The Andover Golden Warriors football coaches develop the players’ talents and have sent many on to greatness. Watching William Heikkinen’s talents progress for the years he played on the team culminated in a wonderful 2013 season. It was during this time that the 6 foot 1 inch 195-pound wide receiver became quarterback, CJ Scarpa’s, main focus. At this time, Heikkinen was a senior and a two-time Merrimack Valley Conference All-Star. He caught 67 passes for 1,162 yards and nine touchdowns his last season. During his high school football career, Heikkinen amassed 126 catches and 1,960 receiving yards (both school records) and 22 touchdowns.
In his junior year, Will was a receiver for the Golden Warriors and that was the time his teammate, Andy Coke, who went to Brown in 2012, predicted that William Heikkinen was a player to watch. He knows how to use his size and speed to his advantage. During his junior year Heikkinen began to get noticed, not just by Coke but also other players and spectators. He made a magnificent catch during a game against North Andover, and dominated a game against Haverhill. Finally it was beginning to click and people started to realize that Andy Coke was right. William Heikkinen was definitely a player to watch.
Even though several Ivy League schools came knocking, in January 2013, William Heikkinen committed to Brown University. His high school coach, EJ Perry was complimentary of the choice, “Brown’s excellent football reputation, combined with its academic prowess convinced Will.” The town of Andover has sent a several football players to Brown over the years including James Perry (EJ’s brother), Bill O’Brien, Bobby, Mark, Paul and Buddy Farnham, Brendan and Neil Finneran, and Andy Coke.