After strong offseason, South Vermillion's Garzolini is ready

It all began with the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning.

Every Sunday, Anthony Garzolini would tune in and watch one of the greatest to play the position, hoping and dreaming of following in Manning’s footsteps.

“He was the reason I wanted to be a quarterback, and what more could you ask for in a role model,” the South Vermillion quarterback told Sideline Prep Sports Report.

For Garzolini, who will be a junior this August, the success has come rapidly for him.

A season ago, South Vermillion finished 7-5 before falling to eventual Class 2A champion Western Boone in the sectional final. Garzolini threw for over 1,900 yards on the season, and the success and hard work has continued through the offseason.

According to QB Hit List, Garzolini is the third best pro style quarterback in the 2022 class in Indiana. In addition, he earned MVP honors at the QB Universe Camp and has been invited to the Elite 11.

According to Garzzolini, his success is the result of his hard work and those around him.

“I knew I could have success as a high school quarterback if I worked my butt off to be the best I can be, but I also needed the guys around me to get the job done. My coach, Greg Barrett, has put my teammates and I in a position to win every Friday night. I couldn’t do it without the big boys up front, protecting me and the receivers outside catching. Without them, none of it is possible. I’m still working every day to perfect my craft, because I am not satisfied with where I’m at. I want to be the best,” Garzolini told Sideline Sports Report.

This fall, the junior signal caller has his sights set on leading the Wildcats deep into the postseason.

“The ultimate goal is to play on Thanksgiving weekend. I truly believe there’s nothing that this team can’t achieve if we put our minds and hearts to it. Personally, I just want to continue to get better. I just need to do what I need to, to help my team succeed,” Garzolini said.

Currently, the junior has heard from a few schools across the Midwest.

“A perfect school for me is one that I can gain a great degree from. I realize football doesn’t last forever, and I want to have my degree to fall back on. On the football side of college, I want a program that truly wants me as a part of their roster, and one that has a family vibe to the team. At South Vermillion, we are a family that gets to play football with each other on the side. That’s what I want in a college football program,” Garzolini told Sideline Prep Sports Report.