By Matt Hylen

Xaverian Brothers High School quarterback Will Wood is a three-star prospect from Natick who has made some major waves in his football journey. Keeping the values at heart given by his family, Wood is the kind of person, player, and quarterback any coach would want as their leader.

For Wood, football began as a passion that grew alongside his father. “I started playing in second grade in Natick. I always loved to watch the sport with my dad and wanted to play the game myself,” Wood said.

This passion grew into an obsession for Wood, who realized his potential at an early age. “I think during COVID, once I really started to grow and get bigger around seventh and eighth grade, was when I realized I could really go for it and go far if I started to take it seriously,” Wood said.

Wood was not shy to acknowledge everyone who had helped him along the way in his football journey. It often takes a village to achieve a goal, which Wood made sure to emphasize.

“My mom, dad, and brother have been a huge support system for me, which has helped a lot in my football journey,” Wood explained “And of course, people I have encountered along the way: Mike McCarthy, Alex McLaughlin, James Cahoon, and then my coaches, like Coach Al Fernaro and Coaches Bill and James Carvin. I’ve been extremely lucky.”

Wood has also had the incredible opportunity to work with NFL-level talent quarterbacks such as Matt Hasselbeck and Brian Hoyer. “I think I was able to gain a deeper level of understanding of the game working with them,” Wood detailed. “It really helped me work on the mental side of being a quarterback, being a leader, understanding defenses and all the X’s and O’s, as well as how to deal with the pressure of being a quarterback of a high-level program.”

This year, as a junior, Wood helped lead Xaverian to a third straight D-1 title, marking them the first Division 1team to accomplish this feat. 

Wood was automatic at the helm, completing 11 of 16 pass attempts for 345 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 43 yards on the ground on 13 attempts.

“We knew coming into the year that we had enough talent to do it,” Will said. “But we knew we couldn’t look ahead. We started the season out 2-0 but hit a cold spell after we lost two in a row, so we knew there had to be a shift in how we approached things. We went on a nine-game win streak after that.”

Wood humbly acknowledged the history he and his team were able to make together. “It was the best feeling in the world being able to defeat St. John’s Prep and win the [Division 1] Super Bowl.”

Even with all the success Wood has earned over his football journey, his hometown of Natick has always held a special place in his heart.

“The entire Natick community has had a huge impact on me and my football journey,” Wood noted. “It is where everything really started for me, where I started playing. It’s where I learned all the fundamentals and the place I grew to really love the game. I’ve interacted with so many good people and made so many great friends and lifelong bonds that I won’t ever forget. I am very grateful for the Natick community and the Natick Football community for everything they have done for me.”

The bet Wood has placed on himself has paid off tremendously, with eleven D-1 offers already on the table for Wood to consider. “It was always a goal of mine to play at the next level, wherever I fit,” he explained “I think it’s helped me realize that as long as I work hard, I can achieve it.”

With the season officially over, Wood’s main focus has shifted to recruiting. “I will be deciding where I’m going within the next four months, I’d say,” he declared. 

Whatever school he chooses will be getting a championship-caliber quarterback with deep roots and even deeper character.