Opening night.
There's not a football helmet on the North Shore that has a scuff mark from banging into an opponent's facemask, and every uniform remains without blemishes. The marching band's brass has a bit more bluster right now, while the football field's grass is emerald green and untrampled.
No matter what your hometown team or alma mater did on the gridiron last year, hope springs eternal.
Here's one reason to feel good about each of the 13 teams this newspaper covers, because — for now, at least — we're all undefeated:
¢BEVERLY: Roger Day and Joe Wioncek. The latter, a senior quarterback, gives the Panthers the ability to go to a full-throttle passing attack if a defense has the right look. The former, the new BHS offensive coordinator, has the experience to know exactly when to do just that.
¢BISHOP FENWICK: The spread offense. Can you think of a team that has pulled the trigger to a full-time spread offense and hasn't been better off for it? Didn't think so.
¬¢DANVERS: Zach Ryan. New head coach Sean Rogers says Ryan probably won't ever leave the field — he kicks and punts for the Falcons as well as playing tight end and defensive end — and the senior co-captain is mature enough to handle the responsibilities.
¢HAMILTON-WENHAM: Versatility and health. A rash of injuries last year proved that Dylan Keith can play almost any position and got guys like Jimmy Love valuable experience. Odds also say the Generals will finally be able to avoid the injury bug.
¬¢IPSWICH: What's the most contagious syndrome in football? Winning. The Tigers tasted the dish last Thanksgiving — and now they want more. Much more. That desire alone is enough to push Ipswich back to relevance in the Cape Ann League Small — and the skill of quarterback Brendan Gallagher will help, too.
¢MARBLEHEAD: Ben Koopman. When you're replacing an incredible quarterback as the Magicians are in Hayes Richardson, there's not much better than a mammoth, athletic lineman protecting the new guy's blind side. Tailback Will Quigley, who had a great sophomore debut, is a reason for Headers to be optimistic, too.
¢MASCONOMET: Strength. Coach Jim Pugh helps oversee the best in-house offseason lifting program around, so you know the Chieftains offensive and defensive lines will reload. Skilled youngsters Kurt Hunziker and Ben Panunzio help, too.
¢NORTH SHORE TECH: Jordan Smith. The 6-foot-4 receiver is fully recovered from last year's injury issues and is nothing short of a match-up nightmare in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference.
¢PEABODY: Versatility. The Tanners were a one-man show last year, but 6-foot-5 tight end Brian DeAngelis plus the coming of age of fullback D.J. Henrick and running backs Nat Gaye and Brady Doyle will change all that this fall.
¬¢PINGREE: Cliches, namely the one that says defense wins championships. The Highlanders "D" is loaded — linebackers Will Walfield, Brendon Oliver and Brian Rogers are the most fearsome trio around.
¢SALEM: Antonio Reyes. Last year's NEC Large Defensive Player of the Year is like having Jason Taylor and Ray Lewis rolled into one patrolling the middle of the field.
¬¢ST. JOHN'S PREP: Tyler Coppola. The shifty senior could be the Eagles' version of Brian Westbrook — capable of running between the tackles while also lining up at receiver for screens and conventional patterns. He's a pretty good corner, too.
¬¢SWAMPSCOTT: Hunger. The Big Blue have zero interest in watching a season slip away in the final minute of Thanksgiving Day again. They also boast the talent and coaching to harness that burning fire — not to mention the deepest receiving corps the area's seen in eight years.
• • •
The tempo at Swamspcott's training camp was the highest its been in years as the Big Blue are still stinging from last year's holiday loss to rival Marblehead.
"It was the best camp as a varsity team we've had since I've been here," said Patrick Coston, one of three senior captains. "We had a different mentality; it felt like we had more fire in a sense."
"Everyone was flying around. It was fast," fellow captain Mark McMahon agreed.
The Big Blue could use all their quarterbacks — Brian Sullivan, Mike Walsh and Jermaine Kelly — tonight against a Gloucester team said to have the best defense the Fishermen have boasted in years.
The receiving corps of Peter Yasi (the other Swampscott captain), Coston and A.J. Baker is excellent, and running back Phil Larkin has explosive potential. The key will be the Big Blue's ability to give them time to operate against a Fishermen front that features all-state talents Chris Unis and Andrew Mizzoni.
In last year's season opener, Gloucester handed Swampscott just the second shutout of the Dembowski era.
"We have 8-9 core guys with experience, but the bottom line is in that game we didn't play well and we didn't coach well," said coach Steve Dembowski. "We'll be better prepared."
• • •
All four of Peabody's primary ball carriers are juniors, as Jason Hiou takes over at quarterback and Nat Gaye moves to running back. Brady Doyle (wingback) and D.J. Henrick (fullback) are returning starters, but they'll both be counted on for a lot more carries.
"It's a concern because they're young, but they're mature and we think they can handle it," said Tanner coach Scott Wlasuk. "Who knows? Maybe we're a year away from putting up big offensive numbers — but we'll find out soon."
• • •
There's been talk of the domination Gloucester is likely to bring in the NEC/CAL "Tier 2" that they've been placed in starting next fall in the new superleague that's been created. For sure, the Fishermen are a juggernaut, but it's worth noting that nine of their last 14 conference losses have come against future Tier 2 opponents. Swampscott has beaten Gloucester five times since 1995, while Beverly and Danvers each boast two.
The "big" schools Gloucester won't be facing in the second tier like Lynn Classical and Lynn English have managed just one win each against them in the last 15 years.
• • •
Just a reminder to follow our staff on Twitter (@salemenwssports; @MattWilliams_sn; @MikeGrenier_sn; @MattJenkins_sn; @PhilStacey_sn; @DanHarrison_sn) for up-to-the-minute updates from games we'll be covering on the gridiron this fall.
The staff here at The Salem News has a combined 100 years of experience covering high school sports, and we remain on the cutting edge of the best ways to get you, our loyal readers, the coverage and analysis you crave. Nobody does it better — and we hope you're looking forward to football season as much as we are.
• • •
Moving the Chains, a column on North Shore high school football, runs every Friday during the fall season in The Salem News. Contact Matt Williams at MWilliams@salemnews.com or 978-338-2669.
