Player Spotlight - Chantilly Linebacker Mike Quigg
If you were to ask most Oakton football players about who they respect on Chantilly's defense, the answer would almost certainly be senior middle linebacker Mike Quigg.
In last year's playoffs, the first team all-district and second team all-region selection snared two interceptions during the final minute of the Chargers' 23-14 win over the Oakton Cougars. He returned his first pick 27 yards for a touchdown, while his second sealed the win over the 2005 state champions. "I was just in the right place at the right time," said Quigg, a captain for the Chargers this year. "It was pretty crazy to get two interceptions in such a short amount of time."
Chantilly head coach Mike Lalli said Quigg has a knack for being around the ball late in games. "He's just a big-play kid," Lalli said. "One coach in the district described him as someone who's always around the ball."
Quigg isn't the strongest, fastest or tallest player on the field for the Chargers. But, the 5-foot-7-inch, 185-pounder uses the size and athleticism he does have to lead one of the most respected defenses in the Concorde District. "I'm not the biggest guy out there," Quigg said. "But I make up for it with my quickness and just knowing the game."
Lalli, a former defensive coordinator for the Chargers, said Quigg's intelligence and instincts more than make up for what he lacks in size. "Mike has a tremendous amount of football knowledge," Lalli said. "He uses his head when he's out there and it really makes him a great player." Lalli said that Quigg has made a name for himself not only as a linebacker, but also as a bruising fullback, occasionally making appearances in goal-line situations. "A lot of people forget that Mike also runs the ball once in a while," Lalli said. "Last year against Herndon he converted a huge fourth down for us late in the game. It was a big play because it was such a close game."
In addition to being a smart player, Lalli said Quigg has evolved into a leader for not only the defense, but the entire team early in his senior season. "Mike has really stepped up and filled the gap left by the seniors who left last season," Lalli said. "Along with him, Austin [Decker], Doug [Boyle] and Justin [Carwile], we have a great group of captains."
Quigg, who was a starter last year for the state runner-up Chargers, said he learned a lot from the team's postseason run, which started with his two late interceptions against Oakton. "Last year we had a great run," Quigg said. "But this year, second in the state won't be acceptable; we want to win it all."
