Living up to a legacy
Warren JFK LB Hoso following in family’s footsteps
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Ambrose Hoso fully understands the expectations and the lofty goals which are thrust upon anyone who dons a Warren John F. Kennedy football jersey.
At JFK, "Blue Pride" isn't just a pep rally battlecry, it's a way of life for the entire Kennedy community. "Playing for the K" isn't just coach-speak. It's an inherent understanding that you play for your teammates, your family and for the hundreds of former Kennedy players and coaches who laid the foundation for success.
Kennedy's all-time resume includes 26 playoff appearances, nine regional titles, six appearances in the state finals and a pair of state championships.
In that regard, Hoso and all of his teammates have inherited a set of standards and high expectations which can prove daunting even for the best of the best.
Hoso handles the pressures of wearing a Kennedy uniform as though he has done it his entire life, according to Eagles coach Dom Prologo.
"The way Ambrose handles himself on and off the field is admirable," Prologo said. "He's a throwback. I always say that he's the type of player that could have played in the 50s, 60s, 70s. He would have fit in with any era of football.
"He's been the cornerstone of our defense for three years, he's led the team in tackles. More importantly, he's a leader. And he leads by example. He is quiet and humble, but his work ethic, his actions, his determination all speak volumes."
The truth is, Hoso has been wearing a Kennedy uniform for nearly his entire life. There's pictures of him as far back as 2010, sitting next to his grandfather while dressed as a Kennedy football player on Halloween. He was a ball boy for the team long before his high school days. Even as a youngster, he sat next to the Kennedy coach and watched and learned about football on Sunday afternoons.
You might say that Hoso truly inherited Blue Pride.
That Halloween picture? The man seated next to Hoso - his grandfather - is the grandfather of JFK football, Tony Napolet.
Hoso's mother, Natalie, is Napolet's daughter.
Napolet, who passed away in 2015, was the Eagles' coach from 1970 to 1972 and again from 1991 to 2010. He led the Eagles to a state championship in 1991, and state final appearances in 1992 and 2006. He finished with a career record of 204-104-3, including 12 playoff appearances. He is a member of the Warren Sports Hall of Fame and the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
"Some of my earliest memories involve football with me and my grandfather," Hoso said. "Watching the Steelers on Sundays. Going to practices with him during the summer. Going to games. Him coming to watch me, my brother and my sister in whatever we were doing."
"Even when he was sick, he would sit in the car and watch me play flag football. His determination to fight through everything to be close to us really stands out."
Still, living in the shadows of the man whose name is synonymous with the JFK football program must be a bit intimidating at times? After all, the reminders are ever-present. Hoso and his teammates practice daily on Tony Napolet Field.
"I'm not going to lie, trying to carry on that legacy can be tough at times, but that can be said for everyone on this team," Hoso said. "There is such a great tradition with this program. I think everyone feels responsible to keep that tradition alive.
"Actually, sometimes when I am facing adversity I look at that (Tony Napolet Field) sign and I feel encouraged to move forward."
While so many of Hoso's memories with his grandfather revolve around football, Hoso said that a lasting impression for him is the way the community reacted to his grandfather's death. Even today, Hoso continues to hear stories about Napolet - many which have nothing to do with football.
"Back then he was my grandfather, I loved being with him but I was too young to notice the impact he had on others," Hoso said. "Then when he passed away there were so many stories about his kindness, the love and respect he had for others.
"Even today I always hear about how he would do anything for anyone. People tell me that he was a great coach and an even greater person and that means a lot."
Frank Tempesta played for Napolet in the late 1990s. Today he works with the JFK staff as a strength and conditioning coach.
Tempesta says you don't have to look far to find similarities between Napolet and Hoso.
"There's just a lot of personality traits which are so very similar," Tempesta said. "Ambrose shies away from the limelight. He's very unassuming, very even-keeled. You look at him off the field and you say there's no way he plays the way he does. But he gets on that field and he's the best defender out there. You need a play and he makes it.
"Ambrose plays like Nappy coached. And he's the epitome of the term student-athlete. Nappy preached faith, family and football and you see that in Ambrose. He's the blueprint of what Nappy was all about."
In addition to playing linebacker, Hoso starts at fullback and plays on special teams. His desire to never leave the field and his no-nonsense approach to the game is a Napolet trademark, according to Prologo.
"Ambrose is pretty much everything that Coach Napolet envisioned his players to be," Prologo said. "It's almost like Ambrose sits at home today with his grandpa and watches game film. It's evident that Coach Napolet had a huge impact on Ambrose even at a very young age."
JFK (6-1) has already clinched a playoff spot and the top-seed in Division VII, Region 25. The Eagles are in line to host a pair of postseason games.
Hoso hopes to follow in his grandfather's footsteps by winning a state championship with the Eagles.
"It's always the goal at Kennedy," Hoso said. "We feel like we have what it takes to achieve our goal. We know we have the coaches that can lead us there. It's going to take a ton of work and determination."
Hoso plans on attending college next year while focusing on a career in engineering. His athletic future remains up in the air, as is the possibility of following in grandpa's footsteps as a coach.
"I don't know about that, I coached my brother's flag football team and we weren't that good," Hoso said with a laugh.
Whatever path he chooses, Hoso will do so with his grandfather in mind.
"When he was with us he was always so proud of whatever me and my brother and sister did," Hoso said. "I want him to be proud of me today."