Montell Lindgren is a dual threat at Duchess Park.
Not only has the 16 year old led the Condors' football team to a 5-0 record in the B.C. High School Football League playing multiple positions, but Lindgren suits up for the school's basketball team in the winter.
Mike Rositano, coach of the football Condors, said he was impressed with the six-foot receiver, safety and special teams player since Lindgren cracked the varsity starting lineup in Grade 9.
"He's been a leader since he stepped on the field," said Rositano. "He's been through a rough time when we won one game. [Lindgren is] a leader on and off the field for the kids, he's rallied them to be there at practices and to be there at the games to lift them."
For his part, Lingren said, after only notching one win in Grade 9, combined with last season's heartbreaking playoff loss to the PGSS Polars, it's nice being on the other side.
"This year's so much fun, beating our rivals," said Lindgren. "Every team we beat this year pretty much beat us two years ago, or last year, so beating them this year is just so much better."
Lindgren said his confident demeanor helps when it comes time to get others to listen.
"I have the cockiness, the attitude," he said. "I just try to go out there and do my thing, and I do. When they see that they all get pumped up and motivated.
"They see me as a leader so all I have to do is say what I can say," added Lindgren. "It's real easy."
Lindgren leads the Condors with 421 receiving yards on 30 catches, including five touchdowns, while picking up 19 tackles and two interceptions on defence.
Despite his passion for football, it's not the only sport Lindgren excels at.
"I haven't really taken football that serious," said Lindgren. "I haven't gone to any camps. I got a letter last year that [Western Canada football] was just noticing me, but everything has been towards basketball."
He's dribbled down the court with Team BC and has already received a scholarship offer from UNBC in
basketball.
"I have the natural ability for it," said Lindgren. "I play point guard, so I lead the team."
Lindgren has also played soccer since Grade 5, but doesn't expect any post-secondary schools to offer him a scholarship.
"I don't really have the touch for it," he said. "I played for fun this year just to be with my friends before they graduate."
The Condors' workhorse said he'd like to receive a few more scholarship offers to give him more options about his future.
"Basketball is where the scholarships are coming in, if football came in it would be a big opportunity and I would look towards it, but right now, it's basketball," said Lindgren.
These days Lindgren's mind is on football and keeping the Condors unbeaten. Tonight DPSS takes to the field at Masich Place Stadium to play their Northern AA Conference rival, the Nechako Valley Vikings (4-1) from Vanderhoof.
In the first meeting between the top two teams in the north, the Condors shut down the Vikings 13-0.
Rositano said, after the struggles of the last two seasons, Lindgren and the rest of the veteran Condors have earned their place on top.
"They've worked really hard all season long," said Rositano. "We've got a good group of kids, very coachable."
Kickoff for the Condors and Vikings is 7 p.m.
