Expecting an Air Attack Tonight on the Gridiron

Thomas Lopez and Brian Alyward are expecting an aerial attack tonight.

The Lincoln-Sudbury and Tewksbury head coaches, respectively, are preparing accordingly.

"Usually this time of year you get buckled down and ready to stop the running attack," said Alyward. "(Lincoln-Sudbury) has always had a strong running ability, but their ability to pass has certainly improved this year."

Alyward is not the only coach changing his preparation for this weekend's rematch between Lincoln-Sudbury High and Tewksbury High in Sudbury. Lopez believes it is hard to focus on one aspect of the game this early in the season, but has had to adjust his coverage.

"We have been concentrating on the pass more so than the run," said Lopez. "But the first game you still have to prepare for everything."

The two coaches linked an increase in experience to their ability to have a stronger passing game. Both teams are returning at least seven starters from the previous year.

"The most notable thing is (my players) are more poised and experienced to handle the offense and defense," said Alyward. "Any coach would say it is a helpful thing to have experience. If nothing else they will have memories of the last couple games and how to have a good work ethic."

The returning starters include quarterbacks Sean Connolly, a senior at Tewksbury, and Matt Cahill, a junior at Lincoln-Sudbury. Looking back at last year's 12-0 loss, Cahill believes he is more prepared this year.

"I did not really foresee anything thing going wrong and thought that a lot was going to take care of itself," said Cahill. "I feel like I will be much more ready to handle it this time around."

Lopez does not directly link Cahill to last year's loss and instead points to the team's inexperience as the problem. The Warriors played the previous year's game without three captains and did not have a receiver who had caught a regular-season pass.

"When (senior) Mike Baranowski got injured we did not have a person who had caught a pass before," said Lopez. "We were kind of short-handed, but that is not an excuse. We did not play well."

Another returning senior who is receiving recognition from coaches is Lincoln-Sudbury senior linemen Zach Smerlas. Alyward believes a strong line has played a role in the Warriors' ability to pass well so far.

"I watch Smerlas play and I have seen him wrestling," said Alyward. "He is bigger and stronger than guys we have. They have a good solid line across the board."

Last year's low-scoring affair was played in rainy, muddy conditions. Lopez expects sunny conditions this weekend, but does not think the weather affected last year's outcome.

"It is not an excuse," said Lopez. "Both (teams) were slipping."

The Warriors and the Redmen started last year 1-3.

"We are going to try to go out there and play to our potential and see what happens," said Alyward. "We would like to have a strong game going into the league schedule."

"It will be a good game," added Lopez.

The game will start at 7 p.m. on the Doucette Field turf at Lincoln-Sudbury High School.