themselves to their own self.
“I have to tell them that they have to run their own race. You know, whoever it is you believe in, but I believe that God gives all of us different abilities. We are good in many different things and it doesn’t always show up on the field, but it could be in leadership or something else,” Molinari said.
Despite others comparing Rapinchuk to his brothers, he chooses to focus on the advantages his brothers have created for him playing at the collegiate level prior. Rapinchuk’s skills are just one area that this plays out in, as he has gotten three interceptions and over 30 tackles so far this season.
“I’d say the biggest thing is that they always push me above where I’m supposed to be at my age because they’re all older than me, so they accelerated the rate of growth for me so I could be better at my level,” Rapinchuk said.
Molinari also agrees that even though Rapinchuk’s situation is unique, there are far more advantages to having a relative who has gone on to play at a higher level than there are drawbacks.
“I don’t think there is any negative if it is handled correctly. It only helps them with the path that they’re guided in and how they are supposed to go about it. They can be aware of some of the pitfalls that can happen. Relatives can also let them know that this is pretty serious and is going to take a lot of work, and it maybe might not be for them as well,” Molinari said.
Rapinchuk and the rest of the DGS varsity football team will take on Lyons Township High School on Nov. 8 for their second playoff game.
