When it comes to John Stark VIII's pre-DSFL career, one game stands out from the rest. Stark was the defensive anchor of the Manchester Central High School football team and was on his way to great individual success, but the best the team had done was a state championship loss to hated rival Bedford High School in his junior year. In his final season, Stark was determined to take his team all the way no matter what it took. After an undefeated season and breezing through the playoffs, Central was once again facing Bedford in the state championships. Aware of the moment, Stark gave a pregame speech in the locker room that teammates still fondly remember to this day. A man on a mission, Stark was a force of nature on the football field that day. He tallied twelve tackles, three sacks, and even scored a touchdown off of a punt block, leading Central High School to a 21-7 victory, securing their first state championship in decades.
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