Generals Week 1: Triton's 2010 Season Was Not As Bad As It Looked

So, how do a few breaks here and there turn a winless team into a league contender?

If in each of the first six games of the season a team doesn’t lose by more than one score leads to an 0-6 start, followed by a downward spiral and low self-esteem. Instead, the team could have been 5-1 or 4-2 and on the way to challenging for a title.

That was the story for the Triton Vikings last year. And included in the first six losses, which they were outscored only 125-107, was a .

The two teams open up against each other in Byfield on Friday at 7 p.m.

“This is going to be tremendous test for us,” said Triton coach Patrick Sheehan, who is entering his second season. “They are reigning champions and we did not have a win last year, but everyone has a new team every year. The leaders on a team are new every year.

“We were very competitive last year even though we didn’t get anything in the win column. All the players made a commitment in the off-season to change that.”

One thing going for the Vikings will be the experience gained last year by many players on the 2010 edition. All 15 seniors saw plenty of action last year.

The entire offensive line is back, as is three-year starter Blaise Whitman at quarterback, running back Derek Paquette and wide receiver Matt Hill. All three are seniors.

“Between Blaise and Derek in the backfield we will have two big bodies. Derek is a bulldozer type runner but has good vision and speed,” Sheehan said.

“Matt turned a lot heads last year and his game speed has been turned up a notch this year. We will find a way to get the ball in his hands.”

Defensively, linebackers Joe Ruocco, a junior, and Billy Murphy, a senior, lead the way. The tandem has led Triton in tackles in each of its preseason scrimmages. Don Rovetto, a senior cornerback leads the last line of defense and is a “savvy football player.”

Sheehan likes his chances against the visiting Generals. However he is aware he needs to keep Generals running back Elliot Burr and quarterback Trevor Lyons in check.

”We have to contain Burr and Lyons,” he said. “That isn’t an easy task with (Hamilton-Wenham’s) offensive line. We can’t let those two guys get into the open field.”

Generals coach Andrew Morency knows what his team will face in its first game as defending champions.

“They’re a good team with a lot of players back from last year,” said Morency. “They’ve looked good in the preseason. They will definitely be formidable (at home). We will have our hands full.”