Athlete of the Week: Oliver Gregory [VIDEO]

There are two dates on Oliver Gregory's calendar that have been circled for months - Aug. 22 and Sept. 9.

On Monday, Aug. 22, varsity football team will begin practices. Then, on Sept. 9, the boys will open up the regular season at home, under the lights, against the Pentucket Sachems.

“I’m so excited to get going,” Gregory said. “Even though we played great against Swampscott on Thanksgiving last year, we lost, so we are absolutely ready to have a successful season this year.”

Gregory, 17, a linebacker, picked off the first pass of his career in the Swampscott game, stepping in front of a Mike Walsh pass before a packed house at Blocksidge Field.

Gregory plays lacrosse and basketball in addition to football, and admits that he got off to a late start on the gridiron.

“I was in fifth grade (at Tower School) and some of my friends on the lacrosse team said I should play football, so I tried it and I loved it,” Gregory said.

Gregory will serve as one of the 2011 Magicians co-captains, sharing the title with teammates Joel Katz and Will Quigley.

“I’m good friends with those guys, we’ve been friends for years, I’m pumped to share the captain's duties with those guys,” Gregory said.

In an interesting twist, Gregory and his Header teammates will have Saturdays off this fall. All of the MHS football games are on weeknights, under the lights, with the exception of the Turkey Day clash on November 24 at 10 a.m. against the Big Blue at Piper Field.

All of the MHS football players that wanted the captaincy position filled out a profile with questions put together by the coaching staff. The “resume” was read to the team and players voted on who they wanted to lead the Magicians.

“I wanted to be captain, definitely, what an honor,” Gregory said. “Football is such an important thing in Marblehead, and I know I can be a good leader.”

Gregory got his first taste of varsity action as a sophomore when injuries decimated the Magicians line backing corps in the Salem game.

“Three of the guys went down and coach O’Connor tapped me and said don’t have any butterflies because you’re going in,” Gregory said.

Gregory will start at inside linebacker and work his way onto the field on the offensive side of the ball at fullback, after spending much of his career on the offensive line.

Last season’s team finished 5-6, going for the win against Swampscott, but the two-point conversion failed and Marblehead lost to the Blue by a point.

“We’ve got over 20 seniors on the team and we’ve worked really hard to get ready for the season, we’re determined to be successful this year,” Gregory said.

The Magicians open up the season on September 9, at Piper Field against Pentucket at 7 p.m.

“We can’t wait to get the season going,” Gregory said.

The Oliver Gregory File:

Age – 17

Year – Heading into his senior year at MHS

Food – “My mom’s steak, rice and green beans.”

TV Show – Modern Family

Musical Artist – “I like country music.”

Most embarrassing song on my iPod – “I’ve got some Disney soundtracks on there.”

Favorite Movie – Shrek

Dream – “To have a successful football season and go to a good college.”

Favorite professional athlete – Rajon Rondo

Favorite team – The New England Patriots

Up next – Football practice starts on Monday.

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