SAUGUS — Given everything that transpired for the Saugus football team before the season started, it would’ve been easy for the Sachems to pack it in and throw in the towel this fall.
But senior linebacker Dante McGrane and his teammates had different plans, deciding to rally around each other on their way to a 4-6 season that included a 27-6 Division 5 North quarterfinal win over Weston.
“This team is so close,” McGrane said. “Everyone is a good person and we have been through a lot this year. It’s a brotherhood. We have a mentality where we want to go to war with and put our bodies on the line for the person next us. That’s what I’m going to miss, it’s just a brotherhood and that’s why football is the best game in the world.”
On Thanksgiving, McGrane and the 2018 Sachems will have one last chance to come together when they travel to rival Peabody (4-6).
“We could have easily folded over early in the year,” McGrane said. “We’re only in high school and still we really came together this year. I hope we can finish it off on the right note Thursday.
“Personally I just want to play a good game on defense and just do the best job I can,” McGrane added. “I know it’s going to be a good game from both teams. These games always come down to who plays like the tougher team.”
Over his years in a Saugus uniform, McGrane has seen his role on the defense change for the Sachems before finding his ideal spot in his senior season.
“My freshman year I started out as a cornerback, sophomore and junior year I was an outside linebacker and had some good seasons,” McGrane said. “This year they wanted me to play safety and help out in the passing game which I was fine with, but after first couple games our defense was getting beat in the box. I moved to middle linebacker and our defense has been really good since. It’s something we take pride in.”
This year McGrane has led the team in tackles and has served as a sparkplug in the middle of the defense for the Sachems, coach Mike Mabee said.
“He’s like a throwback player, he could’ve played any generation of football,” Mabee said of McGrane. “He plays with a lot of emotion which you really love to see in a defensive player. Our team really feeds off his energy and it makes everyone on the field around him a better player.
“He has around 96 tackles for us which leads the team,” Mabee added. “He comes to practice every day and works hard and you love to see that out of one your leaders.”
McGrane believes that any success he has had is a product of the hard work the whole team has put into this year.
“I just want to have my teammate’s backs and put it on the line for them every play however I can,” McGrane said. “These guys, we are together each day and I know they would all do the same.
“They have helped me become a good leader and I really take pride in being that spark for us in certain moments,” McGrane added. “We know someone is always bringing that energy, whether it’s me one game or someone else the next. Every game every play someone is bringing it.”
With his senior season coming to a close this week, the quickly-approaching end to his high school football career isn’t a reality that has hit McGrane yet.
“I have been kind of starting to realize and think about it,” McGrane said. “Even these past couple games and going to practice this week and realizing these are the last times I’ll be putting on the pads. Overall it hasn’t really hit me yet but it’s obviously going to be an emotional day. I love this sport.
“It’s not even necessarily the games,” McGrane added. “Just being with the team in the locker room, listening to music and watching football together on Sundays. Just the stuff behind scenes is something you are really going to miss.”
Kickoff for Thursday’s game between Peabody and Saugus is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Coley Lee Field.