Leaders of the 2023 Vikings Football Team: Rich, Cassidy, Harris, Rockefeller Elected Captains of the 2003 Team

 Winthrop High head football coach Jon Cadigan has announced that seniors Robert Rich, Donovan Cassidy, Ryan Harris, and Evan Rockefeller, are the captains of the 2023 team.

In a new selection process installed for this season, players had to apply for the captaincy positions. Seven players applied, and four were voted in as captains by their teammates and coaches.

Cadigan explained how some candidates for captains emerge early on, while other players develop into leaders later in their careers.

“You have an idea when certain players start out [as freshmen] and you determine that ‘this guy could be captain material,’ and I think there were two out of that four that became captains, and then there are the players that naturally grow over the years and by the third or fourth year, you say, ‘there’s another candidate [for captain],” said Cadigan. “I think all of our four captains have taken one of those two routes. I’m very happy for the four captains. They are definitely deserving. I think all four bring a different element. Robert Rich is more of a vocal guy. Donovan Casssidy and Evan Rockefeller are more quiet-lead-by-example type guys. I think Ryan Harris is a little bit of both.”

The captains talked about their leadership roles before a practice session Monday.

Robert Rich

“It feels great to be a captain. I’ve been trying to be a captain all four years, but this year my teammates voted me in, and it just felt amazing,” said Rich, son of Bob Rich and Cara Rich.

Asked about his goals for the season, Rich said, “Individually, I want to have a great season and play as well as I know I can and lead the team. My goal for the team is to win a championship.”

Rich said he and his fellow captains were teammates in Winthrop Youth Football beginning in second grade (with Ryan Harris) and third grade (with Donovan Cassidy and Evan Rockefeller).

Donovan Cassidy

Cassidy, son of Greg Cassidy and Atiyeh Cassidy, said of his captaincy, “It feels great, it’a total honor to be a leader on this team and that everyone else thinks I’m a leader on this team to be voted in. When Coach Cadigan made the announcement, it was one of the highlights of my life. We’re going to have a great season. We trying to win a championship this year and do everything to get there.”

Ryan Harris

Harris follows his older brother, Ian Harris (2021 team), into the captain’s role.

“It feels amazing. It’s a great honor to be a captain here. Ever since my brother was captain, I always wanted to be a captain,” said Ryan. Ryan and Ian are the sons of Rob Harris and Kerri Harris.

Harris will be a right tackle and a defensive end this season. “The line is looking great. It’s one of our strong points. The preseason is going well. I think we looked great in that scrimmage against Beverly and Malden, but we have to keep working hard. I think we’re going to win a championship. That’s the mindset this year.”

Evan Rockefeller

Evan Rockefeller will lead the defense at middle linebacker and start at tight end on offense.

“Being a captain is amazing. It’s a great honor. Ever since my brother [Tyler Rockefeller] became a captain, I’ve been hoping that I would be a captain,” said Evan.

Rockefeller said he is aware of the high expectations for the 2023 season. “I think we’re going to do well. I’m hoping for an NEC championship and also other championships, of course.”

Evan is the son of Jason Rockefeller and Melissa Rockefeller.

Vikings Defeat Beverly, Malden in Scrimmage

Winthrop outscored Beverly and Malden by a 4-1 margin in touchdowns in the opening scrimmage.

“That’s about as good a first scrimmage as I’ve had in my six years as head coach,” said Coach Jon Cadigan. “That’s as good as we’ve looked in a first scrimmage setting.”

Running back Nick Cappuccio provided a highlight with a 60-yard run for a touchdowns, giving a dynamic sample of his speed.

Quarterback Matt Noonan (6-of-10, 116 yards passing) threw two touchdown passes to George Galuris, measuring 73 yards total. Robert Rich had a 10-yard run for a touchdown.

Winthrop’s offense had 297 yards on 30 plays, which is close to 10 yards gained per play. The Vikings have four very capable running backs in Nick Cappuccio, Robert Rich, Demetri Koutsouflakis, and George Galuris.

Cadigan said he was very impressed with the blocking by the offensive line and receivers.

“One of the big focus points that we’ve had in the offseason is block to the whistle. If we block to the whistle, we’ll be fine,” said Cadigan. “If we run to the football on defense until the whistle, we’ll be fine, because we do have a talented roster.”

Winthrop was set to scrimmage East Boston Wednesday. It’s on the road Friday for a game scrimmage at Gloucester’s Newell Stadium Friday against Manchester-Essex. The Hornets’ home field in undergoing renovations.