Every eye in the stadium is looking at them, waiting for them to bark out the signal that starts that week’s most important play. If they feel any pressure, they don’t let you see it.

You might think that a team needing to replace 1,700 rushing yards, over 1,050 passing yards, more than 850 receiving yards and 35 total touchdowns might be in trouble this fall.

Most Beverly High football historians would agree that the 1980s were the greatest decade in Panther football lore. Under legendary head coach Bill Hamor, the Orange-and-Black won 76 games, lost only 23 and tied two while capturing three Northeastern Conference titles, the first 10-win campa…

Head coach Bob Serino isn't worried about his Swampscott High football team feeling overconfident, one that returns a deep and talented senior class that was a huge part of winning a sectional title in Division 5 North last November.

The Marblehead football squad steamrolled through the Northeastern Conference regular season a season ago en route to yet another league title.

Fast, physical and like they have something to prove.

Championships are won on the gridiron, not on paper. But the Bishop Fenwick football team heads into the 2019 campaign looking so strong at just about every position that they have to be a favorite to repeat as Catholic Central League champions.

A football team can never have too much speed, and this year the Masconomet Chieftains have some real burners in the backfield.

The slogan on the back of the Gloucester football team’s practice T-shirts reads, “Success is not given, it’s earned.”

Harrison Greenslade burst on to the high school football scene as a starting sophomore for the Pingree School last fall. The talented skill player led the Highlanders with 265 receiving yards and four touchdowns for a run-heavy squad. 

Nobody is picking the Salem High Witches to win the Northeastern Conference in football this fall. But that doesn't mean they aren't capable of turning some heads. 

The Manchester Essex football team has a new-look schedule in 2019 with six brand new regular season opponents.

There are nine seniors on the Hamilton-Wenham football team getting a little impatient when it comes to getting through its Week 1 bye and arriving at the season opener against Bishop Fenwick.

Last year was a magical one for the St. John’s Prep football team, one that ended with the Eagles being crowned Division 1 Super Bowl champs at Gillette Stadium. That team was loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and the players graduation claimed left some very big shoes to fill.

Coming off of an eight-win campaign and having lost only four seniors to graduation, it's safe to say that expectations for the Ipswich High football team have been ramped up this season.

It's been a trying couple of seasons for now third-year head coach Dan Connors and his Essex Tech gridiron club. 

Team-by-team previews and features for all 13 schools in The Salem News coverage area for winter sports like boys and girls hockey, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls indoor track, swimming and wrestling.

Team-by-Team previews, facts and figures heading into the 2018 high school football season. Click on the arrows below to scroll between the lead story about local linemen to the various previews for each different high school.

Listen as Salem News sportswriter Matt Williams talks with Endicott mens basketball coach and Peabody Hall of Famer Kevin Bettencourt for the "March Madness" edition of the show. Bettencourt touches on his Gulls two NCAA tournament appearances, their first ever NCAA win and shares some memor…

Every week, the Salem News sports department chats about high school sports on the North Shore.

Every week, the Salem News sports department chats about high school sports on the North Shore.

Matt Jenkins, who has worked in The Salem News sports department for the last 17 1/2 years, talks about a wide variety of topics and experiences during his time at the newspaper in our latest Salem News Sports Podcast.

Every week, the Salem News sports department will chat about high school sports on the North Shore.