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Fishermen look strong in first scrimmage

Tuesday, September, 04 By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

GLOUCESTER | People and Plays.

That's what Gloucester football head coach Paul Ingram was looking to see in yesterday's scrimmage against Masconomet at Newell Stadium in Gloucester.

The scrimmage marked the Fishermen's first game situation of the season. They will play their second scrimmage on Saturday in Tewksbury, before playing their regular-season opener on Sept. 7 at home against defending Northeastern Conference champion Winthrop.

Overall, Ingram was mostly happy with what he saw from his team, particularly his defense.

"The defense played very well," Ingram said. "They were quick and they hit hard. It's just what we expect from them."

Senior captain and offensive lineman Adam Quinn agreed that the defense played well.

"Our defense was very impressive," Quinn said. "We had a lot of guys step it up."

On the flip side, the offense was a little more of a mixed bag.

"The offense was good at times and sporadic at times," Ingram said. "We ran some good plays, but we didn't execute well in some instances like our counter plays."

Nevertheless, the Fishermen dominated on the scoreboard scoring three touchdowns to Masco's none. Senior captain Cameron Marston scored Gloucester's first touchdown on a 35-yard reception from quarterback Ricky Gallant. Fullback Anthony Enderle scored Gloucester's second touchdown on a 40-yard run and senior captain Andrew Fulford added another score for the Fishermen on a 4-yard run.

Gloucester's defense stymied the Chieftains offense the entire game, allowing them to pass the 50-yard line just one time, and holding them to just a 44-yard field goal. The Fishermen's performance drew praise from Masco head coach Jim Pugh.

"They are a very good team and they really handled us," Pugh said. "They have a hard-hitting defense that is quick to the ball. They are going to be one of the teams to beat in the NEC large this season."

One of the questions that has been looming over the Fishermen this preseason is: who will play quarterback? Junior Ricky Gallant, sophomore Brett Cahill and senior Kyle Habecker came into camp competing for the spot. Gallant got the start for Gloucester yesterday, and while Ingram would not confirm that he has been named the starter, he did say that he was happy with Gallant's performance.

"Ricky did well tonight," Ingram said. "He stood in there and made some good reads. Plus he got us into the end zone, which is most important. I was pleased."

Ingram also said that he was impressed with Gallant's ability to check down to his secondary receivers, something he says is tough to do.

All in all, the Fishermen were happy to be on the field in a game situation.

"We were in high spirits and excited to play our first game, even if it was just a scrimmage," Quinn said. "We were a little nervous at first but we got the butterfly's out and played some good football."