CCHS Football Coach Delivers Good News

Concord-Carlisle coach Mike Robichaud opened his post-practice speech with the two words every football team loves to hear: camp's over.

The Patriots closed out two weeks of preseason practices at Doug White Memorial Field on Friday. They play the final scrimmage against Bishop Feehan on Saturday before opening the regular season at Beverly High School next Saturday.

"It's all about Beverly now," Robichaud said.

Though it lasts just two weeks, preseason can feel much longer to many players and coaches. After a dozen or so practices of bumping with teammates, all involved a ready to see another color across the line.

Robichaud treated the final session of summer camp like a pre-game walkthrough. The Patriots sported their gameday maroon jerseys with gold pants and drilled everything from kickoffs to basic offensive plays.

A preview of Hurricane Earl swept through during the middle portion of practice, dumping a steady downpour.

During Saturday's preseason finale, Robichaud said he'll be looking for his squad to show it's ready for live-game action.

"I think it's just keeping in a rhythm on both sides of the ball," the coach said. "We're trying to refine some things in our base packages right now, both on offense and defense. So I'll be looking for consistency."

That's primarily what the team has worked toward for much of camp.

"We talked a lot with the guys a lot about the things we're pleased with, definitely the effort, the energy, the enthusiasm and they did a good job with the [offseason] period staying in shape and some of the guys got a little bit bigger," Robichaud said. "So we're pleased with how they came in and they've been consistent with their attitude."

Still, plenty of questions remain unanswered. Injuries have stunted the progress of the defense, Robichaud said, when usually it's the defense that's ahead of the offense at this point.

Another reason for the offense's quick progression is its strong veteran presence.

"We have a senior quarterback [Peter George], who's been a starter for a couple years and guys in the backfield that know what they're doing," Robichaud said.

Even with a chance to work out more kinks against Bishop Feehan, Concord-Carlisle has already set its sights on the season opener. Good thing, because there will be a short week leading up to next Saturday's game.

C-C doesn't have school on Thursday, squashing a much-needed practice. Robichaud said the team will hold a session on Labor Day, a day thought by many to be the unofficial end of summer. For the Minutemen, the finale has already come and it's time to focus on the fall.

"Now we turn to Beverly," Robichaud said.