Numbers are good for new head coach Steve Cummings
THE WMHS football team had a strong turnout on the first day of practice for new head coach Steve Cummings. There are about 100 athletes out among all four classes. (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the August 28, 2015 edition
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — A new era began for the Wakefield Memorial high football team on Monday as first year head coach Steve Cummings welcomed 68 athletes for the varsity program on the first day of practice which was for helmets only, non-contact drills.
The freshman program also had 23 members trying out, as the numbers of the entire program held steady during recent years.
“On our first day, we practiced later at night,” said Cummings. “The returning players have put in the work that needed to be done during the offseason and it was impressive to see. I’m optimistic.”
The Warriors also have some new kids in the program that played other sports and there are sophomores that have moved up from the freshman and JV teams as well. There is talent there and they will push the upperclassman for playing time.
“The numbers are great,” said Cummings. “That will make it tough to find playing time for everyone but it is a good problem to have.”
While the first day of practice went well, Cummings knows there is a lot of work to be done before the season opener against Beverly on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Landrigan Field.
“We’ll see how things go before out first scrimmage against the Voke on Saturday,” said Cummings. “The kids worked hard during the offseason and it showed. They were prepared.
“Even though it was day number one, I couldn’t be happier. We had a good first day,” continued Cummings. “They were flying around the football. We’ll work on the little things from day to day. The one thing about taking over this program is that Wakefield has been pretty strong for two decades. So we don’t have to build from the bottom up.”
The Warriors have three scrimmages scheduled before their season opener. They will take on Northeast Metro Tech tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at Landrigan Field. Wakefield’s second scrimmage is on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. against Methuen at Methuen High School. The Warriors final preseason scrimmage is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4 against Lynn English at 7 p.m. at Landrigan Field.
Wakefield opens up the season against two tough non-league foes when they play Beverly on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Landrigan Field and Abington on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Abington High School.
“We’ve scheduled Beverly and Abington for our non-league games,” said Cummings. “When we found out Beverly was available, we set up a game against them on Sept. 11. They’re a very good team.”
The Panthers are one of the best teams in the Northeastern Conference having won league titles in 1984, 1985, 1988, 2010, 2012 and 2013. The team has two Super Bowl titles which were won in 2010 and 2012.
“The emphasis will be what we do in camp before Sept. 11,” said Cummings. “If we aren’t prepared, Beverly will embarrass us on our home field.”
Wakefield’s second game is against Abington on the road. Abington plays in Div. 5, but won the state title a year ago. So the Green Wave will be a formidable foe.
“I scheduled that one on purpose so the kids know what is like being away to play against a good team. They’ll have a long trip on the bus go get there to play them,” said Cummings. “It will be a good learning experience should we have to do that in November in the playoffs such as taking a long bus ride to Lowell to play in a place they’re not familiar with. It will help the kids to mentally prepare to take on a tough opponent in a foreign setting.”
Wakefield’s Middlesex League Freedom division opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 when it hosts Watertown at 7 p.m. at Landrigan Field.
The Warriors have three straight road games against Wilmington (Friday, Oct. 2), Stoneham (Friday, Oct. 9), and Burlington (Friday, Oct. 16). The Stoneham game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff, while the Wilmington and Burlington games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Wakefield then will have a crossover game against M.L. Liberty division opponent Winchester on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Landrigan Field.
The playoffs are scheduled for the weeks of Oct. 30-Nov. 13 before the annual Thanksgiving matchup against Melrose on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 10:15 a.m. at Fred Green Memorial Field. That will be a league game with the M.L. giving up the automatic bids for the playoffs and just going by the power ratings for the qualifying teams in order to avoid an early season meeting between the Thanksgiving Day rivals.
“We have still have work to do but I’m happy after day number one,” said Cummings. “I have also received great support from the Wakefield community.”
