Saugus’ Marvens Moise looks to lead the Sachems in rushing in 2016. File Photo
By Harold Rivera
The 2015 season was a tough one for the Saugus High School football team. The Sachems went 2-9 on the year, failed to qualify for the playoffs and lost to rival Peabody on Thanksgiving Day. But for Marvens Moise, last season is a distant memory.
Moise, a two-way player who stars at running back and linebacker, has spent the offseason training in hopes that 2016 will be a big year for Saugus. Moise has built a routine that consists of weightlifting, speed drills and running two miles on a daily basis.
“I’m prepared for a much better year,” he said. “Our coaches put some very high expectations on us this year. We have nine returning seniors and new players that are coming to help us so I think this will be a big year.”
Moise, who described himself as more of a “power-back” than a speedster, has high expectations for himself heading into the new season.
“I’d like to be the leading rusher on the team and lead the team in tackles,” he said. “I’d like to rush for over 1,000 yards and be a Lynn Item All-Star.”
Mike Broderick, head coach of the Sachems, also has high expectations for his senior star.
“Last year he got his knee banged up and that cut his season a bit short,” Broderick said. “We’re looking for him to lead the team offensively in rushing. We’ve always had some good running backs so I hope he pushes for some records. Defensively, we missed him. We have very high expectations for him this year.”
Moise’s expectations for the team heading in 2016 are just as high. Ideally, he said he’d like to end his career with a Super Bowl championship.
“I’d like to win a championship,” he said. “But if that doesn’t happen I think we can win the NEC Small and get a banner in our school, and I want to get that win against Peabody on Thanksgiving. We haven’t beaten them in two years.”
The key to reaching those goals, according to Moise, is for the Sachems to get out to a fast start.
“This team has to start off strong,” he said. “We only have seven games in the regular season. We have an upcoming jamboree and some scrimmages where we can show that we’re back to playing. We’re not going to be a nine-loss team anymore, or anything close to that.”
Broderick said that’s the type of mentality that his players have adapted since the team began offseason weightlifting sessions in January.
“We had a rough time last season,” Broderick said. “They all had to endure it. I’ve seen them dealing with this since January in the weight room. It’s our road to redemption and all the players have an edge to them.”
Moise, who’ll enter his second season as a varsity team captain, said he appreciates being able to lead his teammates by example.
“I have to show guys how to do certain things and how to act on and off the field,” he said. “I lead by example on and off the field and that means working hard on the field and getting good grades in the classroom.”
Broderick said Moise has the qualities and characteristics that are required to be a football team captain, especially when it comes to helping the younger players on the roster.
“He’s not a ra-ra type guy,” Broderick said. “He’s very personal. He practices at one speed, and that’s full speed. He gets the job done and he gives his all to help the team be successful.”
Broderick added, “He’s a likeable kid. I don’t know anybody that doesn’t like him. He’s approachable and the younger kids don’t mind talking to him. He helps his teammates when they need to be helped.”
Although Moise may be known for being a nice guy among his teammates, his physicality makes him anything but to his opponents.
“He’s a hard-nosed kid,” Broderick said. “He’s quiet but he plays a really physical brand of football. He’s that battering-ram type of runner and he hits the hole hard on defense. He’s put on about 15 pounds this offseason and we’re looking for a big season from him.”
With those high expectations, Moise said he and the Sachems are ready to deliver.
“We have a lot of tough kids,” he said. “Last year was just a bump on the road. I believe everybody’s ready to play.”