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Salem (MA) Witches Football '06

Thu, Nov 23, 2006 10:00 AM @ Beverly
Team Final
Salem (MA) 7
Beverly 28
Anthony Silva of Salem lets the ball slip through his hand on a pass as Greg Pierce of Beverly defends him on fourth down during the Thanksgiving day game between the two teams, held at Hurd Stadium in Beverly on Thursday, November 23, 2006. Beverly won the game, 28-7. » Michael Sperling, Staff Photographer

Salem seniors stand proud after successful season

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Friday, August, 24 By Phil Stacey
Sports editor

BEVERLY | They had emerged from two winless seasons in the previous three years to have this, the most successful Salem High football campaign since 1999.

So forgive the Witches' seniors if they were understandably despondent over yesterday's 28-7 loss to arch rival Beverly at Hurd Stadium, one that not only saw them end their year at 5-5, but also end their careers.

Many of the Salem players were openly crying; not so much in frustration of losing on this miserable, rainy day, but more in the fact that their family | the Salem High football family | would be no more.

"It hurts. It really hurts," said captain Cedric Ashley. "To have worked so hard to make this season what it was and no have it be over ... it's hard to describe. It's too bad we had to lose this final game."

His fellow captain, Anthony Silva, scored the Witches' only touchdown yesterday on a 12-yard toss from quarterback Nick Charlton. He, too, fought back tears after the game. "I don't think any of us will ever forget the friends we've made through this team," said Silva. "The fact that it's over ... I don't want to think about it."

Franklin Abreu, a three-sport star for the Witches in football, basketball and baseball said this year's team was "the best experience in my career in all sports" because of all the groundwork that went into getting ready for this fall, beginning during the offseason.

"Everything we did, we did as a team. That's why we were successful," said Abreu. "It stinks to end it like this, but we can leave here knowing we gave our heart and soul on this field today."

Beverly seniors say 'Keep it going' Beverly's outgoing senior class, meanwhile, stressed the need for their younger teammates to keep the Panther fire burning bright after the team record its best season (9-1) in eight years.

"This group of kids ... me, J. Michael (Nardella), Pat (Bailey), Matt (McAniff), guys like that ... have been together since the third grade. To go from 4-7 our first two years to 5-5 last year and now this, that's just awesome," said senior linebacker Nate Verry. "We helped set the attitude here that the program wants. Now, (the underclassmen) know what it takes to keep it going." "What we've done here is something special," added Nardella. "The guys who will be seniors next year know it's up to them to keep the legacy alive | and strive for even better things."

Panther patter

Beverly has now beat Salem four straight times for the first time since 1952-55. They lead the all-time series, 52-49-7. ... Keep your eye on Beverly's Rashad Sims in the future. The sophomore outside linebacker caused a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by teammate Kevin Thomasson, setting up the hosts' third touchdown. ... Quarterback Nick Tanzella praised the play of juniors Liam Blodgett and Brian Kureta up front ... Beverly defensive coordinator Art Iryzk got a chance to coach against his son, Salem High freshman Shane Iryzk, yesterday. ... Dating back to the middle of last season, Beverly has won 14 of its last 15 football games. ... Beverly High head coach Dan Bauer has never lost to Salem, beating them in each of his first four tries. His teams have outscored the Witches 99-19 during that time. ... Senior defensive tackle Sean Lloyd and Nardella both recorded sacks yesterday. ... Nice to see senior Chris Austin get into the game and carry the ball on Beverly's final series, as he rushed for a 1-yard gain.

Witches' brew BEVERLY | They had emerged from two winless seasons in the previous three years to have this, the most successful Salem High football campaign since 1999.

So forgive the Witches' seniors if they were understandably despondent over yesterday's 28-7 loss to arch rival Beverly at Hurd Stadium, one that not only saw them end their year at 5-5, but also end their careers.

Many of the Salem players were openly crying; not so much in frustration of losing on this miserable, rainy day, but more in the fact that their family | the Salem High football family | would be no more.

