Rocco Natale Jr. delivering eye-popping numbers while trying to lead Amsterdam football to playoffs

AMSTERDAM – Throughout his high school career, wide receiver Rocco Natale Jr. has more than doubled his total receptions from one football season to the next.

Now an Amsterdam senior in his fourth varsity campaign, it seems impossible Natale could pull off that feat again. After all, he caught 108 passes a year ago, a total good for the state’s single-season record.

But what the 5-foot-9 standout delivered in a Week 2 win for the Rugged Rams makes anything seem possible. 

Against South Glens Falls, Natale delivered a dazzling display of all-around prowess on the gridiron, as he caught 12 passes for 253 yards and five touchdowns; returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown to go along with 13 tackles at defensive back; and, added a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in leading the Rugged Rams past the Bulldogs 52-36 in Section 2 Class A action.

Even after a seven-touchdown performance, Natale admitted “it is hard to top last season.” Individual accolades, though, aren’t what he’s after.

“For the team, I haven’t had a winning season since I have been (on varsity),” said Natale, whose squad plays a pivotal Week 3 game Saturday at home against Columbia. “That’s what I want most of all.”

Amsterdam (1-1 overall, 1-1 Class A) needed last week’s victory after falling to Troy 47-8 in Week 1. Natale made sure of that, as he amassed 443 all-purpose yards in the win against South Glens Falls.

“It was one of the best performances I have ever seen. He took over that game in all three phases,” Amsterdam coach John Homich said. 

“He brought a lot of energy to the team,” Amsterdam sophomore quarterback Errol Bailey III said. “He helps us get going.” 

Natale played six varsity football games as a freshman, and caught 24 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown. He followed up by grabbing 53 passes for 866 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. Last fall, Natale registered 1,112 receiving yards on his 108 receptions. He reached the end zone nine times.

Through two games this season, Natale has caught 19 passes for 274 yards.

“I am not the tallest or strongest, but you also have mental strength and that fight in you,” Natale said. “I am not a guy of words. Sometimes, you just have to have that chip on your shoulder.”

“He pays attention to every last detail he does, whether it is his route running, his get-off (at the line of scrimmage) and even conditioning,” Homich said.

Natale accounted for seven of the eight Amsterdam touchdowns scored in the victory over South Glens Falls, with the other touchdown being tallied by Jonathan Rosario on a reception.

“It was a major confidence boost after Troy, because that game didn’t go how we wanted it to go,” Natale said. “Going into the South Glens Falls game, we knew we had something to prove. It was a major step in the right direction.”

Week in and week out, Homich said Natale sets the needed tone for the Rugged Rams.

“He is one of the most coachable kids we’ve ever had,” Homich said. “You tell him to do one thing and he corrects it and does it the right way. In practice, he asks for things he can improve on. He is a leader, on and off the field, and is just a great kid. He motivates his teammates on offense, defense and special teams. He has been a gym rat in leading things in the weight room with our other captain, Lucas Brown.”

Natale also excels when the ball isn’t coming in his direction, as he is also a proficient blocker. Even in a lopsided game, winning or losing, the senior does not take plays off.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” Natale said. “I am a captain of the team. I am not the type of guy that is going to go yell at somebody. I am the type of guy that leads by example. If they see me taking plays off, they will think it is OK for them to take plays off. No matter what I am doing, whether I am getting the ball or not, it is always at 110%.”

At quarterback, Bailey took over from Luis Tirado, who served as the Rugged Rams’ starter in 2025. The sophomore is highly appreciative of having a weapon the caliber of Natale at his disposal.

“He makes things so easy,” Bailey said. “We got over things in practice. He helps me in every way with the way he gets open. He makes my life way easier than it should be.”

In addition to his football exploits, Natale is also one the area’s premier basketball players. As a junior, he averaged 14.5 points and 3.7 assists in helping Amsterdam advance to the Class AA state final in Binghamton. Currently, the senior is drawing recruiting interest in both sports and he has not yet determined which one he will play in college.

“He is a go-getter. He has a goal in mind and that is to play at the next level,” Homich said. “He is working to get himself there.”

Amsterdam plays host Saturday to Columbia (2-0, 2-0) as part of the school’s homecoming weekend. Only four of nine Class A teams will qualify for sectional play, so a win would greatly enhance the Rugged Rams’ postseason outlook.

“We’re 1-1 right now. It is a turning (point), right here,” Bailey said. 

“This might be the biggest game of the regular season,” Natale said. “This is make or break. It would be a big step in the right direction, if we win, (toward making) the playoffs. That’s really what I want this season – making sectionals.”

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This article originally published at Rocco Natale Jr. delivering eye-popping numbers while trying to lead Amsterdam football to playoffs.