Nick Casso quarterbacked the Langley football team to new offensive heights in 2013.
The Saxons averaged 40.1 points per game, scoring a school-record 481 points in 12 contests. The offensive explosion led to a 9-3 record for Langley and a trip to the second round of the 6A North playoffs. After a 1-2 start, the Saxons won eight games in a row, including a 28-21 postseason victory over Battlefield. The eight-game winning streak started with a 42-21 victory over Chantilly, during which Casso rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns. He also passed for 74 yards.
“The ability to score anytime you need it is a good feeling for a coach,” Langley head coach John Howerton wrote in an email. “No matter if your defense/special teams are strong that night or not, when the opponent can’t stop you, you know you can still win it.”
Casso, a 2014 Langley graduate who also played baseball for the Saxons, will attend The Catholic University of America, where he will play quarterback for the football team. Casso recently participated in a Q and A via email with The Connection.
*Connection: What made The Catholic University of America the right fit for you?
Casso: Besides the social aspect of the school and the many endless opportunities in the city, I chose Catholic for the academic advantages.
*Connection: What is your major?
Casso: Majoring in construction management.
*Connection: At what age did you start playing football? When did you realize playing college football was a possibility for you?
Casso: I started playing football when I was 7 and ever since then I thought college football was for me.
*Connection: What is your favorite memory of playing football at Langley?
Casso: Beating Chantilly at home 42-21!
*Connection: If you could go back and change one thing about your high school athletic career, what would it be?
Casso: I wish I would have tried to play on the basketball team. Never tried out so I never knew whether I could have made the team or not.
*Connection: What are you most looking forward to about the transition from high school to college?
Casso: I am looking forward to the independence of being at school alone and making all your own decisions.
*Connection: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?
Casso: Eminem, because he was doubted so much and had to work so hard to become famous; now he is one of the greatest rap artists ever.
*Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?
Casso: ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ because I used to watch it with my friend so much that we considered joining the Marine Corps.
*Connection: What is your favorite food?
Casso: IN-N-OUT Burger.
*Connection: What is your favorite hobby outside of football?
Casso: Fishing.
*Connection: What location is the farthest you have traveled from the Washington, D.C. metro area?
Casso: The farthest I have gone is probably France.
*Connection: Did you follow the World Cup? If so, for which team(s) did you cheer?
Casso: I don’t follow the World Cup, but I’m always cheering for team USA!