Sports 08-25-2016

From The Press Box

Number 10

By: Jim Lederman

The ‘number ten’ has been a very lucky number for the Winthrop Vikings football team.

In 2006 the Vikings had an undefeated (13-0) football team that captured a super bowl title. The quarterback was number 10 James Fucillo. James is in his first year as an assistant on coach Sean Driscoll’s staff.

In 2014, the undefeated (9-0) Vikings captured the Northeastern Conference (NEC) title. The quarterback was number 10 Dylan Driscoll – A NEC all-star and Lynn Item All-Star quarterback.

The 2006 season is number ten for coach Sean Driscoll as head coach of the Winthrop Vikings. Sean will record his 60th victory as Vikings head coach this season.

The Vikings have a veteran team returning. Will the Vikings capture the NEC title in coach Driscoll’s tenth season?

Let the Games Begin!

Skimming the Sidelines

The Vikings opened ‘camp’ last Friday. 48 players reported to Miller Field and a return to their new locker room at the sparkling new middle/high school.

We had a strong off season,” said a pleased coach Sean Driscoll. “We have 12 seniors, 10 juniors, 12 sophomores and a very strong freshmen class of 14.”

“We finished the seven-on-seven summer season capturing the title at the Marblehead seven-on-seven. The Vikings defeated Hamilton-Wenham and Lynn English to capture the title. Beverly, host Marblehead (two playoff teams in 2015), Ipswich and Masconomet competed. Our skilled players Chris Zuffante, Matt Tarantino “he looks tremendous,” lauded coach Driscoll. Jon Gonzales, Jaidon Brown, Joe Trenouth and Devin Pulsifer, played very well.

The Vikings first scrimmage is with Beverly on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Hurd Stadium in Beverly. Please note the return to Hurd Stadium. Take exit 18 off route 128 (95) North. Cross the railroad tracks and take the fifth right.

Beverly has a new coach Andrew Morency. He is an ex-Beverly player who coached Hamilton-Wenham. The Panthers were (7-4) in 2015 and lost in the playoffs.

The New Divisions

The MIAA has realigned the divisions. The Vikings are in Division 3A North. High school football ‘guru’ Dan Ventura (Boston Herald High School Sports Editor) ranks the new division 3A North. Number 1 – St. Mary’s of Lynn (8-4 in 2015), Winthrop (5-6), Lynnfield (8-3), Stoneham (6-6), Ipswich (6-5), Boston Latin (4-7), Greater Lawrence (-8-3) and Shawsheen (6-5). In Division 1 North- Everett (5-5) and St. John’s Prep (8-3) are the two top pre-season favorites. Malden (5-6) is ranked number 7. The Vikings will scrimmage Malden in the Everett Jamboree on Friday night September 2nd.

Revere (704) is rated number seven in Division One A North. Division 2A North finds two Viking opponents. Danvers (8-4) is the Vikings opening game at Danvers. Gloucester (9-2) the defending NEC South champions, will be the favorite in the NEC South.  Marblehead (9-2) is ranked number 3 in Division 2A North.

Swampscott (4-7) is in Division 3 North. The Big Blue and the Vikings will meet Friday, October 21st. A victory will be the fourth in a row for coach Driscoll over our archrivals!

Extra Points

The Vikings will play East Boston on Wednesday, August 31st at East Boston Stadium at 2:30 p.m.

The Vikings will play Malden at the Everett GBL-NEC Jamboree next Friday night, September 2nd, TBA (time to be announced).

Coach Driscoll was very pleased with the high turnout of 14 freshmen. The anticipation of joining the team and becoming a “True Viking” was visible when I watched practice on Monday. The influence of the coaching staff will be big factor, as the Vikings prepare for a new Miller Field!

The Saugus Sachems finished a disappointing (2-9) in 2015. The headline in Monday’s Lynn/Item sports page “Mavens Moise poised for a big season in Saugus.” The Sachems have nine seniors this season and captain Moise predicts a NEC title for the Sachems.

The Vikings defeated Saugus (40-12) in 2015.

The Vikings travel to Stackpole Field in Saugus on Saturday, October 15th at noon. Let’s see what team is leading the NEC South.

The address for our GPS for Hurd Stadium in Beverly is 105 Essex Street.

See you in Beverly!

Let the Games Begin!