WHS Vikings open football practice Aug. 18

By Cary Shuman

The Winthrop High School football team will open preseason practices on Friday, Aug. 18 at Miller Field.

Head coach Jon Cadigan said the team’s annual Ironman Competition will be held on Aug. 17 before the Vikings take the field for their first official practice the next day. The Ironman features strength, agility, and speed contests.

“We’re have one practice on Aug. 18 and 19, and Monday (Aug. 21) starts your typical double sessions,” reported Cadigan.

Pre-season scrimmages set

Winthrop will hold its annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage (intra-squad) on Thursday, Aug. 24 at Miller Field.

The Vikings will host Malden and Beverly Saturday, Aug. 26 in a tri-scrimmage and East Boston Wednesday, Aug. 30 in a dual scrimmage.

The Vikings will play Manchester-Essex Regional in a simulated game scrimmage Friday, Sept. 1 on the Hornets’ home field in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

The Vikings host Stoneham High in the regular season opener Friday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Field.

New captains’ selection process 

Jon Cadigan said there will be a new process for the selection of Vikings’ captains for the 2023 season.

Candidates for captain will be required to apply for a prestigious team leadership position.

“Much like you would apply for a job, each candidate has to submit a resume and two letters of recommendation (from teachers or other people),” said Cadigan. “The players and coaches will then vote for captains. I think the application process shows how serious we take being a captain here for us.”

Cadigan will announce the captains just before the Blue and Gold Scrimmage.

Sparacino joins coaching staff

Vinnie Sparacino has been added to the Winthrop staff as the wide receivers’ coach.

Sparacino is a former Viking football player. “Vinnie actually filled in for Dylan Driscoll in the 2013 Thanksgiving game versus Revere,” recalled Cadigan. “We lost the game, but Vinnie played outstanding football for his first time at QB.”

Revere leaves Pop Warner for AYF

Revere was one of the first communities in the region to begin playing Pop Warner football in the 1960s. But Revere has decided to leave Pop Warner and begin a new affiliation with American Youth Football (AYF) and Cheer this season. The West Lynn Rams are also leaving Pop Warner football in a new merger with the Lynn Chargers youth football organization. The East Lynn Bulldogs will continue to play Pop Warner football.