Football Team Looks to Bring Home Championship

The Chelmsford High School Lions hit the field Wednesday as they played an intersquad scrimmage that was supposed to be against Pentucket. Coach Bruce Rich said Pentucket's team is small this year and didn't want to risk any injuries by participating.

But Pentucket isn't the only team battling injuries - Rich said quite a few players on the Lions are also having a tough start to the season. However, he said, he hopes they'll be on the mend by the time the season starts.

Rich said he used Wednesday's scrimmage to scope out the players and see "what kind of depth" they have.

"Defense looked good, we have a new defensive set in and it's really aggressive so we're happy about that," he said.

Offensively, the team needs to improve and work together more, said Rich.

"If one thing is off, it can throw off the whole line," he said. "We need more of a team effort."

Key players this year will be senior quarterback A.J. Rotella, running back Joe Gennaro, linebacker Timmy Joy and defensive back Zack Hayes.

Rich said there are several promising up-and-coming players on the 150-player team. All of them will get time this season, he said.

"They've got lots of depth," he said. "We are one of the largest football programs in the state. When we practice, we can play both sides of the ball. It's really worked for us."

As far as where Chelmsford will finish this year - Rich said the Lions would like to bring home a championship, starting with the conference championship.

"We take it one game at a time, but we set our goals high," he said. "We don't look past anyone else."

Rich said this Saturday's scrimmages against Salem High School and Leominster High School will be the first time this season the Lions see other jerseys.

"It'll be a good test," he said.

The Lions will open their regular season on Sept. 10 vs. Waltham High School.