"It hurts. It really hurts," said captain Cedric Ashley. "To have worked so hard to make this season what it was and no have it be over ... it's hard to describe. It's too bad we had to lose this final game."

His fellow captain, Anthony Silva, scored the Witches' only touchdown yesterday on a 12-yard toss from quarterback Nick Charlton. He, too, fought back tears after the game. "I don't think any of us will ever forget the friends we've made through this team," said Silva. "The fact that it's over ... I don't want to think about it."

Franklin Abreu, a three-sport star for the Witches in football, basketball and baseball said this year's team was "the best experience in my career in all sports" because of all the groundwork that went into getting ready for this fall, beginning during the offseason.

"Everything we did, we did as a team. That's why we were successful," said Abreu. "It stinks to end it like this, but we can leave here knowing we gave our heart and soul on this field today."

Beverly seniors say 'Keep it going' Beverly's outgoing senior class, meanwhile, stressed the need for their younger teammates to keep the Panther fire burning bright after the team record its best season (9-1) in eight years.

"This group of kids ... me, J. Michael (Nardella), Pat (Bailey), Matt (McAniff), guys like that ... have been together since the third grade. To go from 4-7 our first two years to 5-5 last year and now this, that's just awesome," said senior linebacker Nate Verry. "We helped set the attitude here that the program wants. Now, (the underclassmen) know what it takes to keep it going." "What we've done here is something special," added Nardella. "The guys who will be seniors next year know it's up to them to keep the legacy alive | and strive for even better things."

Panther patter

Beverly has now beat Salem four straight times for the first time since 1952-55. They lead the all-time series, 52-49-7. ... Keep your eye on Beverly's Rashad Sims in the future. The sophomore outside linebacker caused a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by teammate Kevin Thomasson, setting up the hosts' third touchdown. ... Quarterback Nick Tanzella praised the play of juniors Liam Blodgett and Brian Kureta up front ... Beverly defensive coordinator Art Iryzk got a chance to coach against his son, Salem High freshman Shane Iryzk, yesterday. ... Dating back to the middle of last season, Beverly has won 14 of its last 15 football games. ... Beverly High head coach Dan Bauer has never lost to Salem, beating them in each of his first four tries. His teams have outscored the Witches 99-19 during that time. ... Senior defensive tackle Sean Lloyd and Nardella both recorded sacks yesterday. ... Nice to see senior Chris Austin get into the game and carry the ball on Beverly's final series, as he rushed for a 1-yard gain.

Witches' brew

Salem used five different running backs on its first five offensive plays: Danny Murray (6-yard gain), Melikke Van Alstyne (10 yards), Cris Chalmers (3 yards), Brent Cicco (1 yard) and Mael Walkowiak (2 yards). ... The Witches had just two first downs in the first half and five for the entire game. Three of those came in the final quarter. ... Captain Anthony Silva nearly made the grab of the day, almost making a one-handed catch in front of the Beverly sidelines in the fourth quarter off a Nick Charlton pass. ... Beverly's Bailey credited Van Alstyne for his terrific foot speed in the secondary. "He took me down a lot. I couldn't shake him," he said of the speedy sophomore. "He got to the ball in a hurry, and he hits hard." Salem used five different running backs on its first five offensive plays: Danny Murray (6-yard gain), Melikke Van Alstyne (10 yards), Cris Chalmers (3 yards), Brent Cicco (1 yard) and Mael Walkowiak (2 yards). ... The Witches had just two first downs in the first half and five for the entire game. Three of those came in the final quarter. ... Captain Anthony Silva nearly made the grab of the day, almost making a one-handed catch in front of the Beverly sidelines in the fourth quarter off a Nick Charlton pass. ... Beverly's Bailey credited Van Alstyne for his terrific foot speed in the secondary. "He took me down a lot. I couldn't shake him," he said of the speedy sophomore. "He got to the ball in a hurry, and he hits hard."

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