Through a vast collection of iconic moments entering his fourth year as starter for the Shawsheen football team, senior quarterback/safety Sid Tildsley still picks his first as his favorite.

In Week 2 of 2021, well before he secured Commonwealth Athletic Conference MVP nods his sophomore and junior years, a freshman Tildsley stared down the barrel of a five-point deficit with 4:32 left on the clock, and told offensive coordinator Doug Pratt that he wanted the ball. He and then-junior Mavrick Bourdeau had traded drives at quarterback and receiver all game against Whittier Tech, but Pratt put faith in the newbie to lead the last one.

A long drive and two fourth-down conversions later, Tildsley connected with Bourdeau on fourth down again for a 22-yard touchdown pass – securing a 23-22 win – as time expired.

“We call it kind of a Cinderella, fake movie scene,” Tildsley said. “I just dropped back, threw the touchdown. It was big. One of the best moments of freshman year. It was kind of like the highlight. And since then on, I played quarterback.”

For Tildsley, it was a sort of continuation of success from Billerica Pop Warner football – which didn’t lose many games over the years.

But for Shawsheen, it was the start of a new, formidable era.

After finishing 2021 at 6-5, the Rams ramped up their efforts in the offseason to come out strong in 2022. They went unbeaten all the way to the Div. 5 Super Bowl, which they lost to North Reading.

Tildsley couldn’t help lead them to victory in the Super Bowl, but still managed to find Bourdeau 17 times to help him tie the MIAA single-game record for receptions in a championship game. A year later, Tildsley’s versatility as a passer and rusher anchored a 9-0 start to pull a game away from reaching the Div. 5 Super Bowl again, but fell to eventual-champion Foxboro in the state semifinals.

“I’ve had the pleasure through many years of coaching some great high school kids,” said head coach Al Costabile. “He, maybe more than anyone else, has had the ability to make those around him look better. … What it takes to attain that ability in high school is to produce under pressure. And Sid has left his mark as a go-to person when things are on the line. Once other players see that, they buy in big-time.”

Costabile praises Tildsley’s hunger despite all his success. Shawsheen has only lost twice over its last 25 games, but there’s still one piece of hardware he’s yet to win that he’s itching to hoist.

“This is my last year, we want to make it fun. But at the end of the day, we still have a mission to accomplish,” Tildsley said. “Considering now that I’m a senior and we’ve been (to the Super Bowl) in the past, it’s more of almost like, ‘You should be there,’ and ‘We have to get this done.’ It’s almost a must-do.”

Over 34 games as a starter, Tildsley has passed for 4,036 yards and 53 touchdowns. He’s run in 30 more scores off 1,523 rushing yards, returned over 1,000 yards for two touchdowns on punts, and has caught a touchdown pass.

Ask Costabile his favorite memories of Tildsley, though, and both are signature interceptions he made in critical moments as a safety – where he’s possibly an even more dangerous weapon. He’s closing in on 200 career tackles with 11 interceptions and three touchdown returns.

Much of that comes from his dedication to the film room, both for himself and his teammates.

“If someone doesn’t know where to go, I know,” Tildsley said. “I want to know what the (defensive end) is doing on this play. I want to know what the left tackle is doing on a run play or a pass play. So, if (my teammates) have questions, I’m kind of like a coach on the field. … We only have four or five days to get ready. Considering I’ve been playing this defense for 2 1/2 years now, it helps to have someone be able to tell you what to do.”

For all that Tildsley is to the football program, magnify it for the wrestling team. Last year, Tildsley became the program’s first three-time All-State champion – adding to two New England championships as a two-time All-American.

Tildsley says wrestling, which he’s also done since he was 5 years old, helps fuel his ambition and strides in football, and vice-versa.

Somehow, the two sports have almost drowned out placing twice in the javelin throw at state meets in outdoor track and field, and a 2022 CAC MVP award.

“Best athlete I ever coached,” Costabile said. “I’ve never had anybody that can get the accolades in two sports like that. Ever. That’s rarified here.”

There’s no bigger fuel for Tildsley, though, than his family.

People may think he wears No. 12 in football because of Tom Brady, but it’s actually an homage to his paternal grandfather (Wilmington), father (Wilmington) and uncle (Shawsheen), who all wore No. 12 and never miss a game. Tildsley’s younger brother also plays a big role for the team and his father, Brian Tildsley, is the defensive coordinator. His maternal grandfather comes down from Maine for games, while his mother and sister round out a tremendous showing of support.

“Our family point is just, you don’t miss someone’s game,” Tildsley said. “On Friday nights at 7 p.m., you’re at the game. We’re all there. … The opportunity that we’ve had as a team, especially to do it with all my family and stuff, is just awesome to have. It’s really a blessing.”