By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

To be considered a phenomenal, top-notch football player, one would have to be a breed apart and check a plethora of boxes.

King Philip’s Will Bubluski isn’t perfect by any means but on a scale of 1-10, he’s flirting with double digits.

 

The day after the Warriors won last year’s Division 2 Super Bowl, 42-14, over Marshfield speaks volumes about Bubluski’s work ethic. “There’s a steep hill near my house in Norfolk,’’ he said, “and I ran up and down that hill for 30 minutes. My neighbors were curious why I wasn’t relaxing after such a great Super Bowl victory.’’

Consider these other attributes:

• The 6-foot, 205-pound Bubluski is a three-year starter who plays multiple positions — strong safety, outside linebacker, tight end and fullback.

• *A captain, Bubluski leads by example but strives to be supportive and inspiring, especially with underclassmen.

*When the pressure was on for KP to snap a two-game, Super Bowl losing streak in last year’s appearance at Gillette Stadium, Bubluski rose to the occasion. Playing outside linebacker, he made six tackles, four of which were unassisted, and had one sack. One of his tackles came on special teams when he pursued a Marshfield kickoff returner, preventing a late-game touchdown.

• A National Honor Society student, Bubluski yearns to be an airline pilot. He might major in aviation in college but he’s also mulling a business management major, perhaps at Bryant or Bentley.

• ubluski isn’t afraid to set lofty team goals. “My prime objective this season is to return to Gillette Stadium for another Super Bowl appearance,’’ he said. “I also want us to win the Kelly-Rex Division title and also to improve every day by at least one percent.’’ His goals are all in sight. At Local Town Pages deadline, KP was 5-0 and he had 17 tackles, 5 of which were for losses, and one interception.

• A native of St. Petersburg (Russia), Bubluski has a variety of key attributes that are essential for success. His coach, Brian Lee, says Bubluski is “a workout animal.’’ Lee likes “his instinctive ability, his high football IQ, his skills, and his speed, strength and quickness.’’

• Football can teach players valuable life lessons and Bubluski certainly has learned his share. “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity and to be resilient,’’ he noted. “I’ve also learned how to be an effective leader and teammate and to be accountable. And, I know that hard work creates luck.’’

Lee also admires Bubluski’s all-out commitment and his penchant to work out.

“Will is such a pleasure to coach,’’ Lee said. “He has the attribute all coaches look for — accountability. He never misses a team workout and once there he’s the hardest worker, making sure to follow the workout precisely, never skipping a set or even a rep. As a result, he added so much muscle mass we moved him from safety to outside linebacker. He’s remained at linebacker but also gets time at tight end and fullback. His work ethic on and off the field is contagious. He inspires his teammates to maximize their potential the way he has. Every practice Will goes 100 percent and is hard to slow down. He’s a good student and always represents his family, KP, and the football program with class.’’  

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Brian and Jennifer Bubluski visited Russia several times to adopt Will at the age of four. An older brother (Andre), also from Russia, is adopted.

The younger Bubluski watched football on TV often and fell in love with the sport. At age six, he was playing Pop Warner football.

“When I played on KP’s freshman team, I was a strong safety,’’ Bubluski recalled. “I started at safety as a sophomore, then was moved to outside linebacker as a junior but also got some time at fullback. This season I’ve competed at linebacker and tight end.’’

Bubluski, who relies on being aggressive and instinctive, prefers playing linebacker. “It’s a read-and-react role and I like the pursuit involved,’’ he said. “There’s lots of blitzing and lateral pursuit is important. It’s challenging, especially when assessing an opponent’s run-pass option. Being instinctive is the key to playing linebacker.’’

As the Warriors prepare for their playoff opponents, Bubluski is confident that his No. 1 team goal — a Super Bowl return engagement — will be fulfilled.

“We’ve got the talent and the mindset to achieve that goal,’’ he emphasized. “What’s needed is for everyone to be on the same page, to embrace the objective and the journey, to maintain good health and keep our skills sharp. No one should take their foot off the gas.’’

Bubluski’s personal goals include becoming a Hockomock League all-star selection, an inspiring captain, and compile a high rank on KP’s defensive productivity chart by increasing his tackles, interceptions and sacks. “Being chosen a captain is my top thrill in football,’’ he said. “It’s a tribute to my work ethic and it shows that my teammates, who vote for captain, respect me.’’

Bubluski is quick to acknowledge teammates who go the extra mile and contribute to KP’s success. And, it’s not surprising he lists the Warriors’ other captains — seniors Aiden Astorino (linebacker/running back), Luke Gunning (tight end/defensive end), and Tommy Kilroy (safety/receiver).

“They’re quality leaders who work hard and have passion for the game,’’ he offered. “They’re also excellent in their roles and all of them have a high football IQ.’’

Bubluski also has high praise for his coach. “It’s great to have a coach who’s a great motivator,’’ he emphasized. “Coach Lee is inspiring, everyone works hard for him and he employs terrific strategy. He truly cares about his players.’’

Relying on a competitive philosophy that focuses on winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun, Bubluski says “if you’re not winning, then there’s no fun.’’

Lee labels him as “a workout animal’’ and it’s obvious that Bubluski embraces that phrase. 

“Tough workouts build confidence and self-esteem,’’ he said. “They also sharpen one’s mental ability, get you prepared for games and help you to deal with adversity.’’

Will Bubluski is indeed a rare breed football player. And there’s no doubt that he’ll be a key cog in KP’s drive to win its second consecutive Super Bowl championship.