FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:31:15 AM The Salem News 2018 NORTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW TRENCH CONNECTION THE NORTH SHORE’S TOP LINEMEN DISCUSS THEIR BOND, TOUGHNESS AND A SHARED LOVE OF THE GAME PAGE 4 FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:31:19 AM S2 • Wednesday, September 5, 2018 5, September • Wednesday, FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 PREVIEW FOOTBALL The Salem News • News Salem The Good luck, North Shore teams, in building a championship season. BEVERLY NORTH READING PLAISTOW, NH 978-927-0032 978-664-3310 603-382-1535 moynihanlumber.com FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:31:23 AM S3 NORTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2018 SEASON PREVIEW • News Salem The TEAM-BY-TEAM GUIDE WEEK-BY-WEEK SCHEDULE, PAGES 12-13 2018 PREVIEW FOOTBALL PEABODY ESSEX NORTH SHORE PHILOSOPHICAL SHIFT TIME TO FLY Tanners hope new schemes In second season, Connors has Hawks set to bounce lead to new results, Page 6 back, Page 19 BEVERLY MANCHESTER ESSEX STRENGTH IN NUMBERS WITH A HIVE MIND 2018 5, September • Wednesday, Deep Panther club wants to reverse Down in numbers, Hornets will last year’s fortunes, Page 7 strive to compete, improve, Page 19 DANVERS BISHOP FENWICK BUILDING BLOCKS SKILLS GALORE Falcons hope to challenge Offensive depth a big strength for Crusaders, Page 20 for NEC crown, Page 8 PINGREE MARBLEHEAD HADLEY GREEN/Staff photo Hamilton-Wenham’s Ian Coffey GROUND AND POUND MAMMOTH MAGICIANS New coach Mike Flynn ready Size up front could carry Marblehead to unleash running game, Page 21 to sixth straight title, Page 9 HAMILTON-WENHAM Photo by joebrownphotos.com Marblehead running back Tim Cronin SIZE MATTERS NOT SALEM Undersized but not undermanned, Generals could repeat in CAL Baker, Page 16 On the cover NOW, DO IT AGAIN GLOUCESTER Some of the North Shore’s best linemen Witches bent on proving this fall will include (from left) Matt Noonan last year was no fluke, Page 10 REELING OPPONENTS IN IPSWICH of Salem, Billy Shaw of Beverly, Mike Lock Loaded line could make life tough of Peabody, Aidan Michaud of Marblehead, for Fisherman’s opponents, Page 14 EYE OF THE TIGER Tommy MacDonald of Bishop Fenwick, SWAMPSCOTT Could a fourth straight winning season be in the cards James Taylor of St. John’s Prep, Ron for Ipswich?, Page 17 ST. JOHN’S PREP Remotigue of Danvers and Henry Smith of THEY DON’T Hamilton-Wenham. HAVE THE BLUES NO ASIE-Y WAY OUT MASCONOMET Big Blue reload for another All-star running back Pream Paul bilodeau/Staff photo shot at the postseason, Page 11 primed to lead Eagles, Page 15 ROLLING DOWNHILL Physical style, mature seniors return to lead Chieftains, Page 18 Family Business 10% OFF of the Year over the counter or service parts EXPIRES 10/31/18 Hometown Service Superstore Prices www.douglassappliance.com FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:34:12 AM S4 THE NORTH SHORE’S TOP HOGS ARE READY TO LAY IT • Wednesday, September 5, 2018 5, September • Wednesday, ON THE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 PREVIEW FOOTBALL The Salem News • News Salem The LINE BY MATT WILLIAMS AND PHIL STACEY STAFF WRITERS hey are the unsung heroes of football — the guys who put their bodies on the line, both literally and figuratively, on every snap and almost never get to touch the ball or score a point. What ignites their passion? What keeps them pushing the sled in practice, hour after hour and day after day? We gathered senior offensive and defensive linemen of all different shapes and sizes from Tsome of the North Shore’s marquee programs — Matt Noonan of Salem (5-foot-9, 200 lbs.), Billy Shaw of Bev- erly (6-1, 260 lbs.), Michael Lock of Peabody (6-foot, 250 lbs.), Aidan Michaud of Marblehead (6-4, 305 lbs.), Tommy MacDonald of Bishop Fenwick (6-5, 270 lbs.), James Taylor of St. John’s Prep (6-1, 315 lbs.), Ron Remo- tigue of Danvers (5-10, 210 lbs.) and Henry Smith of Hamilton-Wenham (5-10, 190 lbs.) — for a wide ranging conversation about the trials and tribulations of life in the trenches. What follows are some of the highlights from that chat: On the web at SalemNews.com A video look at the featured linemen and their outlook for the 2018 season FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:34:14 AM S5 Salem News: What does it mean to be a lineman, knowing We all know if four • News Salem The that you might never get to “ touch the ball? people are doing