Mason Quinn (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — When thinking of the perfect way to describe Saranac Lake high school sophomore Mason Quinn, his junior varsity football coach, Austin Ecret, immediately had an answer.

“Hardworking is the best word,” Ecret said. “He doesn’t let anything slide. He plays to the whistle all the time. His work ethic is unmatched compared to the kids on the team. He’s a leader, and he’s the coach’s dream.”

Quinn was nominated for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award on Monday. The award, which is presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants, seeks to find and highlight high school football players, mascots, team managers and flag football players from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who have all been nominated for the award by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

There are currently 20 student-athletes nominated who are up for a grand prize vote, but to the Saranac Lake football staff, Quinn is well deserving of the title. The voting period is currently open and will close on Oct. 19 at 11:59 p.m. To vote, visit tinyurl.com/422svey5.

Quinn has loved football ever since he was a little kid, according to his bio on the USA Football website, whether he was watching games or playing with friends.

“When I was 6 years old, I joined my first team, and the sport quickly became a huge part of my life,” he said in a statement. “Ever since then, football has shaped who I am, both as an athlete and as a person.”

On the field, as a fullback on offense and a linebacker on defense, Quinn is “tougher than nails.”

“When you look at him, you don’t see a middle linebacker, because he’s a bit of a scrawny kid,” Ecret said. “But he plays the game downhill, plays it fast and he is tough … he’s as tough as it gets.”

But Quinn has faced many challenges in his life, including growing up in a single-parent household as his father left when he was young.

“At times, I felt like the odds were stacked against me, but football gave me confidence and purpose,” he said in a statement. “On the field, it didn’t matter where I came from — what mattered was my effort and heart. With every compliment from a coach or encouragement from a teammate, I grew stronger. Football transformed me from a boy unsure of his future into a young man who knows he can overcome anything through hard work and determination.”

Ecret said Quinn has a great mother and stepfather, who has even been teaching him to weld recently.

“Which makes me proud because I know it’s setting me up for a bright and successful future,” he stated. “Balancing sports and new skills has taught me responsibility and determination.”

Even though Quinn is now a strong leader for his team, he wasn’t always the most confident, according to Ecret.

“(There were times were) he didn’t think he could be the player he could be,” Ecret said. “He actually took to my assistant coach really well, as they played the same positions in high school and he kind of took him under his wing to start the year. Then all of a sudden, Mason got the confidence and that was what he needed.”

This season, Quinn was named one of just two captains on the Red Storm’s JV football team, which includes 21 players on its roster. While Ecret said he’s not the loudest kid on the team, he leads by example.

“When no one is looking, he’s doing the right thing,” Ecret said. “It’s always about his play and his work ethic.”

Quinn has always been told that he was born to be a leader, according to his bio, and he enjoys helping and encouraging others whenever he can.

“Even as a child, I would look for people who needed help and insist on carrying their groceries to their car,” he said. “That spirit hasn’t changed, because I still believe in making someone’s day easier through kindness. For me, courage means stepping up for others, even in small ways, and being the person who brings positivity to every situation.”

Ecret, who graduated from Saranac Lake in 2014, said that as a young head coach, it means everything to have a player and leader like Quinn on his team.

“Without a kid like Mason, sometimes the coaches would have to do all the leadership, and it’s real hard to try to get the players to do something all the time,” he said. “But when you have a kid like Mason, he holds everyone to his own standards and to his work ethic. He’s very important to this team.”

Quinn is one of 20 people up for a vote, and only the third Red Storm player in recent years to be nominated for this — Zane Ragsdale last season and Rione Symonds in 2021. Those interested in voting can do so once every 24 hours.

The nominee with the most votes will be named that week’s finalist. At the conclusion of the six-week process, there will be a total of 11 honorees (six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions) recognized for their work ethic and character.

Each finalist will receive $1,000 grant for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $9,000 equipment grant. The grand prize winner and his coach will be honored on the field at a future New York Giants game this season.