Published in the September 7, 2018 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — Finally, Landrigan Field will rock again.
Tonight’s season-opening game between Wakefield and Reading at Landrigan will be a fresh start for two teams looking to bounce back after unusually subpar seasons for two of the Middlesex League’s best programs.
The overall arch of 2018’s narrative feels similar for the Rockets and Warriors with a few distinctions.
Reading, after starting last year with three consecutive wins, including a 48-14 victory over Wakefield in game one, were decimated by injuries and lost their next seven to end the season. Head coach John Fiore is confident the Rockets can replace the worst record of his 14-year tenure with a team more similar to the 2016 Div. 1A Super Bowl participants.
Wakefield, after winning a share of the Freedom Division in 2016 took a step back last year with a 4-7 record.
Head coach John Rafferty knew his first year back at his alma mater would be a tough task as they replace 24 graduated seniors, but the injury bug somehow found its way down North Ave to hit the Warriors who will be without senior captain and two-way star Danny Marinaccio in addition to a few other would-be starters including senior tight end Derek Dimascio.
Leaning on senior captain quarterback Mike Lucey was always the plan for the Warriors, but the injuries compounded with plenty of youth and inexperience means the three-year starter must really step up. As is the case throughout the lineup, Wakefield will give plenty of opportunities to first-time starters. After all, only Lucey and junior safety/wide receiver Michael O’Keefe can say they’ve started for the Warriors.
In the backfield, Marinaccio’s absent will be felt, but an opportunity now rises for backs such as freshman Aidan Sweeney and junior Joe Bernabeo. The offensive line is completely new and absent any seniors as the lineup will include such promising players as juniors Taaj Andrews, Anthy DeVito, Dan LaMonica, Liam Cosgrove and sophomore Danny Hurley. Cosgrove and DeVito got spot starts as sophomores for the Warriors late last season in Gloucester. Other playmakers on offense include seniors Tommy Mottl and Billy O’Keefe, Michael O’Keefe and fellow junior Cam Souza who caught a TD pass from Lucey during last year’s tilt against the Rockets. Sophomore tight end Matt Cunningham will be asked to fill in for Dimascio.
Last year, the fully healthy Rockets flew past Wakefield at Reading High behind two touchdowns from the graduated Jack Geiger.
Reading returns quarterback and captain Matt Sannella who was forced over from wide receiver during the middle of the year. Sannella’s top target will be senior tight end and last year’s leading receiver John DiMare who broke a 75-yard touchdown on a kickoff during last year’s game against Wakefield to give Reading a commanding 21-7 lead.
The Warriors’ defense couldn’t stop the Reading rushing attack who will feature a three-headed monster this year including Vito Laurenza, Jamel Nortelus and Josh Williamson running behind a deep, talented and experienced line lead by captains Dan Bekkenhuis and Tyler Perillo.
As Rafferty has said is the focus this year, the Warriors will rely on their front four to stop the run and force Sannella to beat them with his arm.
The Wakefield defensive line includes Andrews, who flashed plenty of promise as a sophomore tackle last year. Cosgrove will fill in the other tackle spot while DeVito and Hurley will be counted on to provide pressure from defensive end.
With Marinaccio out, the linebackers will be led by junior Rob Fossett. In the backfield, safety Michael O’Keefe will call the shots along with Souza and Lucey at the other safety spot. Mottl and sophomore Tucker Stikeman will man the corners.
The reality of the situation for Wakefield is they need multiple non-starters to step up as the new staff will allow younger competitors to earn their playing time.
The odds may be stacked against the Warriors tonight, but Landrigan should provide an electric environment for the home team. It’s up to the Warriors to decide who is going to make it loud.
