SWAMPSCOTT — The doubters say that 7-on-7 football isn't football at all — it's playground stuff.
For Swampscott, which won two 7-on-7 tourneys this summer, the ultimate goals for this season were born not on that sort of playground, but on the ones around town that the senior class used to toss around the football on.
"We've been friends for maybe 12 years, coming down to the park once a week," said senior wideout A.J. Baker. "Myself, Richard Sullivan, Joe DeSalvo, Aidan Lang and Nick Meninno come out with our quarterback, Mike Walsh, and just work on our timing."
Coming off an 8-3 season in which they were a Beverly goal line stand away from the playoffs, expectations are high for the Big Blue. They have 10 starters back and a driven senior class.
"This season means everything to us. It's more than just a game," said Walsh. "We haven't won the league since 2008 and our goal is to do that — and hopefully move through the playoffs to the Super Bowl."
Swampscott has four starters back on the offensive line, including captains Sam Gold and Zach Kalapinski. Mark Lausier and Adbi Yusuf are also back up front, and they'll be looking to open holes for a new running back.
Matt Gambale, Evan Rhodes and Aaron Cronin are in the mix in the backfield, and while Walsh ran for 756 yards and 14 TDs last year, head coach Steve Dembowski would prefer to dial that back a bit.
"We really need to do a better job running the football when we want to run it," said Dembowski, beginning his 13th season. "In the bigger games, we struggled to run and that put a lot of pressure on Mike."
Walsh, also a captain, was one of most productive QBs in Eastern Mass. a year ago and has a great rapport with the explosive Baker, who has over 100 catches in his career.
"He's a weapon. A.J.'s been a premier player in this league since he was a sophomore and he's a major concern of every defense, no matter who we play," said Walsh.
Dembowski feels he "has the horses" at receiver with Bob Serino and Josh Rothwell pushing the five seniors. In Walsh, who plans to play at Brown University, Swampscott has brains at the controls, too.
"Mike has done a nice job developing his reads, understanding coverage and being more relaxed and composed," said Dembowski. "All those things should lead to him having another big year."
Defense is a concern for the Big Blue, who have linebacker Lang and tackle Michael Wynne returning among the starters. There are plenty of letter winners back, however, to fill the gaps.
"It's really a matter of settling on what scheme we're going to run and who our playmakers are going to be," said Dembowski. "We have a lot of experience back ... it's just developing the depth."
BIG BLUE BANTER
Last year's record: 8-3
Head coach: Steve Dembowski (13th year, 92-45)
Team captains: A.J. Baker, Sr., WR; Sam Gold, Sr., OL; Zach Kalapinski, Sr., OL/LB; Richie Sullivan, Sr., WR/DB; Mike Walsh, Sr., QB
Top returning rusher: Mike Walsh (756 yards, 14 TDs)
Top returning passer: Mike Walsh (2,265 yards, 21 TDs)
Top returning receiver: A.J. Baker (602 yards, 5 TDs)
Last league title: 2008 (NEC Small)
Did You Know?: Swampscott isn't playing Saugus for the first time since 1968, ending a string of 42 consecutive meetings.
2011 Schedule
DateOpponentTime
Sept. 10SomervilleNoon
Sept. 16at Winthrop7 p.m.
Sept. 23at Revere7 p.m.
Oct. 1Lynn EnglishNoon
Oct. 6Triton7 p.m.
Oct. 14at Malden7 p.m.
Oct. 21at Salem7 p.m.
Oct. 29DanversNoon
Nov. 5at Beverly1 p.m.
Nov. 12GloucesterNoon
Nov. 24at Marblehead10 a.m.
