Winthrop High head football coach Jon Cadigan agrees with the MIAA’s decision to push back the start of the fall sports season to Sept. 14 due to the coronavirus.
“I think the first couple of weeks of school are going to be a little but difficult getting back into the whole routine and figuring out everything, so it will give us time to settle in before we start to get after it in practice,†said Cadigan.
Winthrop would likely open its season against Saugus, meaning the first two games against Stoneham and Danvers could be canceled.
“We would play our 5-6 league games and hopefully the MIAA okays the post-season,’ said Cadigan. “New York and New Jersey have the post-season in their plans.â€
The Winthrop High players recently participated in four days of workouts at Miller Field.
“We worked on some conditioning stuff, offense and defense installations, explaining different alignments,†said Cadigan. “The good news is that we have an older team, so it’s easier to pick it up after three or four seasons in the program.â€
With an extremely talented senior class, Winthrop is expected to be a contender for the league championship. It is unknown at this time what the regulations on seating capacities will be at Miller Field and other venues in the conference.
Some Winthrop fans are comparing the makeup and senior leadership of this year’s contingent to the 2006 Super Bowl team led by Hall of Fame head coach Tony Fucillo. The quarterback of the undefeated Vikings was Mr. Fucillo’s son, James Fucillo, an assistant coach of this year’s team.
Needless to say, the excitement will be returning to Miller Field this fall.
Winthrop’s other boys and girls fall sports teams will also commence practice on Sept. 14.