Copyright The Boston Herald
Sophomore QB Rory Funke has helped carry Dexter Southfield (6-2) to a Class A NEPSAC bowl berth, and he’s only getting better. Dexter Southfield coach Casey Day realized Funke’s talent early on. “We’ve had a couple other guys in between years, but Rory was a Day 1 starter from the first day he came on campus,” said Day. “He just had a (sense of) maturity, competitiveness, and really an advanced level of leadership for a kid who was a freshman in high school at the time.” Funke’s parents were athletes at Boston College. His father, Jerod, was a football player, while his mother, Gabrielle, played multiple sports. She starred in field hockey and lacrosse. Rory’s older brothers are linemen. His oldest sibling, Jack, is a junior offensive tackle at Boston College. Dominic is a dominant senior edge-rusher with Xaverian and has also committed to BC. “We’re all different types of athletes,” said Funke. “I think it’s also just very good to see their hard work and their dedication. It (has) truly led me to want to follow in their footsteps, and work hard at everything.” Rory chose to be a quarterback. He has racked up 735 yards passing while rushing for 639 yards, registering 17 total touchdowns this season. Day compares his QB to former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL pro Tim Tebow because of his athletic style and ability to scramble for big gains when plays break down. “He just has those intangibles of all those great athletes that we all sit down to watch,” Day said. “He’s got it… He just does everything. You can come to one of our practices, and you can see him going about every drill he does with the exact same amount of focus, and attention to detail.” There were questions as to how Dexter Southfield might perform in the newly-revamped NEPSAC. Funke took his game to a new level during his sophomore campaign. He led the Brookline-based school to six straight wins to open the season. Against Loomis Chaffee Oct. 18, Funke completed 12-of-13 passes for 109 yards. He also rushed for 116 yards, finishing with three total touchdowns during a 23-10 victory. The win clinched a NEPSAC bowl berth. The following week, Dexter Southfield fell short to Avon Old Farms (29-28). Nonetheless, Funke was great against a regional heavyweight, willing his team back from a 14-0 deficit. He tallied 163 yards passing to go with 153 yards rushing, with three more touchdowns. Funke also plays baseball, and aims to play both sports collegiately if the opportunity presents itself at a Div. 1 school. “To put it into short terms, I think the passion I bring is really what separates me,” Funke said. “I’m a really good athlete I think, but what separates me is how much heart I show and how I lead my team. At the end of the day, I try to do everything I can to win. I don’t care about the stats I put up or anything. I just want to win. I think my teammates respect that, and they show that same passion as well.”
