It won’t be the John Macero Bowl as the former Winthrop and Stoneham superintendent of schools has retired after a distinguished 30-year career in education.
But Winthrop versus Stoneham (Friday at 7 p.m. at Stoneham) is still an intriguing intra-divisional football matchup between two highly regarded programs that should be in the mix come playoff time.
Two of the top players from last year’s teams, both All-Scholastic linemen, 6-foot-5-inch Pete Jurovich (Curry) of Winthrop and 6-foot-6-inch Peter Godfrey (Wagner) of Stoneham, are now playing college football.
“They’re still a very solid team,†said Winthrop head coach Jon Cadigan about the Spartans. “They’re big up front, tough. Their quarterback is probably their best offensive player. It’s going to be a tough matchup for us.â€
A Win in a Scrimmage
The Vikings have some momentum for the season opener following a 20-7 win over Manchester-Essex in their final pre-season scrimmage.
Welvis Acosta was the leading rusher with 9 carries for 120 yards. Nick Cappuccio (one rushing TD, one TD reception) and Robert Noonan (quarterback-keeper) accounted for the six-pointers.
Winthrop scored on three consecutive possessions after a slow start.
Winthrop’s Starting Lineup
Coach Cadigan said that senior Robert Noonan will be the starting quarterback. Welvis Acosta (fullback), Robert Rich, Nick Cappuccio, and Demetri Koutsouflakis will be the running backs.
The offensive line includes center Phil Boncore, guards Danny Guauque and Alessio Marcoccio, and tackles Donovan Cassidy and Ryan Harris. Vasili Tsiotos will also see action at tackle or tight end. Dan Thomai is the starting tight end.
On defense against Stoneham’s double-wing offense, the front line consists of Guauque, Harris, and Marcoccio. Acosta and Koutsouflakis are the outside linebackers while Robert Noonan and Cassidy are the inside linebackers. Matthew Noonan, younger brother of Robert, will also see action at linebacker. Boncore is also in the OLB rotation.
Interestingly, cornerbacks Mark Johnson, George Galauris, and Michael Holgersen are also contending for wide receiver positions, looking to continue the excellence of Mikey Chaves in the Vikings’ offense as the premier passing target for Robert Noonan.
Galauras and Rich are battling for the No. 1 placekicker’s position.
Robert Noonan, Welvis Acosta, and Danny Guauque are the Winthrop captains. The Boston Herald named Noonan as a “Player to Watch†in its pre-season preview.
Back-to-Back Games Versus the Spartans
In what is likely a first for Winthrop High football, the first two opponents on the schedule, Stoneham and St. Mary’s (Sept. 16) share the same nickname: the Spartans.