Once again, the Silver Lake High football team has their eyes on success.
Last year the Lakers went 8-3 and won their first playoff game since 1980, topping Scituate High before falling in the second round of the MIAA Division 2A South playoffs.
This year, although the Lakers graduated 10 seniors, they are optimistic they should be able to enjoy some success over the course of the season in Chris DiGiacomo’s third season as the team’s head coach.
At running back and the offensive line, the Lakers bring back a good deal of experience. Phil Lashley, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, will lead the team’s ground game yet again. Fellow running back Liam Kelleher, a four year letterman, who also plays defensive back, will be the other team’s primary running back. Last year, the Lakers ran for nearly 200 yards per game and had well over 300 yards of offense per game.
The two backs will receive protection from a talented offensive line that returns four of its five starters from last year. Gavin Hamilton and Frank Perfetuo, will lead the way on the line on both sides of the ball. Matt Powell, who is also a valuable linebacker, and Reed Grenon, are also returning varsity starters on the line. Nate Thacker will join them to round out the starting five this season.
The Lakers had a preseason quarterback battle going on between senior Tanner Boyd and sophomore Jesse Miller since they lost last year’s starter, Alec Snell, to graduation. Boyd was their backup quarterback last season and Miller was the freshman team’s quarterback.
The Lakers open up their regular season today, Friday, Sept. 8, on the road against the North Quincy High Red Raiders, who went 2-9 last season. That game will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium and kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m..