Like a pulsating metronome in his head, Jonathan Bugli could feel his illustrious football career coming to a close.

Tick. Tick.

The former Newburyport High stalwart and his Villanova teammates were one win away from capturing the national championship. But win or lose, the game was potentially his last suiting up in pads, the final act in a sport that he had spilled blood, sweat, and tears on for nearly a decade.

“It was a journey I started years ago,’’ said the Wildcats’ 6-foot-5 senior right tackle. “Even if someone had told me a 235-pound college freshman would become a 305-pound starter on a national championship team, I would have laughed at you.’’

But there he was at game’s end last Friday night, the game clock all zeroes, the scoreboard reflecting Villanova’s 23-21 win over previously unbeaten Montana, in front of 14,328 raucous fans at Finley Stadium at Chattanooga, Tenn. And then, Bugli and the rest of the Wildcats could hoist the Football Championship Subdivision plaque into the air.

Mission accomplished.

“I went through the whole spectrum of emotions,’’ said Bugli. “From being on Cloud 9 to starting to break down crying because it was the last time I could play football. But it’s more sweet than bittersweet.’’

At that point, Bugli reflected back on the journey.

Many thought he would have to vastly overachieve to land at Villanova. But he earned a starting role, and then developed into a vital cog on a title-winning team. It was dedication, along with making the right choices at forks in the road that elevated a recruited walk-on to the top.

“Early on he had a lot to do to improve himself,’’ said Ed Gaudiano, his coach at Newburyport High. “I was pushing Bryant [University]; they wanted him real bad. But Jonathan kept his eye on the prize. To his credit, he kept at it and willed his way onto the field.’’

A turning point came in his junior year at Newburyport, when Bugli began to grow into a physically imposing force. His body was that of a dominating offensive guard, but his mentality needed a push in the right direction. Gaudiano drilled into Bugli’s head how to be a tough, hard-nosed football player.

The results were almost immediate. Bugli was named a team captain in 2004 and by season’s end, he was a first team Cape Ann League all-star and named the league’s Lineman of the Year. After the team’s 1-9 finish in 2003, the burly lineman made it a goal to go out in style - just like he would do in college - and win the Cape Ann League Small Division’s crown. With a Thanksgiving game against Amesbury their final obstacle, Bugli and his Newburyport Clippers beat their rivals. Mission accomplished.

“The support [Newburyport] has given means the world to me,’’ said Bugli, whom Gaudiano calls a great inspiration and a help with the current crop of Clippers. “If this is giving back, it’s the very least I could do.’’

Much like his childhood NFL hero Jerry Rice, Bugli says he is humbled by his achievements and is quick to deflect praise to others. Talk about how he rotated all around the offensive line due to injuries, manning every position but center, for an offense that set school records in rushing yards and total offense, and he will just go on about his talented backs and tight-knit group of linemen who pave the way.

His father, Paul, was an offensive lineman at Villanova in the ‘70s, playing with fellow Bay State native Howie Long (Charlestown/Milford High). His brother, Christopher, was a lineman at Colonial Athletic Associative rival New Hampshire earlier this decade.

He is thankful for his bloodlines, but he also gives a great deal of credit to Villanova strength and conditioning coach Justus Galac, who echoes what everyone close to him says.

“I wish it was just genetics, but it was really hard for him to put that weight on,’’ said Galac. “Really it’s just his dedication to what he wanted to be.’’

Next in line is proving more people wrong, as he sets his sights on the NFL. The smart money would not bet against anything Bugli has set his mind on. But for now, he will take a small break and enjoy what his hard work has brought him.

“You couldn’t write a better story to close this chapter of my life.’’