Winthrop High head football coach Jon Cadigan has announced the election of the team’s captains for the 2025 season.
Running back and linebacker Seth Sacco, safety and running back Sean Dolen, and center Roy Konopaska will lead the Vikings into their season opener at home against Tewksbury on Friday, Sept. 4.
Cadigan, who was very pleased with the team’s choices, said the captaincy process was like the one used in past years.
“Players have to apply for the position and get nominated from their applications,” explained Cadigan. “Everyone in the program then has one vote, and we tally up the results.”
Cadigan said he is confident that the three captains will continue the tradition of excellent leadership in the program.
A tough opening night foe
Winthrop will be tested right away in the 6:30 p.m. season opener against Tewksbury Memorial High School, a perennial contender out of the tough Merrimack Valley League.
Tewksbury is coming off a 9-3 season and an appearance in the Division 4 state semifinal. Winthrop last played Tewksbury in the 1981 Super Bowl, with the Vikings prevailing by a 14-0 score.
How did the WHS-TMHS matchup develop?
“We were supposed to play Bishop Fenwick, but they backed out at the last minute in March,” said Cadigan. “Pretty much all schools have their opponents by March. Tewksbury was one who didn’t, so here where are. They are a very good program that plays tough teams.”
Ferrara is new
starting QB
Junior Charlie Ferrara will make his debut as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, succeeding 2024 graduate Matt Noonan as the No. 1 signal caller.
Ferrara was the junior varsity quarterback in addition to playing varsity at tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, and special teams as a sophomore.
Charlie is the son of Winthrop assistant football coach Chris Ferrara and Marissa Ferrara, a key leader of the Winthrop Football Boosters.
Scrimmage schedule
The Vikings played well in a triangular scrimmage against Beverly and Malden last Saturday. Winthrop was set to play Coach John Parziale’s neighboring East Boston High School Jets (Wednesday), followed by the final preseason tune-up Friday against Manchester-Essex Regional, a program that has players from the towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, and Rockport.
Cadigan, assistant
coaches will attend Coach Bob DeFelice Stadium ceremony
Coach Cadigan said he and his staff will attend the dedication ceremony for the Coach Bob DeFelice Stadium at Miller Field, which will take place two hours before kickoff time.
“I will be there to pay tribute to Coach DeFelice on this much-deserved honor,” said Cadigan. “I will also make our players aware of this important event in our town.”