OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
The Concord Crimson Tide’s football captains are prepared to take on another season of Division I competition.
Over the past few years as Tide players, both have worked toward becoming better players, students and people, leading them to earn the respect of their peers and increased recognition as captains.
We checked in with Tim Fahnbulleh, a senior running back, defensive back and returner, and with Colin Savard, a junior running back, to discuss their personal goals for the year and the upcoming season.
Q: How do you prepare for the football season?
Savard: When preparing for the season. I’m always in the weight room getting as strong as possible. Over the summer, I spent my time training at Kyle Brown Performance Training improving my strength, speed and explosiveness. I’ve definitely seen improvements in my performance, and my 40-time is now 4.5s compared to last year’s 5.0s. But I haven’t only worked out. Keeping a steady diet has also helped me gain a healthy 30lbs over the off-season; lots of protein and calorie tracking were a must.
Fahnbulleh: To prepare for the season, I had lots of workouts, usually with my teammates, and got some RB drills from Elia Bahuma, who graduated a couple of years ago. I also got in the weight room to get stronger and faster and become a better player.
Q: What is the hardest part of playing football, and what is the best part?
Savard: The hardest part about football is having the mental ability to remember your responsibilities. When switching from free safety to outside linebacker, my way of seeing the field is way different. But yes, playing on Friday nights is a surreal experience, and playing in front of your hometown is great. You need to know your plan and how you’re going to execute it against great and alright teams.
Fahnbulleh: The Hardest part about playing football is the off-season and the dedication you have to bring to the team. During the summer, we had football four days out of the week, which took most of the team’s summer, but with that comes great team bonding that helps you become a better team. The best part of football is the ‘Friday Night Lights’ and being able to play football with the teammates I’ve played with since freshman year, as well as having my friends and family watch me.
Q: How does it feel to represent the Concord Crimson Tide as a football captain?
Savard: It feels great to know my team trusts me as a leader. Over the summer, I helped fellow classmates and rising athletes learn more about the sport and slowly got them ready for what it takes to play at the varsity level. I believe everyone wants it just as bad as we captains do.
Fahnbulleh: Representing Concord football as a captain is a great title to have, to know my teammates trust and believe in me to help lead them. But I believe the seniors on this team are all leaders and are good at leading by example.
Q: What are your goals for this upcoming season?
Savard: My personal goal this season is to rush for over 1,000 yards. It’s something I’ve wanted since our season ended last November, and all the work I’ve put in this off season is not going to waste. For my team goal, I want to take us past the first round of playoffs. I know we have the athletes and determination to do it. It’ll just come down to how we go into game week and prepare for every team that is on our schedule.
Fahnbulleh: My personal goal this season is to try and rush for over 1,000 yards. I believe I’ve worked hard enough to be able to reach 1,000, as well as being all-state.
Q: What do you love doing outside of football?
Savard: In my free time, I love to be outside, especially with my friends and family. Pickup basketball or hanging out with the guys in something I’ll always enjoy, but when I’m by myself, I love going to the gym and playing video games.
Fahnbulleh: Outside of football, I love to hang out with my friends and be outside. We like to play a lot of different sports, as well as playing video games. In my free time, I like to watch shows and learn new things, like watching the news, YouTube, etc.