By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
It will be back to basics for the Nantucket High School football team this season. With well-documented struggles over the last few seasons and another low preseason turnout, the Whalers coaching staff is working with simple schemes to get the program back to a competitive level.
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Photos by Nicole Harnishfeger
The Nantucket High School football team runs a lap in full pads before practice Monday evening. Only 28 players turned out for preseason practices which started Aug. 18. The squad will take the field at home for a preseason scrimmage against Cape Cod Tech and Nauset Saturday, Sept. 6. |
“We are at ground zero right now. The last few years have been a disaster and I think it is going to take a little time before Nantucket becomes respectable again. I think we have to be patient and go slow. We have simplified the system offensively and defensively,” head coach Vito Capizzo said.
The Whalers finished at 3-6 last season, including a 3-2 mark in the Mayflower Small.
“I have high expectations that our kids can compete at that level. However, it is a numbers game. We don’t have the numbers right now. We hope that some of these people come out when school starts or earlier,” Capizzo said.
A controlled scrimmage against Nauset and Cape Cod Tech is scheduled on Nantucket next Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m., before the Whalers open the regular season Saturday, Sept. 13 at Dover-Sherborn.
Twenty-eight players have turned out for preseason practices, but coaches are hoping more will come out once school starts next week. There are 13 freshmen, who will be delegated to an all-freshmen squad this season, while the remaining 15 upperclassmen will play the varsity schedule. Eight of the 15 upperclassman have varsity experience from last season.
“You can only put 11 guys on the field, but if we have an injury, we only have 15 boys, it’s pretty difficult to sub. Most of our kids as usual have to play both ways, unfortunately,” Capizzo said.
When Capizzo came to Nantucket to accept the job as head football coach 45 years ago, he took over a team with 17 players and no playbook. Forty-five years and 293 wins later, he is returning to his plan of the early years by instilling very basic offensive and defensive schemes for his players to learn.
“I felt personally we had too many plays and the kids were having a difficult time understanding what plays to run,” Capizzo said. “I want these kids to know their plays inside and out and I think this is something that got away from me.”
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
Quarterback Chris Welch hands off to Josh Butler during drills at Monday night football practice. |
Senior quarterback Chris Welch returns to anchor the Whalers offense this season in his second season as the varsity starter. The passing game struggled last season as Welch had little time to throw out of the pocket.
“In order for him to be accurate, I have to roll him out and protect him somewhat,” Capizzo said.
To keep the defense from keying on the roll-out play, improvement on the offensive line is a priority this preseason.
“We had to make some changes as far as the blocking to make it simple. I think we were too complicated (last year) and after watching films I don’t think they knew who to block,” Capizzo said.
Zatrick Pinkney and Rasheed Smith will line up at offensive tackle with Mack McGrath and Curren Huyser at the guard slots. Eddie Moreau will be responsible for the snaps from center.
Welch will look to top receivers Matthew Marrett, Troy Sullivan and Josh Butler.
The Whalers have a strong returning backfield this season with Hunter Day at running back/fullback and Jamie Viera at halfback. Smith could also see some time at fullback, Capizzo said.
“I think our strength will be in the backfield. They have the experience. The problem is they have to play both ways and they have to be in shape. We definitely have to avoid any type of injury, even a hangnail,” Capizzo said.
Practicing in only helmets and shorts for the first week of preseason, the Whalers have spent little time on defense so far this preseason. Keeping with the simple theme, expect to see a 4-4 basic scheme with simple stunts. McGrath and Smith will hold the middle of the defensive line, with Huyser at defensive end. The other defensive end slot is still up for grabs.
Day and Viera will see time at middle linebacker with Sullivan at outside linebacker. While it is customary for the Whalers’ quarterback to play only offense, Welch could see time at safety this season with Marrett and Butler at the corners.
“We have been burned so much in the secondary, that has to improve, but we also have to improve at defensive-end play because we haven’t been able to put any pressure on the quarterback whatsoever,” Capizzo said.
The Whalers will again compete in the Mayflower Small league this season, their third in the division. Last season Nantucket was 3-2 in the league, losing to dominant West Bridgewater as well as Avon/Holbrook.
The Whalers will look for revenge against West Bridgewater Nov. 15 on the road as a warm-up for the annual Island Cup game against Martha’s Vineyard Nov. 22.
As part of the non-league schedule, Nantucket will open the season at Dover-Sherborn Regional High School Sept. 13. The Raiders struggled through an 0-10 season last fall, but are under the direction of a new coach this season.
Next up is a trip to Cape Cod Tech Sept. 20. The recent Mayflower Large power lost 23 seniors from last year’s squad. Former Large rival Blue Hills is back on the schedule this season, slated for the night home opener Friday, Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
The Whalers will open league play against Diman at home Oct. 10.
“I want to see our kids play well and be competitive. That’s my only expectation. We have to start somewhere and I feel if our kids play and have commitment and believe in themselves, I think we are going to be OK,” Capizzo said.
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