Kyle Mroz,Kevin Johnston,Coach Thom Connors,Jared Flannigan,Steven Serwon
Amesbury head football coach Thom Connors watched his current senior-laden team play on an undefeated freshmen team.
“After the freshman pulled out a couple of close games late I started to think that they might be something special,” recalled Coach Connors.
One play in particular really got Thom’s attention. “I saw Jared Flannigan punt the ball, beat everyone else down the field, pick up a fumble, and go in for a score. I couldn’t help but say, “Wow, we’ve got something here,” after that.”
The leaders of that freshman team moved up to the varsity the next year and some have been two-way starters since. The wins have followed at the varsity level and the Indians sport a 9-1 record going into the Thanksgiving game with Newburyport. If they can overcome the Clippers and survive the resulting tiebreaker, they will return to the playoffs. This time it would be Whittier Tech on Tuesday December 2nd.
Coach Connors commended his senior leaders collectively. “Right after the season ended last year they were in the weight room. (No easy feat since the Amesbury High facilities were unavailable because of construction.) They got many other players involved. The key to it all was the numbers that were doing it and the togetherness.”
“I heard all off-season long that the kids were working out at Latitude’s and Nock’s,” said the 1982 Bridgewater State graduate.
Coach Connors told me a little bit about the four seniors pictured above.
“Kyle Mroz (6’1”- 235) plays left tackle and defensive end. On offense, we’re a left-handed team because of him. On defense, he not only can jam the inside but also contain on the perimeter. He is a good student and does have plans to play in college.”
“Kevin Johnston (5’7” – 165) is the Cape Ann League sprint champion and if he gets outside he can really take off. He has scored many touchdowns. For an undersized kid he runs well inside. On defense, he’s in the secondary and probably is the best man-to-man coverage player I’ve ever coached.”
“Jared Flannigan (5’7” – 165) is our quarterback. One of our favorite plays is the waggle in which he has the option to pass or run. He’s good at both. He makes things happen, so we like having the ball in his hands. He is also a member of our strong defensive secondary.”
“Steve Serwon (6’2” – 220) is a two-way starter at end and linebacker. When we split him out teams have to acknowledge him. When we run our power game, he’ll line up at fullback to do some blocking. He’s our defensive captain at middle linebacker. He has intercepted a number of passes during his three seasons as a starter.”
Coach Connors has spent a great deal of time with these senior leaders over the past three years of practices. However, once a game starts he’s seldom close enough to interact with them. “They’re hardly ever off the field but that’s okay as far as I’m concerned.”
(Submitted to The Town Common on November 19th)
McClelland Miscellanea 