At some point during the first week of practice last month, Marblehead High football coach Jim Rudloff lost his voice.
That tends to happen early in the season every year, but doesn't necessarily mean Rudloff is unhappy with his team. Quite the contrary; both he and his players have high hopes for this season after a disappointing 5-6 mark in 2010.
"Everybody has been working hard in the offseason trying to get better," said Rudloff, who took the Magicians to the Super Bowl in his first year at the helm in 2009. "We all have one goal and everything points to our first game; beat Pentucket (tomorrow at home, 7 p.m.). We'll focus on one task and do that same thing every week, which takes you to the next step.
"This is a united group. The kids have a great attitude and are hard workers. We have a very large freshman class; a lot of them have been playing together since the fourth grade. Many of our older players have spent the summer training, going to camps and playing 7-on-7. We have a lot of battles going on for positions, and that's a positive as far as I'm concerned. The competition is healthy."
Once again, tailback Will Quigley figures to be a big offensive weapon. The senior captain broke Marblehead's scoring record last year with 1,342 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.
Senior captain Oliver Gregory is the fullback, but the job calling the signals is one of the most hotly-contested. Senior Gus Percy and junior Ian Maag are fighting it out for the starter's spot.
"Both are terrific athletes with strong arms and love to run. They fit right into our offensive scheme," said Rudloff. "I'm fine going with both of them all year. If they earn it, they'll play."
Percy and Maag have three experienced senior receivers to throw the ball to in Phil Coughlin, Bing Bial and Colton Dana.
One concern Rudloff does have is finding the right pieces to put a new offensive line together. The team lacks experience there, which will make Quigley's job more difficult. Senior left tackle Jeff Peras and junior center Kyle McCormack will anchor the line.
The Magicians are much more experienced on defense, especially at linebacker with three returning starters including senior captains Gregory and Joel Katz along with junior Tyler Bates. Coughlin, Bial and Quigley will be counted on in the secondary, while Peras and senior Nick Schmitt are back on the defensive line along with McCormack and junior Rajive Alcindor.
"We're counting on senior leadership to be one of our big strengths," said Rudloff. "Our size and overall speed are good. Of course, I'd like to be faster at some positions, but we have good team speed."
The Magicians will play all games on Friday nights except for Newburyport (Thursday, Oct. 6) and Thanksging Day against Swampscott.
MAGICAL MOVES
Last year's record: 5-6
Coach: Jim Rudloff (3rd year, 15-9)
Team captains: Will Quigley, Sr. TB/DB; Joel Katz, Sr. OL/LB; Oliver Gregory, Sr. FB/LB.
Top returning rusher: Quigley (1,342 yards, 15 TDs)
Top returning passer: None
Top returning receiver: Colton Dana, (13 rec., 159 yards, 3 TDs)
Last league title: 2009 (NEC Small)
Did you know?: For the first time in Marblehead history at the start of camp, there were 100 players out between freshmen and varsity. After a rigorous preseason, that number has been whittled down to 65 committed athletes.
SCHEDULE
DateOpponentTime
Sept. 9Pentucket7 p.m.
Sept. 16at Ipswich7 p.m.
Sept. 23at Winthrop7 p.m.
Sept. 30Hingham7 p.m.
Oct. 6Newburyport7 p.m.
Oct. 21at Gloucester7 p.m.
Oct. 28at Salem7 p.m.
Nov. 4at Danvers7 p.m.
Nov. 11Beverly7 p.m.
Nov. 24Swampscott10 a.m.
