Sports 07-30-2015

From the Press Box

Seven-on-Seven

By Jim Lederman

The summer heat can be tough on high school athletes. The 2015 WHS Vikings are defending NEC football champions.

Coach Sean Driscoll and the Vikings have been working extra hard to get in shape for the 2015 campaign.

Despite 80-90 degree heat the team has had two successful ‘Seven-on-Seven’ competitions in Exeter, New Hampshire and at Bishop Fenwick in Peabody – ‘Under Armour” has sponsored the tourney.

“I am pleased with the commitment and we have progressed in every game,” said a pleased coach Driscoll. The competition features the skilled players.

“We lost in the final second to Danvers. WE play the Falcons in our opener and we will be ready.”

Co-captains Matt Feeley and Dan Dellano lead the seniors. Junior quarterback Chris Zuffante has looked sharp. Matt Tarantino and soph standout Jon Gonzales and Jaidon Brown have been keys to the offense.

Football camp opens August 24th; the first scrimmage is at Beverly on Saturday morning, August 29th.

On Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, the East Boston Jets invade Miller Field. The Vikings will play Medford in the GBL-NEC Jamboree on Friday, Sept. 4th at Everett High School.

The traditional Labor Day scrimmage will take place at the new Manning Field. St. Mary’s of Lynn will be the Vikings opponent.

Fighting Fishermen

The trip to Gloucester is always full of memories. Last week at the Jonas Gray football camp at Manning Field, I had the chance to renew the long rivalry, speaking with two Gloucester coaches.

Friday night, Oct. 9th, the 2015 Vikings will travel in the Viking Pride ‘blue bus,’ for the long trip up route 128 to the new Newell Stadium.

Coach Sean Driscoll predicts Gloucester will be the team to beat in the Conference.

The trip to Gloucester will give Viking fans a look at the $3.8 million “New Balance Track and Field at Newell Stadium.”

The new stadium was built in 2013. Gloucester football fans are very passionate. Vikings fans have many memories of exciting games with the Fishermen.

I would always look forward to working in the ‘ Press Box’ with Dr. Bob Blatchford, the ‘announcer. Dr. Bob, a true professional and good friend passed away a few years ago.

The October re-match of archrivals could be a crucial game for the next NEC champion.

Let the Games Begin!

Road Trips

A look at the 2015 Viking football schedule for the season. The longest trip will be on Friday night, Sept. 18th.

The Vikings play a non-league battle with the Medfield Warriors. Medfield, for many Viking fans make plans for along night on route 128 and route 109.

I will give you tips on the best way to travel to Medfield. I have been there many times, I had customers in Medfield. The Warriors are a very strong team and it will be a tough game for the Vikings. Medfield is the home of Curt Schilling. Plan on one and a half hours on a Friday night.

Medfield and Gloucester will be two of the strongest teams on the 2015 Vikings schedule.

Let the Games Begin!

WANT – Where Are They Now?

Jamie Keough – Ex-Viking all-star on the 1978 NEC champions lives in Marblehead. His son Garrett is a three-sport standout for the Magicians. He will be the Marblehead quarterback this September.

Craig Nolan – Ex-Viking all-star goaltender on the 1985 NEC champions, has a son Craig Nolan Jr. He is a “Magician’ football player.

Tony Honan – Ex WHS football player lives in Minnesota – Tony is a successful international businessman. He will return to Winthrop for a class reunion in September.

Will and Patrick Milano – Two Viking all-star football players are living and working in Florida. Will tossed 31 touchdown passes for coach Sean Driscoll!

Ira Yauner – Ex-Viking fullback, had a very successful coaching career at Manchester and Wakefield. Ira lives in Gloucester and will be at Newell Stadium in October.

Mike Condakes – NEC all-star center of the 1982 Vikings hoop team. Played at Suffolk University and now lives in Dedham.

Paul Pearl – NEC all-star hockey player, played and coached at Holy Cross. Associate head coach at Harvard University, a member of the WHS Hall of Fame, Paul lives in Wakefield.

Trivia

Trivia: Answer – the three

Basketball courts in Winthrop Center. Brookfield Road presently the playground at Ingleside, Walden Street, site of Larsen Rink at the Michael Eruzione Center and the McKenna Courts on Walden Street.

Can you name the Heisman Trophy recipient who played football vs. Winthrop High School?

Can you name ex-Viking hockey players who skated for Ivy League schools – Harvard and Yale University?

Speaking of the prestigious Ivy League, name ex-Viking football standouts who played at Cornell, Princeton Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania?

 

Number 45

Boston Sports fans have been blessed watching many great athletes. Pedro Martinez standout in the long list.

I have been very fortunate to have watched Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Doug Flutie, David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez play in person.

Pedro and ‘Big Papi’ were born in the Dominican Republic. They led the Boston Red Sox to the 2004 World Series title, in a memorable four game comeback to beat the hated New York Yankees 4 games to 3.

We salute Pedro for his induction into the ‘Hall of Fame.’ Boston and New England, Home of the World Champions.

Let the Games Begin!

 

Winthrop at softball camp in Lynn

Winthrop High School softball coach Dave Guffey (back row, far right) served as the pitching instructor at the Diamonds in the Rough Softball Camp in Lynn. Guffey is pictured with the many youths who came from all over the North Shore to learn softball pitching techniques from the highly regarded Viking softball mentor whose teams are perennial qualifiers for the MIAA State Tournament.

Winthrop had a delegation of youth softball players participating in the Diamonds in the Rough Softball Camp this week in Lynn. Pictured at a camp session Tuesday, from left, are parent John Ribeiro and players Marino Ribeiro, Caleigh Petersen, Ally Ellsworth, Gabriella Ribiero, Stephanie Strangie, and Emily Creador.