Millville football Q&A: Will Polhamus
With one record already under his belt this year, Millville High School quarterback Will Polhamus has a chance to make this year’s Thanksgiving game against Vineland truly historic.
The senior has amassed 1,258 passing yards on the season, which eclipses the previous mark of 1,229 by Mark Saul set in 1994. With an effective performance on Thursday, Polhamus will replace Saul’s name with his a few more times.
Polhamus needs two more completions (96) to pass Saul’s single-season record of 97. He also needs to be accurate if he wants his completion percentage (61 percent) to stay above Bryan Pfirman’s record set in 2004 (60 percent). Polhamus set the record for most passing yards in a game (287) last season.
However, the records won’t feel the same if Millville doesn’t come out with a win over the Fighting Clan. The Thunderbolts have a six-game winning streak on Thanksgiving and the biggest priority of the day will be to make it seven straight.
Last year’s game, Polhamus’ first start on Thanksgiving, was about as thrilling as it can get. The Thunderbolts rallied from a 28-13 deficit and earned the victory by a score of 44-40. And while the running game was the key of that matchup, Polhamus’ arm will play a huge role in the outcome of Thursday’s matchup.
Polhamus was asked to share his thoughts on the Vineland-Millville rivalry and what breaking the passing record means to him.
VIDEO: Vineland-Millville Football Thanksgiving Rivalry
Question: What does the Vineland-Millville rivalry mean to you?
Answer: That’s the rivalry you listen to and watch growing up as a kid, and then you play in it. Last year was a close game, and you don’t want to repeat it this year. It’s a game that makes you feel like you have a winning season or a losing season. It’s a very important game.
Q: What do you remember about the first time you saw a Vineland-Millville game?
A: The first time was probably my eighth-grade year. It’s an exciting thing because all the fans come out. Everybody comes; you have old and new guys. Everyone cares about it too, no matter what.
Q: What has been your best memory of Millville football so far?
A: I would probably have to say the record. It’s something you can hold on to and be proud of throughout your life. It was just really exciting.
Q: What is the atmosphere like in school during Thanksgiving week?
A: Everybody just comes out to say ‘you better beat Vineland.’ That’s the only game they care about. Even from the first game, people are saying that is the one win they care about the most.
Millville Sideline: Polhamus healthy again for Bolts
Q: What is Thanksgiving morning like for you?
A: It’s exciting. You wake up early, which is kind of rough sometimes, but you start moving, and you start getting more excited as you wake up. Especially for us (seniors). This is the last game. Sometimes you get jitters and sometimes you don’t, but it’s very exciting.
Q: What’s your No. 1 concern heading into the game?
A: I would just say that I want to try not to turn over the ball. We want to go out there and score on every possession.
Q: What advice would you give young players who are coming up in the Millville program?
A: I would just say that for this game, you have got to play with everything you got. When you’re a senior, you’re going to want the younger kids to play and help you out to get a win.
Q: What are your thoughts about breaking the passing record?
A: It was exciting because I didn’t know exactly where I was. I knew I was getting close, and then they told me. At first, you’re like, ‘Wow, I did that. That’s me.’ I just got excited. and it’s a great feeling to know that you have a Millville record and you’re a part of Millville history now. You kind of almost don’t believe it.
Q: What has your senior season meant to you?
A: It started off rough, and that’s normal with a whole new coaching staff. But as the season went on, things have been a lot better. It’s been one to remember, and it’s something I’m never going to forget ever. It was great.
Matt Silva: (856) 563-5322; msilva@gannettnj.com