Eagles’ unknown defensive standout

The Vermilion Catholic Eagles have a player on the team that plays both basketball and football, and you may not know him, but you will. Soon.

William Noegel doesn’t start in either football or basketball, but his defense prowess is what drives him forward.

For being only a sophomore, Noegel got a lot of playing time on the football field, and is part of the main rotation on the basketball court.

It’s his hard work and determination that got him all of his minutes according to his coach.

“William is a tough guy that brings physical aspects to whatever game he is playing,” Eagles Head Coach Roch Charpentier said. “That’s what we love about him in both basketball and football. We have him on our teams for a couple of more years, and William
is just one of those hard-nosed players on the football field and the basketball court. You need a couple of those kids to be successful in any sport.”

The love of sports for Noegel is one that has been in his family for generations.

“My family is just a big sports family,” Noegel said. “My dad is a big time football guy, and I have always loved the game, so that’s why I chose to play football. My mom and uncles all played basketball, so I got into that as well.”

Even though Noegel would choose football over basketball, he still loves the game.

“My passion is for football,” Noegel said. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t love basketball. I love playing basketball and football. It’s just if I had to pick one I would go with football.”

Football is probably where Noegel excels.

He filled in for the highly decorated Shay Laporte, when Laporte missed a few games due to injury.

When Noegel was called to step up he did just that without missing a beat.

The defense didn’t miss a beat either.

Defense is the name of the game for Noegel on the basketball court too.

“I’m not too great on the offensive side of the ball,” Noegel said. “The defensive side of the ball is where I’m most comfortable. Blocking shots and getting rebounds is what I’m best at.”

As mentioned before, Noegel is only a sophomore and even though you may not know exactly who he is now, you should get to know his name and his game.

If you start to get to know it now, it won’t be a shock to you when everyone is talking about him and his defensive game next season on both the field and the court.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor