Former Bishop Guertin standout Jonah Feliciano listens to the tutelage of CHaD Team West assistant coach Branden Lilley during the first day of practice Wednesday at Manchester West High School. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

MANCHESTER – Exactly a week ago, Jonah Feliciano woke up with a foreign feeling.

There would be no Division I championship lacrosse game for him to play in goal for Bishop Guertin.

“It was definitely rough, it was sad to end it with all the guys, end our season,” he said of the 11-9 loss to eventual champion Pinkerton Academy in the semifinals. “But we definitely gave 100 percent effort, tried as hard as we could, we just weren’t able to get it done. … After those first couple of days it was rough, we don’t have to wake up at 7 to go to practice for 8 a.m. But as time went on, it definitely got better.”

That’s because Feliciano has another practice to go to – practice for the annual East-West CHaD All-Star Football Game. The game will be a week from Friday at Saint Anselm’s Grappone Stadium, but practice for Team West began on Wednesday at Manchester West High School.

That got the competitive juices flowing again.

“Definitely,” he said yesterday. “It feels good to get out there and get back at it.”

While for many the CHaD Game is their last time on a football field, last week’s semifinal game may have been Feliciano’s last time playing organized lacrosse. He’s headed to Plymouth State soon to study exercise science/sports physiology and also play football. That’s a switch, as many BG football players over the years have played lacrosse in college instead.

“It was definitely a big achievement for me,” Feliciano said of getting the chance to play college football. “I think it’s definitely great to play at that next level, and even more of an opportunity to play.”

Feliciano was felt being recruited “was a unique, cool opportunity to have. Almost like appreciation for your talent.”

He’s played football since the second grade.He went to BG originally for lacrosse, as he played in the Tomahawks program and a lot of his friends were going to Guertin. Plus the education was a big factor.

Felciano, who is from Londonderry, was a standout fullback as well as linebacker for the Cardinals last fall. He enjoyed fullback but linebacker was where he had the most fun.

“I think I had a way bigger leadership role at linebacker, since I control a lot of the defense,” he said. “I definitely enjoyed linebacker a lot more.”

That’s where he will likely play on June 26 at Grappone. It’s an opportunity he doesn’t take lightly, for sure.

“I think it’s a really big opportunity, especially for those kids that need (help),” Feliciano said. “It’s a really big opportunity to raise money and awareness for it. And also it’s a real fun opportunity to play with all your buddies and other kids you may have met from football, and some extra training if you’re playing in college.”

And that’s what he’s doing, He’s curious to see how the jump to that next level will be.

“I don’t know, I guess we’ll see,” he said when asked of his expectations. “I’m really hoping to work hard and start that freshman year and play well.”

And he’s anxious to delve into his major. Feliciano certainly has spent time in the weight room, and that always peaked his interest.

“I’m big into the gym and it’s interesting to me how the body works, each muscle,” he said. “With that degree I’d probably try to get into personal training, running my own type of personal training business, something like that.”

Jonah Feliciano’s a young man with a plan. A week ago the plan kind of hit a speedbump, but now thanks to the CHaD Game it’s onward and upward.

That’s how linebackers – and goalies – roll.