Saugus to lean on senior savvy
Saugus head coach Jason Bornn kept in contact with his players — as much as possible given quarantine conditions — and attributes their dedication to the program, for how his current group has stayed together since March 16, 2020.
He recognized the group coming back has been through incredible adversity, losing a full season, prom and just being with their friends on campus. But through encouragement, he’s been happy to report the Centurions have about 50 players or so to open the season.
And after recognizing the commitment that got the team to this point, he was as pragmatic as the rest of the Foothill League coaches with respect to offensive and defensive schemes that those allowed in the stands will see this season.
“In terms of offense and defense, look — I’ll be happy if our guys can block and tackle. That’s what I’m looking for,” Bornn said a few days prior to Thursday’s season opener. “If our guys can block and tackle and protect the football, then that’s a victory for us.”
In terms of playmakers, Bornn is looking at a number of impact players on his roster, including 21 seniors, who’ll be trying to make the most of their last season.
Having a signal caller among that group, especially one with 10 starts, 2,200 passing yards and “critical game time experience plus a year to get bigger and develop and get bigger, stronger, faster” like Colton Fitzgerald has, is “absolutely critical,” Bornn said.
In the backfield, he’ll be handing off to running back Julian Bornn, who led the team in carries and tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns, in addition to more than 354 yards on the ground. He’ll share carries with sophomore Jacob Faraldo. Their coach described both running backs as having great vision, speed and hands, which will also help Fitzgerald.
The key targets for Fitzgerald will be wide receivers Sebastian Dallaire, Hunter Girch and Anthony Marchionie, Bornn added.
On the defensive side, senior linemen Seth Edwards and Zack Swartz both have the size and strength to make an impact at the line of scrimmage, and Kaiden Mathis is another senior who will be a leader for the defense from the inside linebacker position.
In the defensive backfield, Braden Salazar and Tyler Long are both expected to start at corner, with Dallaire and Cody Collier helping the team out at safety.
Bornn also mentioned a few underclassmen who could quickly have an impact on the game, including Dylan Hampsten, Vinnie Gallagher and Dario Sandoval.
With the challenges ahead, Bornn said the group will have to be especially focused this season on error-free execution of the playbook as much as possible.
“You really have to just focus in on a few things,” Bornn said, referring back to the shortened run-up to the season, “and try to do those things really, really well. And that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do.”