Winthrop High Football Team Hosts Stoneham in Opener

The preseason preparations are over, and all roads lead to Miller Field on Friday (6:30 p.m.) when the Winthrop High football team hosts Stoneham High in the opening game of the 2023 season.

Coach Jon Cadigan’s Vikings face a tough assignment as Stoneham has been one of the top teams in the division for the past few years, including appearances in the Super Bowl in 2018 (a 26-20 win over Old Rochester) and 2022 (where the Spartans fell, 29-8, to St. Mary’s of Lynn, who happens to be Winthrop’s Week 2 opponent).

Winthrop has played well in its preseason scrimmages, displaying a potent offense.

“We had a good performance in our final scrimmage against Manchester Essex, but we’re searching for a little bit more consistency right now,” said Cadigan.

Noonan Will Start at Quarterback

Junior Matt Noonan will be the starting quarterback in the season opener. Matt is the younger brother of former Vikings’ starting QB Robert Noonan who gallantly returned from a late-season knee injury to lead Winthrop past Revere on Thanksgiving last fall.

Coach Cadigan will look to a rotation of four talented running backs – Nick Cappuccio, Robert Rich, George Galuris, and Demetri Koutsouflakis – to power the rushing attack.

“When those four guys have the football in their hands, they’re as good as advertised,” said Cadigan. “Now it’s about honing in and blocking for each other.”

Interestingly, Cappuccio and Galuris have been named “Players to Watch” by the Boston Herald. Two-way lineman Ryan Harris was also selected as a “Player To Watch.”

Cadigan said Mark Johnson has emerged as the Vikings’ No. 1 wide receiver. “Mark has had an unbelievable pre-season,” lauded Cadigan. “His blocking has been a difference maker. He’s been tremendous. A lot of the pre-season touchdowns have been the result of his blocking on the safety or the cornerback.”

Winthrop offensive tight ends will be Evan Rockefeller and Daniel Thomai. Both are solid options as pass receivers.

Donovan Cassidy and Alessio Marcoccio have been standouts on defense in the preseason. Cassidy had several tackles for losses and sacks in the scrimmage versus Manchester Essex. Marcoccio looks primed for another stellar season.

“Alessio was our best defensive lineman last year, and he’s picking up where it left off,” said Cadigan.

Cadigan knows that Stoneham will be a formidable opponent Friday night.

“The names might be different, but I think it’s a very similar Stoneham team,” said Cadigan. “They’re going to try to run the ball and be more physical than you. So, we have to match that physicality.”