what Matt Noonan: No credit is they’re supposed to needed. I mean, they need us to score, and that’s do and one person enough right there. is not, the play is SN: Do you feel appreciated by getting blown up. 2018 PREVIEW FOOTBALL the skills players? Aidan Michaud, ” Matt Noonan: Absolutely. Marblehead lineman Vinnie (Gaskins, Salem’s 2017 standout running back), any time he had a take a rep off. really good game or broke a Aidan Michaud: You can’t record, he always said he’d measure hurt, either. It’s never have done any of it really about wanting it more, without us linemen. comparing yourself in prac- Henry Smith: I agree. The tice, film and weight room. running backs know that It’s mental and physical without the line, they won’t toughness more than size. 2018 5, September • Wednesday, be able to do much. We’re Matt Noonan: I’m probably really what makes the team the shortest guy on my line, function well and be able to maybe 5-foot-9. I wasn’t succeed. Everyone on the supposed to be starting but team knows that, and that I wanted it more. By my matters more than what PAUL BILODEAU/Staff photos size, I’m not supposed to be fans might know. The Northeastern Conference will feature a slew of talented linemen this season, including (from left) Salem’s Matt Noonan, there, but if you work hard Beverly’s Billy Shaw, Marblehead’s Aidan Michaud, Peabody’s Mike Lock and Danvers’ Ron Remotigue. you’ll get it. SN: Some of the teams run hurry-up offenses. As a line- SN: On the opposite tact, man, is it taxing to sprint to what’s the pressure like when the line, then block again? you’re a younger player try- Aidan Michaud: Of course ing to go against veterans in I’m getting out of breath (in practice or in games? Is there those circumstances), but a lot of pressure there? we train hard all summer. James Taylor: I put pressure We run every day. We’re on myself (as a freshman) all used to it. Run blocking, because I wanted to be the especially in the hurry-up, guy. I wanted to start, so I especially when the other worked extra hard in one- team is gassed, that’s when on-ones. I’d lose because you get your pancake blocks they had more technique — so even though you’re than me, but I’d put up a tired, that’s the most fun good fight. I was nervous part. going in, but I went in and fought that much harder. SN: Mike and Ron have gone against each other in a game SN: What’s your favorite one- (Danvers beat Peabody, 7-0, on-one drill? in 2017). How did you prepare Matt Noonan: Board drill. for each other? James Taylor: Circle drill. Ron Remotigue: It was all Michael Lock: Oklahoma. film. We did our techniques in practice, studied their Salem News: Would you rather team. It was a great game, have a hard drill and hit and very respectable. get hit, or do you ever take it Michael Lock: It was a back- easy with a “peace pact” in and-forth game. I learned a practice? lot of little techniques, used Aidan Michaud: You don’t the film to try to get pre- Constantly making life miserable for the opponents that try to block them are defensive linemen Henry Smith of Hamilton- win taking it easy. pared for the game. Matt Noonan: You have to Wenham, Tommy MacDonald of Bishop Fenwick and James Taylor of St. John’s Prep. hit each other. In Salem, it’s SN: What’s the bond of hit-hit-hit. being linemen like? Is it a same thing; we don’t get any they’re supposed to do and circles out there. little more athletic and fast? Ron Remotigue: There’s brotherhood? credit, but we all love what one person is not, the play Tommy MacDonald: It nothing like when the whole Tommy MacDonald: It’s part we do. is getting blown up. Every- SN: Some of the linemen are depends on the situation. If team is standing around the of being a linemen that you Aidan Michaud: It’s definitely body has to be on the same bigger and some are smaller. you’re a player you can play, drill cheering and making have to be on the same page. a bond. We all know if four page to be successful; other- Is it tough for a big guy to it doesn’t matter if you’re noise. Matt Noonan: We all do the people are doing what wise, you’re just running in handle a smaller guy who’s a 5-foot-4 or 6-foot-7. You can’t Please see LINEMEN, Page S22 FINAL-1 Sat, Sep 1, 2018 11:39:36 AM S6 PEABODY HIGH SCHOOL [NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE DIVISION 1] Peabody hopes to end drought by spreading wealth BY MATT WILLIAMS 2018 SCHEDULE size in the middle and more STAFF WRITER on speed on the outside.