It's nothing he can control, but like most football coaches in small towns, Ipswich High's Ted Flaherty worries about families moving out during the offseason.
The best football blueprint in the country can be tossed into the fireplace if a couple of key kids get injured or their families relocate. That's the harsh reality of having small numbers.
"We can't afford to lose anybody at a school like ours," said Flaherty, who is starting his seventh season with the Tigers.
Flaherty is feeling particularly fortunate this year. He was already counting on a good season with the players he was familiar with and now that core group will be bolstered by three players who have moved into town and a freshman quarterback from Danvers who is going to Ipswich via school choice.
"They're all going to be significant contributors to our program this season or in the (near) future," said Flaherty, whose team made a dramatic improvement last year, going 4-6 in the aftermath of a 31-game losing streak from 2007-2009.
Flaherty can't wait to put the newcomers to the test.
The Conway brothers, David and Jared, moved in from Richmond, Virginia. David, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore, looms as a starter at offensive and defensive tackle while Jared, a freshman will get seasoning on the freshman team as a two-way lineman.
Then there's junior Brendan Sweeney, whose family relocated from Franklin for job reasons. Sweeney, 6-1, 205, looks like he'll fit in right away as a guard and outside linebacker.
The novice who has the potential to make the greatest impact is Nick Andreas, the freshman from Danvers who went to school in Ipswich as an eighth grader last year. Flaherty has the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Andreas penciled in as his starting quarterback.
"He has a rocket for an arm and he did a really nice job in the 7-on-7 (passing league) this summer," Flaherty said. "You can tell he's been very well-coached and that he studies the game. He's been to the Peyton Manning-Eli Manning camp in Louisiana, the Football University Camp in Westwood and (Top Gun) camp in Virginia. He's very coachable and he has technique. We're excited about him."
Andreas shouldn't feel pressured to carry the load. The Tigers have a solid nucleus returning on offense, including Louis Galanis (5-11, 170), who is switching from tailback to wide receiver/running back; senior wingback Cam Murray (5-9, 165), who is the team's fastest player; all-league center and team captain Chris Desmond (5-7, 150); junior tackle Mike Dillon (6-0, 245); senior guard Peyton Primack (5-7, 175); junior running back Peter Moutevelis (5-11, 180); sophomore fullback Derek Chamberlain (5-11, 190) and sophomore wide receiver Nate Glaster (5-10, 150).
Defensively, junior John Elnagger (6-0, 182) will be a "major factor" at outside linebacker, said Flaherty.
Junior Chris McCormack (5-11, 195) will start at linebacker and tight end and senior Patrick Curran (5-11, 170) is a safety and wide receiver. Junior Tucker Reedy may get the nod at one of the cornerback spots and senior Brenden Gallagher is a strong safety. Galanis (free safety) and Dillon (nose guard) will also play prominent roles on defense.
"The toughest kids in the school are the football players," said Flaherty. "They have an edge to them and they like to hang around each other. Rather than look for big plays, I think this team has a better chance of controlling the line of scrimmage, leading to sustained drives. Defensively, we're looking for more three-and-outs."
The Tigers aren't just looking to go over .500 for the first time since 2006. They have higher ambitions than that.
"We're looking to win (Tier) four in the Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference," said Flaherty. "We really feel we can compete for the title."
TIGER TALES
Last year's record: 4-6
Head coach: Ted Flaherty (7th season, 21-44)
Team captain: Chris Desmond, Sr. C
Top returning rusher: Louis Galanis (271 yards, 2 TDs)
Top returning passer: None
Top returning receiver: Louis Galanis (61 yards, 0 TDs)
Last league title: 2006 (CAL Smal)
Did You Know?: Ipswich has run the same offense, the Delaware Wing-T, for close to half a century. Coach Flaherty thinks it might be the longest, or one of the longest, continual schemes in the country.
2011 Schedule
DateOpponentTime
Sept. 16Marblehad7 p.m.
Sept. 23at Triton7 p.m.
Oct. 1at Pentucket2:15 p.m.
Oct. 6at Amesbury7 p.m.
Oct. 14at Newburyport7 p.m.
Oct. 21Lynnfield7 p.m.
Oct. 29at Georgetown1 p.m.
Nov. 4at Manchester-Essex7 p.m.
Nov. 11North Reading7 p.m.
Nov. 24Hamilton-Wenham10 a.m.
