Return to the Gridiron

The Arlington High School football team got back to work Monday at its first official practice of the season.

Led by captains Mitch Coiley (fullback, linebacker), Joe Keefe (running back, linebacker) and Sean Fagan (offensive guard, defensive end), the Spy Ponders are looking to improve on last year's record of 2-8, coach Dan Hirsch said Monday.

"I'm excited; the kids are excited," said Hirsch, in his sixth year at the helm. "We're just going to try and bring a winning attitude to everything that we do – how we practice, how we conduct ourselves at school – and that will relate to our performance on the field."

The team filled out paperwork Monday morning before heading to a rainy Pierce Field for a series of conditioning drills. About 50 returning players took the field, as did a number of freshmen.

After morning practices tomorrow and Wednesday, the Spy Ponders start double sessions Thursday, when most of the school's fall sports begin, before scrimmaging Shawsheen Valley Technical High School at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Pierce Field.

"Summer is over," Hirsch said. "I told them, 'Summer is over.'"

Arlington opens regular-season play on the road against Newton South at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.