RallyNorth.net

Marblehead's upside becoming apparent

Thursday, October, 11 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Doug Chernovetz won't fall into the trap of saying that his Marblehead High football team has made a turnaround, mainly because it implies that the Magicians are already assured of a winning season.

What you might get Chernovetz to say is that Marblehead is getting there.

The Magicians head into tonight's game at 1-4 Lynn English (Manning Field, 7) with a 3-2 record. That's just one fewer win than the team had last season, when it finished 4-7. The Magicians are on a pace to do much better than they did in 2005, when they went 2-9.

Still, the head coach isn't thinking he or his team are on Easy Street.

"I still call the glass half-empty," said Chernovetz. The coach doesn't want anyone | especially his team | interpreting that comment as pessimistic. He just wants his players to remain humble, because a total of six wins in 2005-06 combined shouldn't trigger a celebration.

"The reason I say half-empty is that we're so inexperienced," said Chernovetz. "We're starting five sophomores and a freshman. It takes time to develop a program. You don't do it overnight."

But the signs are indeed getting better for the Magicians. They shocked Salem, 26-7, on Sept. 20 and last Friday played an inspired game in beating a 3-1 Revere team, 13-12. The drama in the Revere game was heightened when sophomore Evan Comeau blocked a punt in the fourth quarter and strong safety Jamie Wade returned it for the winning score.

"I'm seeing some very encouraging things," said Chernovetz. "This is my third season, and I consider this group 'my kids' since they started with us as freshmen. They're really starting to get it.

"Take a player like Comeau. That kid has played every position possible | linebacker, defensive tackle, defensive end | and he's an animal. He embodies the things we want to see in our players. He and his brother Danny (a junior guard and backup linebacker) are the first to get on the field and the last to leave.

"And then you have Wade, who was benched (coach's decision) the previous week. He comes back and makes the play that turns the game around, a fantastic run. One of our coaches said to Jamie, 'How did you get to the end zone?' and Jamie said, 'Coach, I just want to play football.' You have to like that attitude. He's buying into it."

Marblehead has a freshman who is holding his own in Ben Koopman, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound, two-way tackle. Junior quarterback Ian McKinley is making steady progress and sophomore Hayes Richardson is being groomed as his backup, but one who could get opportunities this season.

Mike Sahagian, who had an 82-yard touchdown run against Revere, and center/linebacker Eric Fader are senior captains who are providing strong leadership, said Chernovetz. Among the other bright spots are sophomores Matt O'Neil (fullback/inside linebacker) and Matt Evans (fullback/inside linebacker).

Marblehead's next two opponents, English and Danvers, have a combined record of 1-9. On paper, they appear to be winnable games for the Magicians. But Chernovetz cautions his team to take it one step at a time.

"Our focus is entirely on Lynn English," said Chernovetz, who might not even be aware that Marblehead hasn't beaten the Bulldogs since 1991 and has been outscored by English, 386-128, in that stretch.

"We're in no position to overlook anybody. I don't care if our opponents are 0-30; we have to respect every team we play."

If the Magicians do that and win a few more games, Chernovetz may see the glass as half full.