McCuskey was a second-team all-metro pick as a running back and a Mr. Football finalist. He’s also a captain and leading returning scorer for the hockey team.

 

Q: After losing to Becker in the section finals, was it tough to watch the Bulldogs win a Class 4A state title?

A: I felt a sense of inner peace, knowing that we lost to a team worthy of being the best in the state.

 

Q: What is your lasting memory of that Becker game?

A: Watching everyone work together to push their bigger kids around.

 

Q: What is your impression of your new hockey coach, ex-NHLer Mark Parrish?

A: He is an extremely passionate guy. You can tell he has a love for the game and total knowledge of every aspect. He’s one energetic dude.

 

Q: Your reaction when you heard he was the new coach?

A: Pretty stoked. We were lucky enough to have him help us out late last season, so we were familiar with him.

 

Q: Favorite sport, football or hockey?

A: That’s always difficult. Right now, I’m still kind of in football mode. It’s probably time to transition to total hockey mode.

 

Q: Talk about your Special Olympics connection with your football teammates.

A: Hank Seward and I and Riley Veith and Jeb Banavige got to coach Unified Special Olympics football. A bunch of kids with special needs get together and play flag football games and go to a state tournament. Orono was the only school with student coaches. It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.

JIM PAULSEN