Mells Battles Obstacles, Aims for Success on Gridiron at Natick

Amir Mells is persevering, persistent, and pro-active, and it’s those attributes that likely will play a major role in his desire to achieve success in football and everyday life.
The Natick High senior is dynamic in his approach to whatever the task at hand may be. A METCO student who lives in Dorchester, the 17-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance on the gridiron, is quick to pursue extra help to stay on top of his academic responsibilities and still manages to help others when time allows.
Amir Mells isn’t afraid of short-term change or making sacrifices that will be beneficial in the long run.
As an inner-city student, Mells copes with an arduous routine that involves a 15-hour commitment during football season. His alarm sounds at 5 a.m., he gets ready, awaits a METCO bus in Dorchester that arrives at 6:10 and drops him off at Natick High where he spends six-plus hours in classes and a few more on the practice field. He boards a bus at the school at 6:30 p.m. and arrives home in Dorchester at 8 o’clock.
“There are times when I have to rely on mental toughness to get through those long days,’’ said Mells, who’s a running back and linebacker. “Getting up at 5 a.m. is a grind and sometimes I tell myself I can’t do this anymore. But, I know if I stick with it, I’ll be better off in the future.’’
Mells, who previously attended school in Boston, started classes at Natick as a sophomore. He initiated the move by starting the METCO application process unilaterally. His mother, however, had to give her consent. She did but it took his pro-active nature to make the transfer a reality.
“I kept asking about my status and when I would be able to go to a suburban school,’’ he recalled. “The director liked my pro-active style and I eventually got approved. I wanted to enroll at a suburban school because I could get a better education and be part of a quality athletic program. They decided on Natick and I researched it and liked what I saw.’’
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Mells quickly fit in as a running back. As a sophomore, he scored a touchdown and gained 100 yards in Natick’s Thanksgiving Day game against Framingham. Last year, in the Redhawks’ opener against Weymouth, Mells gained 150 yards and scored three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered a high ankle sprain against Wellesley, missed a game but returned and sprained his other ankle against Dedham.
“I returned for the playoff game against Bridgewater-Raynham but got hurt again, probably because I came back too early,’’ Mells said. “The ankle sprains slowed me down and forced me to miss six games.’’
Head coach Mark Mortarelli, who liked what he saw of Mells in limited action last fall, knows he’s got a potential blue-chip back.
“Amir relies on mental and physical toughness to handle his long, daily routine,’’ Mortarelli said. “As for football, he’s a power back built low to the ground and he runs north to south. He takes football seriously, setting good examples and working hard in the weight room. He’s a happy-go-lucky kid who’s always smiling. Appreciative of being at Natick, he likes his teammates and wants to play football in college.’’
When Mells feels like he needs extra help in a specific course, he’s quick to let Mortarelli know he’ll be late for practice. And, that situation is fine with the coach. “Amir works hard in the classroom but if he’s struggling, he lets me know he’ll be late because he’s getting added help,’’ Mortarelli noted. “That shows he cares about academics and that’s what we encourage.’’
Mells started playing football at age seven, competing in Boston’s Pop Warner program. While in that system, he met Domingos Darosa, a coach who became Mells’ role model. “He taught football but he also taught his players the importance of giving back to the community,’’ Mells noted. “He stressed that service to others was meaningful.’’
Darosa’s advice left an impression with Mells because at age 14 he was volunteering as a counselor at a juvenile detention center focusing on helping youths to be better people when they’re released.
“The program was the Youth Police Partnership and we worked to help juveniles make good decisions and avoid getting into trouble when they leave the center,’’ Mells said. “I did that for a year. I’ve also helped at a retirement home, providing company for senior citizens and tending to any of their needs. And, I spent time helping out in the Pop Warner program.’’
Mells has the leadership traits to be a captain at Natick High but missing so much time to injuries likely hurt his chances. Two players, however, who are captains, rate highly in Mells’ estimation. “Peter Ryan (safety) and Malik Williams (running back/linebacker) are good leaders,’’ he said. “Peter is tough and competitive while Malik is tough, too, and always willing to perfect his game and help younger players.’’
Mells also admires his coach and the football staff, calling Mortarelli a top-notch motivator.
“Coach Mortarelli gave me the opportunity to play,’’ Mells emphasized. “He knows how to get everyone’s best effort and he’s supportive when I go for added help academically. I also like all our coaches commitment and how seriously they take their roles.’’
An honor-roll student for one semester so far, the personable Mells has some specific goals for his senior year. He wants to stay healthy, get to a Super Bowl, gain 1,000 yards, and score 10 touchdowns.
“I’m a team-first player, so the Super Bowl is most important,’’ he stressed. “I scored only four touchdowns as a junior, so 10 would be nice along with 1,000 yards. What I’m hoping for are good grades, a good football season, and maybe a scholarship offer.’’
Mells can hit holes quickly and use his power to get his share of short yardage. Even in his three-touchdown game against Weymouth, his longest gain was 25 yards. At linebacker, his strength is his ability to read and react.
Acutely aware that Natick High has provided him with lots of opportunities, Mells says, “I’m blessed to be at Natick where it’s tough and competitive.’’
He’s adjusted to a new community, he admires a faculty that he labels as “caring,’’ and he’s got passion for Natick’s athletic atmosphere. Mells will be working out this summer at a camp that’ll focus on seven-on-seven situations. He hopes to improve his footwork and technique and be more prepared to catch passes out of the backfield.
Living in Dorchester with his mother (Angela), Mells is a magnificent study in motivation. He’s climbed some steep hills, battled injuries, and endured a taxing schedule. And, he still manages to help with community programs.
One fact remains undeniable in the life of Amir Mells — he’ll be successful because he’s persevering, persistent, and pro-active.