PEABODY — It was in a novel called "The Alchemist" that Paulo Coelho wrote that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn. That seems like a perfect fit for a Peabody High football team determined to return the Tanner program to the golden shine it enjoyed for most of the 20th century.
That darkest moment — a shocking upset loss to Saugus last Thanksgiving — was seared into the minds of Peabody's seniors. The dawn? First light was a dedicated offseason conditioning program and, Peabody hopes, it formally begins Sept. 11 against St. John's Prep.
Six captains — Mike Garrity, Nick Vargas, George Haraktsis, Greg Celentano, Brian DeAngelis and Chris Greene — lead the Tanners into their third season under head coach Scott Wlasuk. They and 20 fellow seniors are tired of hearing that Peabody hasn't had six straight losing seasons since 1953-58 and they're out to make sure that particular streak remains history.
"I don't like to get into predicting wins and losses, but a big goal for them certainly is to have a winning season," said Wlasuk, himself a PHS alum. "The day I got this job I put the phrase 'Character breeds success' on our t-shirts and this group has really responded to that idea."
Under Wlasuk and coordinator Ed Melanson, Peabody has established an offensive identity as a smashmouth single wing running team. That'll continue as Vargas and Garrity are returning starters on the offensive line and Theo Goulas, Greene and Haraktsis are capable blockers.
Peabody's ball carriers are young, featuring a triumvirate of juniors. Nat Gaye will get the bulk of the work at running but winger Brady Doyle can tote the mail and fullback D.J. Henrick is ready for more touches. Junior quarterback Jason Hiou has the brains and footwork to make the single wing work.
On the defensive side, the Tanners are still searching for that identity. They've allowed 25 points per game the last two years and Lee Miller — Peabody's second all-time leading rusher — is back to overhaul the unit.
There's plenty of talent to work with. DeAngelis — at 6-foot-5 — will be more than a handful at end and the linebackers — Garrity, Henrick and Gaye — have the makings of a special unit. Celentano, Josh Freedman, Anthony Carpinelli and Dan Walor will fill out the secondary. Josh Greenley is another candidate at linebacker.
"We've struggled (on defense) and we've been killed by the big play," said Wlasuk. "Our focus is really fundamentals. We need guys to understand and do their job. We want 11 white hats on the football every play."
The key for this group will be how it responds to adversity. The Tanners need to keep fighting when things go wrong during a game to turn the tide of momentum. To turn the darkness into light.
LEATHER CITY LOWDOWN
Last year's record: 3-8
Head coach: Scott Wlasuk (3rd year, 7-15)
Team captains: Mike Garrity Sr., G/LB; Nick Vargas, Sr. G/NG; George Haraktsis, Sr., G/LB; Greg Celentano, Sr., WB/CB; Brian DeAngelis, TE/DE; Chris Greene, OL/DL
Top returning rusher: Brady Doyle (237 yards, 3 TDs)
Top returning passer: Jason Hiou (1-of-2, 20 yards)
Top returning receiver: Brian DeAngelis (9 catches, 117 yards)
Last league title: 2000 (Greater Boston League)
Did You Know?: Peabody hasn't had a shutout since 2006, a string of 34 games that trails only a 42-game drought from 1953-59 in school history. The 2002 team's five shutouts in 10 games are almost as many (7) as the Tanners have had in seven years since.
2010 Schedule
DateOpponentTime
Sept. 11at St. John's Prep1:30 p.m.
Sept. 17Cambridge7 p.m.
Sept. 24Swampscott7 p.m.
Oct. 1Malden Catholic7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Winthrop1 p.m.
Oct. 15Revere7 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Gloucester7 p.m.
Oct. 29at Salem7 p.m.
Nov. 5Lynn Classical7 p.m.
Nov. 12at Lynn English7 p.m.
Nov. 25Saugus10 a.m.
