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Generals use last season's finale as motivation in 2007

After back-to-back 6-5 seasons, the Hamilton-Wenham Regional football team improved to 7-3 last season under first-year head coach Andrew Morency. But the Generals fell just short in their goal of winning the Cape Ann Small League title and earning a spot in the state playoffs.

Still, the Generals played their best football of 2006 down the stretch. They took a four-game winning streak into their annual Thanksgiving showdown against archrival Ipswich with the CAL title on the line.

"Down 7-0, we took the ball to their 4-yard line," remembered Morency, "but we couldn't punch it in and we ended up fumbling."

Ipswich hung on to win by that same score, eventually going on to win the Division 3B Super Bowl championship.

"The kids have not forgotten that game," said Morency. All in all, it had to be considered a successful first campaign for Morency and the Generals. For the season, Hamilton-Wenham gave up just 123 points over 10 games. Even more impressive, over the last five games they gave up only 36 points total.

On the other side of the ball, Hamilton-Wenham scored 166 points despite being shut out twice. They were also unbeaten (2-0) in overtime contests.

Heading into Saturday's season opener at Pentucket, the Generals return many experienced players on both sides of the line. The biggest holes to fill are at quarterback, following the graduation of Cape Ann League all-star Connor Sullivan, and in the defensive secondary.

"We have experience on the offensive and defensive lines and a core of running backs," noted Morency. "The team is well aware of its strengths and weaknesses and realizes its time for younger players to step up."

Linebacker Nate Masterson, running back Jake Cotter and lineman Tom Drinkwater are the three senior captains that Hamilton-Wenham will count on. Masterson keys the team's 4-4 (four linemen, four linebackers) and 5-3 (five linemen, three linebackers) defensive systems. Meanwhile, Drinkwater and his fellow linemen will be looking to open holes for Cotter and the other Generals running backs.

Hamilton-Wenham will look to grind out yards on the ground while either sophomore Andy Duval or junior Jason Bial gets used to being the starter at quarterback.

"All three of the captains are battle-tested and have been on the field through key moments in the past," Morency, a former Beverly High football captain, said. "Our five starting offensive linemen return, too, which is a nice situation to have." The defense returns eight starters from 2006, all on the defensive line and linebacker positions. Morency admitted, "We're putting some new guys into the defensive secondary. Our front eight guys have been there before, so they realize nothing comes easy. They know we're going to have our hands full, but I think the defense can rise to the occasion."

Overall, the entire team knows it has to adopt a workman-like attitude to compete in the always-tough Cape Ann League. Making things even harder, the Generals open the season facing three of the leagues toughest teams: at Pentucket, home vs. North Andover and home vs. Masconomet. Simply put, it won't take long for Hamilton-Wenham to find out where it stands.

"They know that they're going to have to work hard," says Morency. "They're going to have something to prove. Every week in the Cape Ann League is a challenge."

Last year's record: 7-3

Head coach: Andrew Morency (2nd year, 7-3)

Captains: Nate Masterson, Jake Cotter and Tom Drinkwater

Style of offense: Multiple look with a West Coast offense flavor in the passing game

Styles of defense: 4-4 and 5-3

Last winning season: 2006 (7-3)

Last league title: 2003 (9-1, CAL co-champions)

Did you know?: In 2006, Generals senior quarterback Connor Sullivan set a school record for yards passing (1,326) in a single season.