By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
The moments we collectively remember are the chunk plays, whether they developed from scrimmage or in the return game, that produced a deluge of sound that became so common during Eastridge High School football games.
Nate Corbett only needed one freeing block, one spin move to leave the defense behind and cruise, often untouched, to the end zone. He was also a defensive ballhawk, jumping routes to pull down errant passes and leave the opposition on the door of the red zone. He took punts to the house even when he couldn’t cleanly corral them, quickly turning a muff into a clip on a highlight tape that has been viewed over a thousand times in the last week.
Nate was that quick, that athletic, that elusive. What he lacked in height or size, he made up for in instincts and field vision. An integral part of Eastridge’s 2012 Section V championship team, his career statistics include five receiving touchdowns, six rushing scores and four special teams plays to the house, according to Maxpreps. He totaled 1,845 all purpose yards.
“I’m Nate Corbett,” he told opponents as they exchanged trash talk. “Google me.”
Nate, a classmate, teammate and friend who also played basketball and baseball, died last week at age 26.
“Hated losing more than he liked winning,” recalled Tyler Kirton, one of Nate’s best friends. “Of course always talking smack on the way is what got him going even more, helping him turn up his skills another notch and helped him become a Section V champ.”
The Lancers didn’t lose often on the gridiron, compiling a 21-6 record from 2010-12. They didn’t just win, they tended to overwhelm teams; Eastridge outscored its opponents 402-177 in 2012, running away with a 47-7 sectional final against Canandaigua. Nate caught five passes for 57 yards from quarterback Alec Mortillaro and ran for a goal-line touchdown on that chilly November Sunday. A large portion of the Eastridge community was there at Rhinos Stadium, basking in the glory of a championship football team.
“Just know Nate had the best circle button move and was always the best playmaker on the field,” said stalwart Lancer and West Liberty University defensive back Miles Young, referencing Nate’s video game-like spin moves.
“One of the best teammates,” wide receiver Marquel Vasquez, another 2013 EHS graduate, added. “He brings so much intensity to the sports he plays.
“I thank God for allowing me to have the pleasure of having Nate as one of my best friends.”
Nate stayed connected to football long after his tackle career ended, competing with Kirton and some of his old Eastridge teammates in a Rochester flag football league as recently as this spring. That passion and intensity never left him as defenders fruitlessly reached for his flag, but rarely secured it.
“Wanna be our journalist?” Nate messaged me in April. “This team and league’s gonna go off. We have 12 [All Greater Rochester] athletes playing in a 9v9 league.”
Sectional football coverage conflicted with their next few games, but I sure do wish I could watch Nate play ball one more time.
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