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Pentucket looking to reclaim past glory

Wednesday, September, 05 By Dan Guttenplan
Staff writer

The Pentucket football team's 2006 season never seemed to get off the ground between an opening day loss to Hamilton-Wenham and a Thanksgiving Day loss to Triton.

Credit that to an unhealthy dose of confidence coming off a 10-1 2005 season, says returning fullback Nate Bunnell. "Kids were a little cocky last season," Bunnell said. "Now we're stepping back in line."

In line is exactly where Sachems coach Steve Hayden likes his players. The 26-year veteran has compiled a 162-115 career record; last season's 4-7 mark was a rare losing season under Hayden.

So this year the head man at Pentucket has modeled his offense after the University of Delaware's Wing-T. Expect Bunnell, who measures in at 6-feet, 200 pounds, to see the bulk of the carries.

"I've been training all winter and summer," Bunnell said. "I'm a taller fullback than most kids are used to seeing, and I can hit harder than most kids. I'm feeling confident going into the season."

Bunnell may actually dwarf a few of his blockers | Hayden believes this is one of the smallest squads he's had in recent memory. Adding further difficulty to the prospect of repeating the success of 2005 is the fact that few of Pentucket's starters have varsity experience.

"I think it works in cycles," Hayden said. "That's why we're going to play the games. I think we're a young team even though we have a lot of seniors."

Pentucket will host Hamilton-Wenham Saturday (1:30 p.m.) and look to shake the memories of last season's Thanksgiving Day upset loss to Triton. The Generals posted a 7-3 record last season and return four defensive linemen who top 200 pounds. "I think we'll use a new season as motivation," Hayden said. "The kids are playing for this year | not last year."