Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noah Chieffo

Players spend an entire game assembling the sort of numbers Noah Chieffo put up last Friday.

He merely needed a quarter.

Riverview football (2-0-1) endured a lengthy lightning delay and fought on past midnight to secure a Week 3 home victory over Palmetto (1-1) in 38-35 fashion. The Rams raced out to a 24-14 lead as the two squads combined for five touchdowns in the first frame alone.

Chieffo is a senior wide receiver/tight end playing his first and only season with the program. The 6-foot-5, 208-pound Venice transfer tallied 185 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches in the opening quarter, earning selection as the Sarasota Observer's Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start playing football?

I just love it. I loved hitting when I was little... I love the violent part of it. When I was 4 years old, I was driving by and I saw people playing football. I told my dad I wanted to play it, and ever since, I've just been playing football.

What’s been the highlight of your season so far?

It would be my teammates and coaches, because I've never had teammates and coaches that acted the way they have since I transferred (here) from Venice. The coaching staff and my teammates have been amazing.

What's the most humbling moment you've had as a player?

Getting to our level and knowing that you have a lot more work you have to do to get up to where you need to go. Knowing that you have to work hard to get where you need to be.

What are your goals for your senior season with Riverview?

I want us to go very far. I've known Riverview (for a while) since I live 30 minutes away in Venice, so I know how Riverview is. My goal is I just want us to have a winning season, have a great season and hopefully we go really far. I just hope we do our thing.

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would it be?

Odell Beckham Jr. — that is my dog. I loved him even before the one-handed catches. I love his tattoos, love the way he runs his routes. Odell Beckham Jr. for sure. He's my go-to player.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

If I had to live somewhere — stay, settle down in the place I really want to live — it would have to be New York. I want to live in New York so bad. But for a vacation, I'd want to visit Paris or Hawai'i.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only one item, what would you bring?

I'd have to go with a bag of supplies. I'd probably get deodorant, clothes (and) maybe some food. Depends on how long I'm staying there. If I'm staying for a long time, I might just have to tough it out and just get a bottle of water.

What is your favorite meal?

My stepmom just came up with this Alfredo. I'm not going to lie, (my favorite) used to be steak and mac & cheese, but ever since she made that, I'm going to have to go with chicken Alfredo. She makes her own type of dish, but I call it chicken Alfredo and it's so good.

What is your go-to, pregame music?

This is a Florida rapper. His name is Hotboii and he gets me (energized) every time. He's (been) my favorite rapper ever since I moved to Florida and gets me hyped for every game. That's all I need to listen to. I literally have a whole playlist just of him.

Finish this sentence. Noah Chieffo is...

Ready to put in hard work, ready to get down to business and definitely not ready to quit – never.