Like fathers, like sons

For two families, school football tradition spans generations

Rocky Nelson occasionally brings it up after practices, reminding Justin Flores of how his father, Oscar, used to play. Bill Maver sometimes shines a spotlight on it during a team meeting, letting it sink into Trevor Jeanson's head that he certainly isn't the first Jeanson to play for him.

Both mentors are, of course, joking. But wearing the same uniform and following in the footsteps of fathers or older brothers on the football field is a serious motivator.

In fact, Jeanson, Flores, and other area footballers do not take lightly the task of carrying on a gridiron legacy each time they take the field.

"Oh yeah, there's definitely pressure," said Jeanson. "They were all really good players and you know you're expected to go out there and live up to their name. Coach brings it up in meetings or on the field sometimes, but he's joking and tells me, 'You're Trevor. Play like Trevor.' I have to remind myself that too."

Jeanson's shoulders will be especially heavy this fall as the 17-year-old Acton-Boxborough senior carries the pressure of being the fourth and final Jeanson brother to be a Colonial. His three older brothers, Mickey, Aaron, and Barry all played under current A-B head coach Maver, while his father, Mike Jeanson, played in 1967 and 1968.

Jeanson is well aware rival towns are familiar with his siblings' accomplishments and expect the same from him as a starting running back and defensive back. For his part, though, Flores takes it upon himself to make comparisons.

"I look through his old scrapbooks a lot," Flores said of his father. "I really felt the pressure my freshman year, but last year was moved to special teams and that made it easier. He was a linebacker and I'm on special teams, so I thought I could finally step out of his shadow in that position."

Flores recently learned he would play running back, defensive back, and, occasionally, quarterback for Woburn High. His father, Oscar, played for Tanners head coach Nelson in the '90s and took part in the first Carroll Classic.

Oscar will be at every game and every practice, sitting in the same place - right, upper bleachers - for every snap. So will the four Jeansons be there every Friday, cheering on Trevor as he tries to power the Colonials to a Dual County Large title after a 9-2 season last fall.

Another area player, Tony Travaglini of Pelham, N.H., has a slightly different perspective.

"My older brother graduated last June and now I feel like it's only me, so I have to show that I can do it without him," said Travaglini. "There was definitely a lot of pressure last year, it was rough at first. Now, his name is a little more forgotten so I can try to become my own player."

The 5-foot-11 junior is set to open the season on the Bishop Guertin varsity squad as a starting nose guard. As a freshman, he received quite a few snaps when his brother, Steve, was a two-way starter as a senior defensive tackle and running back.

Steve begins his sophomore year playing at Assumption College, but will make the trip home on Fridays to watch his younger brother try to help lead the Cardinals to another appearance in the New Hampshire Division 2 final.

Jeanson, like Travaglini, looks to follow in his older brothers' path and play college football; Aaron Jeanson played at Saint Anselm College, while Barry graduated from Northeastern in May.

Flores's father went on to play for the Eastern Mass Mavericks, a semipro team in the New England Football League.

"Oh yeah, other towns know there's always another Jeanson coming up," said Jeanson. "It's an honor to be able to put on the same uniform as my brothers and my dad and step on the field. I fell into being a running back when I was young, but didn't realize that we'd all played the same position until high school. That's very cool."

Jeanson, at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, even shares the same number, 34, as Barry, while Mickey and Aaron both wore number 44.

Colonials coach Maver said familiarity - from the string of four Jeansons - made his job easier.

"Yes, it gets to a point where the younger ones know exactly what is expected and what our coaching staff stands for," said Maver. "I knew what type of work ethic I was getting with the Jeansons. I knew that the boys had been around the sport their whole lives and they knew what it took to be a successful football player."

Nelson agreed.

"It was a pleasure coaching his father and it's a pleasure coaching Justin," said Nelson. "Oscar knows the way our program operates and what it expects of its players. I think it does help to have someone who can mentor you through who's been through it firsthand."

For Travaglini, Jeanson, and Flores, the pride of wearing their school colors holds a unique meaning each week. For their predecessors, it's the same.

"Every time he comes out in that orange-and-black, I get a little choked up. Every time," said Oscar Flores. "It means a lot. Woburn football was a big part of my life and now seeing my son there is very special. My wife [Kristen] comes to some games, but I usually don't sit with her because I don't want her to see my real expression. I don't want her to see how my heart is in my throat."