If football games are truly won in the trenches, then Scott Connolly and the Salem Witches should feel pretty good about their chances this fall.
Although Connolly had to say goodbye to star players Brad Skeffington and Antonio Reyes, among others, at the conclusion of last season, he finds himself in an unusual position this time around.
"I'm just happy that we have the whole offensive line back. We didn't lose anyone," said Connolly, whose team is coming off of its first winning season (6-5) since 1999. "I think it's the first time I've had that as a coach.
"Obviously the loss of Brad and Antonio is hard to replace, but the line is clicking and they played well at the end of last year."
Leading the offensive line will be senior captains Tom Shute, Wilson Jiminez and Fernando Cabrera. Shute is a tackle, Jiminez a guard, and Cabrera is making the move from tackle to tight end this season. Shute and Jiminez are also defensive tackles while Cabrera will play defensive end.
Joining that trio in a captaincy role is senior wide receiver/free safety Nick Paine.
Cabrera is expected to fill the offensive void left by Reyes. Cabrera earned his time last year at tackle because Connolly felt he needed the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder in the lineup somewhere. This season he takes over the tight end spot occupied by Reyes last fall.
He may end up being a big target for new starting quarterback Christian Dunston.
The junior will be taking over for Skeffington as a first-year starter, but he's already playing with the confidence of a veteran.
"He's such an athlete. He's quick, shifty, elusive and runs it very well," Connolly said about Dunston, who was also the starting point guard on the Salem High basketball team last year. "He's also got a nice arm and he's accurate.
"But we'll definitely do some different things. Brad was there for 2 1/2 years and he knew the offense like the back of his hand. Christian worked with him and got to know it. He's coming along well and we're definitely not taking a step down with him."
Junior Brendan Broderick is also a name Connolly expects Salem football fans to become familiar with this season. Broderick should account for many of the tackles that were accumulated by Reyes last year at the middle linebacker position.
Senior running back Edwin Alcantara has also had a strong camp for the Witches.
Playing in the newly formed NEC/CAL Tier 2, Connolly is not completely sure what to expect. He's intent on keeping the focus on his team and not worrying about what the rest of the league is doing.
"Our major goal is always about team unity. We want to come together as a team," said Connolly, whose team ended last season with an upset win over eventual Super Bowl champion Beverly. "I think the conference is very competitive. We've got Marblehead, Swampscott, Gloucester, Danvers and Beverly (in our tier) and we're excited. But you need momentum going into those games and that starts with the first game (against Peabody)."
WITCHES BREW
Last year's record: 6-5
Head coach: Scott Connolly (8th year, 25-51)
Team captains: Nick Paine (Sr., WR/FS), Tom Shute (Sr., OT/DT), Fernando Cabrera (Sr., TE/DE), Wilson Jiminez (Sr., OG/DT)
Top returning rusher: Christian Dunston (42 yards, 0 TDs)
Top returning passer: Dunston (1-for-3, 14 yards, 0 TDs)
Top returning receiver: None
Last league title: 1999 (Northeastern Conference)
Did You Know?: Antonio Reyes, now playing junior college football in California, graduated last spring as the Salem High all-time leader in tackles.
2011 Schedule
DateOpponentTime
Sept. 9at Peabody7 p.m.
Sept. 16at Masconomet7 p.m.
Sept. 23Archbishop Williams7 p.m.
Sept. 30Revere7 p.m.
Oct. 7Lynn Classical7 p.m.
Oct. 14Lynn English7 p.m.
Oct. 21Swampscott7 p.m.
Oct. 28Marblehead7 p.m.
Nov. 4at Gloucester7 p.m.
Nov. 11at Danvers7 p.m.
Nov. 24Beverly10 a.m.
