Indeed, as a result of the 2009 success, more kids than ever came out for the varsity program hoping to be a part of the kind of buzz generated by that 2009 team. In one sense, to some, it would be inaccurate to say that the 2010 squad didn't fall short of expectations. After all, the expectations are always high after winning and there is always a sense of unfinished business when the championship game is lost. That is the burden that the 2010 team began the season with and maybe still carries into their Thanksgiving game this year in North Lynn, er, Swampscott.
But is that fair? The Pix thinks not. First of all, the 2010 seniors had as many impact players as juniors last year as the '09 seniors. And we'll get to them in a moment. In addition, with a victory this Thursday at Poseur Field (what, that's not what it's called?) Marblehead will finish the season with exactly the same conference record as the Super Bowl team. So when one looks at this squad through a two year prism, their accomplishments are better put into perspective. Simply put, this is the best two year run the town has had in many years........and quite possibly ever.
Marblehead football is on the map again, and before the Pix gets to some individual shout outs, let's acknowledge some of the folks who are responsible (other than the players, of course) for this phenomenon.
Let's star with Bill Richardson, who has to be considered Godfather of the current crop of players. Let's take a brief trip back to the mid 1970's. There were 12 youth football teams at the time and we all played intra town games. That means at any given time, there were 12 kids playing quarterback and 36 to 46 kids getting to practice at running back. Then the black plague of Soccer came along and the youth football program went the way of Milli Vanilli. The Pix doesn't remember exactly for how long, but football as a youth sport in this town went away.......and for some time. The Pix vaguely remembers people like Frank Irons and Chris McGrath coaching youth teams..........holding things together with dental floss and mirrors.....but it wasn't until Bill Richardson and people like Bruce Bial and Todd Norman got involved that youth football a became relevant again in this town. Skip ahead to last Thursday at Piper field when the Superbowl 6th and 8th grade kids got introduced at halftime (congratulations to both teams who won their respective championships the next Saturday) and consider how far the program has come. Marblehead youth football coaches used to be on the endangered species list, and now you can't walk down Atlantic avenue without bumping into a dad proudly wearing the colors of the program. The next time you see these guys, or the James brothers, or Chip Percy, or Pie Morris, you may want to congratulate them on such a great rebuilding job. And that is just one reason why........
The 2010 team walks into Swampscott this year with a little swagger. On November 12th, these kids played by far the best game they have played all year. QB Danny Colbert opened the offense with a 55 yard pass to #20 Will Quigley and the tone was set for the rest of the night. If The Magicians play this Thursday like they did against Winthrop.........the little blue loses.
Swampscott always has a high powered offense and excellent coaching. But the Pix thinks the Marblehead "D" matches up extremely well. Starting with the three headed beast on the line. #78 Ben Koopman, #77 Liam Gilliland and #70 Nick Broughton bring more beef and experience to the front than we have seen in a long time. Gilliland, in particular, has been an absolute animal this year. If Swampscott doubles any of these guys (and every team doubles Koop), look for Nick and hybrid rusher #11 Matt Perlow (off to Bowdoin next fall.....congratulations, Matt) to make some big plays in the backfield. If the pressure the Pix expects gets applied, Quigley and #2 Ryan Stanojev (or as Scott Zolak says, "Stoyanojiv") are going to be taking multiple passes in the wrong direction. And when Swampscott tries to then go to the ground (not their strength), they will be met by the most improved group on the Marblehead side......their young and rapidly maturing linebackers.
Led by senior #42 Josh Freedland, the linebacking corps has been lighting people up as the season has progressed. #52, Oliver Tuna Gregory has been his usual outstanding self, but it is the play of #55 Tyler Bates and #54 Joel Katz recently that has the Pix looking forward to some Matt Evans like hits this Thursday. And Freedland, playing with a cast on his hand for much of the season, reads offenses as well as anyone in the conference.
On offense, #20 Quigley has been all world this year. The Pix has no idea what the statistics are, but the guess here is that Will has averaged over 200 yards per game total offense (including special teams). He never goes down after the first hit, protects the rock and can take it to the house from anywhere. The aforementioned #4 is peaking at the right time, too. Danny throws the flag pattern perfectly, and can dish it to Perlow, #9 Colton Dana, or Stano. Speaking of Ryno, #2 has done just about anything a coach can draw up in one season. Running back kickoffs for touchdowns, coming in at quarterback to run the wildcat.........chasing down opponents to stop a big play.....the kid has just been everywhere.
Another big addition to the team has been the return to football of #21, Oliver Kim. Ollie has a division one college leg (The Pix thinks he could kick a 45 yard field goal) and has also subbed in beautifully at running back and linebacker. Not to mention that Marblehead opponents have had horrible field position to start most games thanks to Oliver's blasts.
As the Pix wrote last year before the Super Bowl game, for this year's seniors, this may be the last time they buckle the chin straps and throw on the pads. Kids like Koop, Broughton, Gilliland, Danny, Stano, Hunter and Alex Whitmore, The Duse, Asainte, Justin Burnett, Leclair......these guys have been playing together for a long time. And on Thanksgiving, it will be the last time they play together. For the parents of these kids, this will also be a special day. As Kenny Chesney wrote,
"They didn't just let anybody in that club
It took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game-day jerseys down the hall
The kings of school, man, we're the boys of fall".
No offense intended, but Kenny isn't singing about the glee club. Football is America's game. Thanksgiving the highest American holiday. And our boys of fall take to the gridiron one last time this Thursday. To the coaches, the parents, the students in the stands...........to everyone who wears the Red and Black.......the Pix says Happy Thanksgiving.
To Danny, Josh, Matt, Nick, Will, Ryan, Liam, Oliver......to all of you......
Make sure you look around you before the game and take it in. We are all there for you. All the weights you lifted, all the sprints you ran, all the plays you memorized. This is your reward. The Thanksgiving day game. Every proud parent, every proud former coach, all your friends, neighbors and kids wearing their youth jerseys...........are there for you. Look around. You did this. Be very, very proud of yourselves.
And go kick a little ass if you feel like it.
Go Marblehead.
Happy Thanksgiving 11/25/10.
