The Vikings will host Manchester-Essex in a simulated game scrimmage Friday at 11 a.m. at Miller Field.
In preseason action last Saturday, Nich Cappuccio rushed for a 40-yard touchdown in the Vikings’ scrimmage against Beverly and Malden.
Coach Cadigan was very pleased with the Vikings’ passing game. “Matt Noonan made a lot of strides in the offseason, and he was terrific throwing the ball and making stuff happen outside the pocket in our scrimmage,” credited Cadigan. “You can tell that he’s more comfortable outside the pocket this year, and I attribute that to his experience.”
Winthrop will open its season against Stoneham in a rare Saturday night game (Sept. 7) at Woburn High School.
“Stoneham is always one of the tougher teams in the division,” said Cadigan. “We beat them in Week 1 last year, and then they were one of the hotter teams and made it all the way to the Final Four where they lost to Salem (a team the Vikings had beaten in dramatic fashion on an 82-yard Noonan to Cappuccio touchdown pass). There’s no illusion to what Stoneham does. It’s a great test for us, and we figure out right off the bat where we stand in Division 6. I like our team a lot. They’re coming ready to practice and ready to play.”