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Millis/Medway - Local Town Pages

Medway QB Frauton Is Special In So Many Ways

Luke Frauton is a three-sport athlete who also is a National Honor Society student. Frauton likes to throw but he can also run effectively as Medway’s quarterback.

By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer

Luke Frauton will be starting his second season as Medway High’s quarterback next month and, although the Mustangs are a young football team, they’ll have a dynamic captain competing at a key position.
The 18-year-old Frauton is special. Very special.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder is a three-sport athlete, a rare commodity in today’s  athletic culture that seems to focus on specialization. He’s also a captain in baseball and very likely could be named a captain in hockey when the winter season arrives. 
The positions Frauton plays in each sport are not only high profile, but also high-pressure posts. He’s a quarterback/cornerback in football, a center in hockey and a pitcher/centerfielder in baseball. 
A Tri Valley League honorable-mention all-star in baseball, Frauton also has all-star credentials in the classroom. 
On the academic side, Frauton is top-notch — a National Honor Society student with a 4.04 GPA. Considering business administration as a major, some of the colleges he’s mulling include Tufts, Babson, Worcester Polytech, and Rensselaer Polytech.
Another attribute that makes him special is his commitment to all three sports during the summer. His schedule includes summer league play in hockey; AAU baseball; and football training that includes 7-on-7 passing drills and strength and conditioning workouts. It’s not unusual when a student-athlete uses a summer break to sharpen his ability in one or two sports. But to compete in three sports during summertime is rare indeed. 
Although baseball stats like a 3-2 record, a 2.04 E.R.A. and 47 strikeouts in 30 innings helped Frauton become a TVL all-star, his football numbers as a junior last year were also impressive. A left-hander, he threw for 1,256 yards, passed for 15 touchdowns, and completed 60 percent of his passes. He rushed for 417 yards and ran for six TDs.
Frauton, however, isn’t about compiling statistics — he’s a team-first competitor whose goals in football are aimed at helping younger players sharpen their skills and for the Mustangs to succeed.
“My team goals are to win the TVL Small Division, qualify for the playoffs and go as deep as possible,’’ Frauton noted. “We’re a young team so it’s imperative to help underclassmen learn quickly and get up to speed. 
“As for personal goals, I want be the best leader I can be and also become a role model for younger kids. As a freshman, I looked up to Drew Plunkett, a QB who’s now at WPI. Another goal is to increase my completion percentage. A higher percentage means more first downs and more first downs lead to touchdowns.’’
Medway coach Anthony Mazzola is effusive in his praise of Frauton, who last year helped the Mustangs go 7-4 and split a pair of playoff games.
“As a QB, Luke is a great athlete who’s only been playing football since high school,’’ Mazzola said. “He possesses great instincts, has a good arm, and can beat you with his legs. He manages a game very well and is an extension of the coaching staff on the field. He’s not Drew Plunkett, but he has a lot of the same qualities to his game and character.’’
Other strengths that Frauton displays are a football IQ that’s still developing, speed, quickness, and mental toughness. 
“Mental toughness helps to overcome adversity,’’ said Frauton. “It enables me to ignore the noise during a game and provides a sense of resilience that helps me to bounce back. Football is more mental than physical.’’
A signal-caller who likes to throw but can also run effectively, Frauton prefers short quick passes but he’s capable of throwing deep and being accurate.
“I’d rate Norton and Dover-Sherborn as the teams we’ll have to beat to win the TVL Small Division,’’ he said. “Dover-Sherborn is the defending champion but Norton appears to have another quality team.’’
As a captain, Frauton says he’ll strive to lead by example but he also will be vocal in a positive way. “I’ll communicate with the players and be supportive, too,’’ he emphasized.
A native of Shirley, Frauton and his family moved to Medway when he was in second grade. When it comes to ranking his best game and most memorable gridiron thrill, they’re all about team-first efforts. ers and be supportive, too,’’ he emphasized.
A native of Shirley, Frauton and his family moved to Medway when he was in second grade. When it comes to ranking his best game and most memorable gridiron thrill, they’re all about team-first efforts.
“Beating Bellingham in the playoff opener last year was exciting,’’ he said. “Everyone contributed and worked hard. It helped us advance to play St. Mary’s of Lynn who beat us. The playoffs, however, helped our younger players gain valuable experience. My top thrill was the Holliston game. We lost, 35-34, but showed that, as underdogs, we could compete with a strong program. It showed we could play well against anyone.’’
Frauton is upbeat on his coach and two teammates, giving all three high marks.
“Coach Mazzola is very composed,’’ Frauton offered. “That composure rubs off on the players and keeps us focused. “He’s also a good motivator and strategist. Two teammates who’ll help us this season are seniors — wide receiver Will Haddigan and linebacker Michael McNeil. Will has good hands and lots of potential to be our top receiver. Michael will be bouncing back from an ACL injury. He’s a hard-worker who’s our leader on defense.’’
Calling his parents (Adam and Kristyn) role models for their support and encouragement, Frauton’s athletic philosophy is a combination of winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun. “You have to enjoy playing sports, and when that occurs, winning and reaching your potential will come naturally,’’ he said. “And some life lessons I’ve learned from sports include how to be a good leader, overcoming adversity, being mentally tough, and knowing how to overcome failure.’’
The oldest of five children, Frauton no doubt will be a key cog in Medway’s season that gets underway on Sept. 9 at Medfield.
Mazzola is acutely aware of how valuable his quarterback is.