Provided by Milford Academy
NEW BERLIN – In 1999, when Milford Academy was on a mission to relocate the campus after being in based in Connecticut since opening their doors, Athletic Director and head football coach Bill Chaplick was selected to lead. After a long process, the academy selected the old New Berlin school, located on School Road inside the village. The campus now plays host to a new roster of approximately 50 players from all over the country.
Following the one-year stint, many members of the team will receive scholarship offers to play Division-I or Division-II schools while some are recruited to play at Division-III programs. Depending on there play at the collegiate level, some may get there shot at playing in the pros.
In April, 10 players who were members of the 2013 and 2014 rosters under Chaplick, were either drafted by, signed by or invited by National Football League (NFL) organization to become a member of their team.
The first portion of this two-part series featured the the first four of the 10 players – Blessuan Austin, Ka’Dar Hollman, Jamar Summers, Kahzin Daniels, Jacob Dolegala, Derrek Thomas, Marquis Young, Eric Mayes, Derrick Gore and Chasz Wright – time at Milford Academy, where and what they did after their year with the Falcons and who they are getting their shot in the NFL with. Today’s second part features the remaining six who are now headed to the big league.
Jacob Dolegala, Quarterback
Standing a 6 feet-6 inches and weighing in at 240 pounds, there is no question quarterback Jacob Dolegala is the near-perfect size to be an NFL field general. With his 4.91 second 40-yard dash at his pro day, Dolegala is getting his chance in the professional league with the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, the quarterback’s dream of reaching the NFL was almost dashed when he suffered a labrum tear in his throwing shoulder his senior year of high school.
After the minor setback of surgery to repair the tear, the New York native hailing from Buffalo made the near four-hour trip to Milford to begin the road to his recovery. It was there, with his 143 completed passes and 50 touchdowns through the air, Central Connecticut signed Dolegala to a scholarship.
As the starter of the Blue Devils for all four years, Dolegala amassed 8,129 passing yards with 48 career passing TDs in 44 games. His completion percentage finished at 57.6 percent as he connected with his receivers 654 times out of 1,136 tries, ending his career at Central Connecticut with an 126.5 efficiency rating.
The former Falcon has football ties as his grandfather, Al Bemiller, played for the Bills in the AFL in the 1960s.
Derrek Thomas, Cornerback
A wide receiver in Chaplick’s offense at Milford Academy, Derrek Thomas a key member of the 9-3 2013 Falcons roster. Thomas came away with 15 receptions for 446 years, averaging 29.7 yards per catch, and four touchdowns in the 11 games played with Milford.
From the prep school, the then wide receiver moved on to play with the Temple Owls. In 2016, Thomas moved to the cornerback position and appeared in 27 games. In his time as an Owl, the now defensive standout finished with 35 tackles, one interception and 13 pass deflections.
Two years after making the switch to the other side of the ball, Thomas transferred to Baylor University for his senior year and immediately made an impact for the Bears. In 13 games as a member of the Big 12 conference, the cornerback racked up 21 tackles and one interception.
