Tailback/cornerback Jaason Lopez is returning as a captain for the Magicians this season. Item File Photo
By Katie Morrison
If the Marblehead football team wishes to repeat as Northeastern Conference/North champion, it’ll have to navigate some extra-hard minefields.
That’s because the league, according to coach Jim Rudloff, is stacked.
Last year, the Magicians won the North title, but fell to Danvers, 13-6, in the Division 3 Northeast final. This year, there are some daunting foes in their path.
“There are two other teams that I think are better than us, Beverly and Danvers,” Rudloff said. “English has gotten a lot better, it could be scary. And Peabody looks good as well.”
But if the Magicians stay healthy and perform up to expectations, Rudloff is sure they can make a run at a division title.
“I think we have as good a chance as anybody,” Rudloff said. “But we may have taken a step down off the pyramid from last year, but some other teams have taken a step up. Anyone can beat anyone.”
Rudloff has a good group of seniors returning to Piper Field, led by captains Jaason Lopez, Bo Millett, Manning Sears and Harry Craig.
Lopez is compact and quick, starting at tailback offensively and cornerback on defense. Millett is an offensive tackle as well as a tight end and defensive end. Sears is a slot receiver, defensive end and outside linebacker, and Craig starts at fullback and middle linebacker.
Rudloff is also looking to senior David Campbell, an outside linebacker and wide receiver. Marblehead also brings back junior Aidan Gillis, a big part of its offense, at middle linebacker.
“I think he’s the best middle linebacker in the state,” Rudloff said. “He’s been starting since his freshman year, and he’s also a guard and a center on offense.”
There’s also Andy Clough, who stands 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds. Clough has seen time at quarterback, tight end and defensive tackle, sometimes all in the same game.
“I challenge any team to have a player who can play at both quarterback and defensive tackle in the same game,” Rudloff said.
Marblehead fields a big senior group, but not all have experience. Rudloff says the team’s strength will lie in its captains, all returning starters.
The Magicians lost NEC co-MVP Garret Keough at quarterback, but had two seniors competing to fill the role in 2016: Tom Rockett and Drew Gally.
Both saw some time behind Keough last season, but after competing all summer, the coaches decided Gally was their man.
“They competed hard all summer long in camps, in the weight room,” Rudloff said, “But watching film and evaluating both of them, we chose Drew as our starting quarterback.”
Even though the starting role is decided, Rudloff said it’s nice to have some depth at the position.
“In the past, we had a superstar at quarterback, but not much depth,” Rudloff said. “Had one of them gotten hurt, there was no depth behind him. I hope we don’t have to replace (Gally) due to an injury or something, but I’m glad to have two strong players at the position.”
Gally will have some strong options to throw to, as Rudloff says wide receiver is a position of strength. On the other hand, the offense line is somewhat inexperienced.
“We don’t have the biggest team,” Rudloff said, “and we’re thin and inexperienced at a few key positions.”
With the NEC/North looking so competitive, Rudloff knows that every game will count.
“If anyone said they knew who was going to win the NEC/North, they’re crazy,” Rudloff said. “There’s no clear favorite.”
The Magicians will be tested early, though not in a NEC game. Their season starts Friday against Walpole, one of the strongest programs in the state.