Posted Monday, February 09, 2009 by Bob Lesniak

   Al Hunte has seen it all before. Not in a dream but in his very own life. The former 4-year Huskie wide receiver went to Northeastern University on a full scholarship as did his roommate, 4-year cornerback Laz Mitjans, now Brookline High School’s head football coach. Earlier this week on February 4 Northeastern welcomed a couple new recruits into the Huskie football fold. Like their dad before them BHS seniors Kyle and Chad Hunte will be playing ball for NU via full scholarship.

   Said Al Hunte, “This process has been emotional for me…seeing two of my sons follow in my footsteps. It gives me a very special feeling.”

   Hunte credits his experience while at Northeastern for molding his future. “Everything there was terrific for me from the teachers to the coaches to the other students. Knowing what I know about NU first hand sort of places me in a comfort zone as far as what lies ahead for Kyle and Chad. They will be given wonderful opportunities both academically and athletically. Northeastern puts its students in a very positive environment.  My wife and I are very excited for our sons.”

   Kyle Hunte closed out his high school grid career catching 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns in 2008. Defensively he recorded 53 initial tackles from his safety position, tying lineman Marc Lavarin for second best on the squad. In the all-star voting Hunte’s antics at wide out resulted in him earning the third most votes among Bay State Conference coaches, behind only Walpole halfback Ryan Izzo and  Framingham quarterback Dave Guadagnoli.

   “I am being thought of mainly as a defensive back at this point but the coach did say I would at least be given a chance to show if I can help the team at receiver,” said the BSC’s best wide receiver of last season. “I love playing both offense and defense so I am happy to help wherever the coaches feel I can help most.”

   He is honored to join the Huskie program. “My father carved out a path (to NU) for Chad and I and now it is up to us to make the best of the ground work he laid for us,” said Hunte who is undecided about whether he will compete next spring in track.

   He is pleased to continue having Parsons Field as a home field. “I love it there. I am familiar with it and very comfortable playing there,” he said.

   Chad Hunte was one of the several most dominant linebackers in the BSC the past two falls. In 08 he led the Warriors with three interceptions and 87 initial tackles along with over thirty assists. “Playing linebacker at the next level will be a challenge that I look forward to,” he said.  “My confidence level, thanks mainly to Coach Mitjans, is high. I expect to successfully make the jump from high school ball to college. The coach has taught me how important it is to train and practice hard and to stay focused. An athlete needs to strive to improve… even if just a tiny improvement… from each drill or practice to the next. Both my father and Coach Mitjans have taught me that hard work is rewarded by a realistic shot at obtaining one’s goals. You won’t get there by not working hard.”

   Mitjans has helped Hunte become a student of the game of football. “It is all thanks to Coach Mitjans that I enjoy watching game films and learning all I can. I’m watching film all the time and if not for my coach I would not be into that. Fortunately I like it and realize that watching film makes me a better performer on the field,” he said.

   While older brother A.J. wrestles for Pittsburgh University following a brilliant wrestling career at BHS, Chad and Kyle will strive for similar achievements at NU. Said Chad Hunte, “There is no real pressure on Kyle and I to go out and match or surpass what our father accomplished. He did his thing and now we will do ours. We are both just very proud to be going to the same college that he went to.”