Concord High’s Division I football season opener at Goffstown could have gone all wrong two years ago. Raider Agan, then a sophomore, stepped in at center when the Crimson Tide needed him most and set up teammate Colby Nyhan for the winning 37-yard field goal in a 17-14 victory.
Agan is sharp on the football field. As a lineman, his footwork and attention to detail have led to big wins in the trenches. More than that, his biggest contributions have been off the field.
His versatility and poise aren’t simply learned, and he wants to ensure the future of Concord football understands that. The rising senior is entering his fourth year as a junior coach for the Concord Capitols.
“I started off just being there to help, do a little bit support. Then for my second year helping, I kind of ran drills and all that,” he said. “And last year I ran drills, helped with play, helped set up defense.”
Concord Capitols director of football operations David Levesque said Agan’s impact goes far beyond just the footwork tips he shares with the kids. Agan is establishing a strong football culture and continuity.
It’s a balancing act between school, his Concord Regional Technical Center criminal justice program and both playing and coaching football. It’s not an easy schedule to manage, but there’s nowhere he’d rather be than the gym or on the field.
Concord principal Jim Corkum, who coached Agan with the Crimson Tide for the last three years, said his efforts are invaluable to building a strong football program.
The coaching staffs of the Capitols and the high school programs want student-athletes to love the game. There’s no better way to foster that than with role models.
Agan is a good student, Corkum said; he’s kind and has developed his ability to connect with the kids he coaches in a meaningful way. He’s not just teaching football when he’s out there — he’s leading by example.
“They really look up to them and they think, like, ‘Hey, that could be me one day playing on the varsity team and playing under the lights,’ ” Corkum said.
Despite being an important volunteer coach, Agan hasn’t given up on his playing dreams. He still hopes to play college football and pursue a career in law enforcement.
He’s constantly asking questions and soaking up as much of the game as he can. He assists with lifts, conditioning, drills and everything in between. This upcoming year, he’ll be as committed as ever.
Many of the kids he’s helped coach will get their first taste of varsity football as freshmen this fall, already knowing the ins and outs from a player’s perspective.
“Raiders (is) setting the bar high for a lot of them, but hopefully it continues,” Levesque said.
The Concord Capitols‘ official football season begins for grades 3-6 the week of Aug. 3 and grades 7-8 on Aug. 10.