By Chris Villani

Nick Araujo has been a mainstay of the Milford High football program throughout his career, and the senior finished off his career by outscoring the opposition all by himself. 

Araujo ran for two touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass, kicked a field goal, and booted three extra points in the Scarlet Hawks’ 31-21 victory over Taunton.

“I think I played amazing,” Araujo said, after a season that saw him win Hockomock League MVP honors. “I knew it was my last game stepping on the field, and I just wanted to play my hardest and set an example for the sophomores and juniors. I just played my heart out.”

The victory capped off a 10-2 season for Milford that saw the Scarlet Hawks advance to the final four in the state before falling to Walpole. It also punctuated a great run for the MHS program, as the Hawks won 29 games over the past three seasons.

Making an impact on the gridiron is nothing new for Araujo, who is already fielding multiple Division I collegiate offers. He’s been a two-way star as a running back and linebacker and perhaps the best part of his game is his skill as a placekicker.

That part of Araujo’s game dates back to the third grade. In Pop Warner football, a kick through the uprights after a touchdown counts as two points, instead of the usual one. Araujo earned a spot as the team’s kicker and gave the junior Hawks a big edge by helping them put eight points on the board after finding the end zone.

“I’ve been kicking ever since,” he said. 

Last year, with time running out in the first half during a game against Attleboro, Araujo booted a 52-yard field goal. In practice, he is good from 60 yards, and said he loves the idea of lining up for a kick with the game on the line.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” Araujo said. “I just take a deep breath and embrace the moment.”

Araujo will not have any downtime during his senior year of sports. After the win over Taunton on Thanksgiving, Araujo’s basketball season tipped off the following Monday. In addition to playing hoops, Araujo said he is hoping to hit the gym every day to cut some weight, add some strength, and get his body ready for college football.

Wherever he ends up, Araujo said he is planning to study criminal justice and either become a police officer or pursue another law enforcement field.

“My dad is a cop and my uncle is a cop, so it runs in the family,” he said.

Family has been a big part of Araujo’s athletic journey, particularly the support he has received from his parents, Maureen and Robert, and his three sisters, Jillian, Abby, and Anna.

“They have been a huge help,” he said. “They have been to every single game, whether it’s a home game or an hour away. They always find time to be there for me and cheer me on.”