From the Press Box
Outside the Lines
By: Jim Lederman
Outside the Lines
The football season opens this week. Winthrop Vikings open the 2017 season with the first official practice tomorrow (Friday). The New England Patriots play their second exhibition game on Saturday at Texas.
The Vikings will play their games on the road for their games on the road for the first 10 weeks. The Thanksgiving game with Revere will be played on the new Miller Field gridiron on the holiday.
The Vikings will be playing in the expanded new Northeastern Conference. The NEC added four teams from the old GBL (Greater Boston League) Medford, Malden and Somerville will play in the three divisions. Everett is the fourth GBL team to be added to the NEC but the Crimson Tide will not play NEC teams in football.
Tier 1 in the NEC consists of Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody and Malden. Marblehead has won four consecutive NEC football titles. The Magicians were undefeated (10-0) until they lost to Falmouth in the Super Bowl.
Tier 2 has Gloucester, Lynn Classical, Revere and two new schools Medford and Somerville. Gloucester captured the NEC South title in 2016.
The Winthrop Vikings will compete in the Tier 3 division. With Swampscott, Saugus, Salem and Lynn English.
The Vikings played their home games in 2016 at East Boston Stadium. The Vikings lost to Medfield (0-26), Gloucester (6-48) and Greater Lawrence (13-47). The Vikings defeated Swampscott (20-7).
The Vikings won two games on the road. A (14-0) victory at Salem and a (22-16) victory over Saugus.
The Vikings lost a playoff game to undefeated St. Mary’s of Lynn (52-8) and an overtime defeat to Lynn English (27-25) at Manning Field. The Vikings lost to Revere (14-7) on Thanksgiving to finish with a (3-8) record.
The Viking’s open their schedule with a trip to Dr. Deering Stadium in Danvers on Friday, September 8th at 7 p.m. The Falcons prevailed at their new stadium last year (27-7).
The Vikings will play Medford on Friday, September 15th at Hormel Stadium in Medford. The Mustangs finished the 2016 campaign with a (3-8) record. The defense allowed 236 points in losses to Bedford, Somerville, Tewksbury, Winchester and Concord-Carlisle (a 35-point average) Medford (3-8) opened the 2016 campaign with a (30-28) victory over Revere.
The Vikings travel to Lynnfield on Friday, September 29th, game at 7 p.m. The ‘Pioneers’ built a beautiful new stadium in 2016. This will be only the second game Winthrop and Lynnfield have played. The Vikings lost to Lynnfield in the division four playoff at Miller Field in 2014. The Vikings and Pioneers were both undefeated (9-0) before the big game. The Vikings travel to play Salem at Bertram Field on Friday, October 6th.
The Vikings will play with ‘Big Blue’ of Swampscott on Saturday, September 23rd at 12 p.m. The ‘new’ Blocksidge Field will be ready for the two archrivals from the original NEC. Winthrop, Marblehead, Swampscott, Woburn, Amesbury, Newburyport, Woburn, Danvers and Andover formed the original Northeast Conference.
The Football Playoffs
The MIAA devised a new playoff system in 2013. The teams play seven games and a three-week MIAA Tourney begins October 27th.
There are more teams eligible for the playoffs. But have the Thanksgiving high school games lost their luster?
Since the inception of the playoff system, many are wondering: If you lessen the implications, do you lessen the value?
Now, save for a few league titles still up for grabs this long time Massachusetts’s tradition appears to many to be devoid of meaning beyond lore and bragging rights. Is that enough?
Winthrop and Revere will play on Thanksgiving for the 87th game. The Vikings lead (56-29-1). Marblehead and Swampscott will play the 112th game at Marblehead this year. Marblehead leads (53-51-7). Beverly leads Salem (60-51-7) and will play at Salem on Thanksgiving.
Let the Games Begin!
The Rivalry
The Red Sox and Yankees have six games left in 2017. The Red Sox defeated New York (3-2) in 10-innings on Sunday night to increase their lead to 5 ½ games in the American League East.
The ‘Yankees’ invade Fenway Park this weekend, for another crucial series. Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday in Boston.
The Red Sox stand (6-6) in the series. There are six games left between these two archrivals.
The Sox travel to Yankee Stadium for the final series on September 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
The Sox play 15 games at Fenway Park in September. The Red Sox need the return of Dustin Pedroia and pitcher David Price.
The play of 22-year old Andrew Benintendi and 20-year old Rafael Devers, have boosted the offense in their run for the Pennant.
The Sox need home runs from Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez.
The Red Sox need to win the Pennant and win a play
off series to save John Farrell’s job as manager.
Winthrop Viking Football Schedule 2017
Fri. Sept. 8 – Danvers (A) 7 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 15 – Medford (A) 7 p.m.
Sat. Sept. 23 – *Swampscott (A) 12 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 29 – Lynnfield (A) 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 6 – *Salem – (A) 7 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 14 – *Saugus (A) 12 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 21 – *Lynn English (A) 12 p.m.
Fri. or Sat. Oct. 27/28 MIAA Tourney T.B.A.
Fri. or Sat. Nov. 3/4/ MIA Tourney T.B.A.
Fri. or Sat. Nov. 10/11 MIAA Tourney T.B.A.
Thu. Nov. 23 Revere (A) 10 a.m.
*Conference Game