On a Gloucester High School football team ranked as one of the best in the state by Massachusetts prognosticators and publications, there is certainly no shortage of impressive players.
But when Gloucester head coach Paul Ingram is asked who has been the most impressive in the preseason, his answer comes without hesitation.
"I have no problem saying it: Gilbert Brown and Jordan Shairs have impressed me the most," said the eighth-year coach, whose team is coming off a 13-0 season and a Division 1A Super Bowl title.
Brown and Shairs will start in the offensive backfield for the Fishermen, and also at linebacker when they open the season on Friday night against Swampscott at Newell Stadium (7 p.m.). It's what the two interchangeable seniors have shown as running backs that has Ingram really excited.
"I think Gilbert and Jordan have shown that they have the speed and blocking ability to play both fullback and halfback. They will play both positions and share carries," Ingram said. "They give us a very unique backfield. Both are devastating blockers and they've been knocking people around in the preseason. They are going to be really, really tough to deal with."
Gloucester has long been known for a smashmouth, run-oriented offense that has been an instrumental force in the recent Fishermen dominance. The Northeastern Conference Large champions are 37-2 over the last three years and have been to three straight Super Bowls, winning two of them. Gloucester is once again a big favorite to capture the Division 1A Super Bowl this year.
At 6-feet, 210 pounds, Shairs is a contact-seeking, bruising runner. But don't be fooled, he's also difficult to catch in the open field, as he was clocked at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash in the preseason. He is the leading returning rusher for the Fishermen, after rushing for 352 yards and eight TDs last year.
"Jordan is just a rumblin', tumblin' type of back," said Brown. "He'll run you over if you get in his way. He is a tough kid and he never misses a block."
Brown goes 6-feet, 190 pounds and ran his 40 in 4.6. He plays with a little more finesse and versatility than Shairs.
As a sophomore in 2008, he played wingback and rushed for 357 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, he moved to tight end when Chris Unis got hurt early in the season, and responded by leading the team with 20 receptions, 307 yards and four receiving TDs.
"We are both similar backs," said Shairs in regards to himself and Brown. "We'll make a cut to avoid someone, but we'll also run someone over."
Brown's season in the trenches last year as a tight end, helped him learn the Golden Rule of Gloucester football.
"In order to play at Gloucester, you have to block. That's what the coaches always say," said Brown, who will captain the team along with fellow seniors Unis (TE/DE), Andrew Mizzoni (OT/DE) and Mike Tomaino (SE/S). "We want all of our backs to succeed. So when someone gets the call, the rest of us try to bust open a hole for him. I'm always looking to get better at everything, whether it be blocking, my quickness, anything."
Usually, the Gloucester rushing attack flourishes on balance and a vast array of weapons. Last year's record-setting rushing performance from graduate Conor Ressel was an aberration. He tallied over 1,900 yards and the next-highest rusher was Ali D'Angelo's 592.
Seasons like Ressel's don't come along very often. This season figures to see Shairs and Brown stay neck and neck in rushing yards, with speedy senior wingback Brandon Cusumano — also a prolific receiver — providing the lightning to their thunder.
Good luck to opposing defenses.
Defense is no slouch
When you have eight two-way starters back from a championship team, your defense is going to be more than solid. That is the luxury Gloucester will have this fall.
Arguably the best defensive player on Gloucester's roster is the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Unis, who missed most of last season due to injury. It didn't stop the Fishermen from allowing just 9.6 points per game, thanks to the coming-of-age of Mizzoni, who became one of the best defenders in Eastern Mass. at defensive end. Now, Gloucester will combine the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Mizzoni with Unis at the two defensive end spots, forming a devastating pass rush in a league where passing the ball has become more common.
"I just don't know if anyone will be able to deal with Unis," said Ingram. "He has been dominant in our scrimmages."
If Unis and Mizzoni do enjoy big success, they can thank 6-foot-2, 265-pound senior Bryan Ingersoll and 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior Anthony Latassa, who will both play on the interior of the D-line.
"Ingersoll will be tough to move," Ingram said. "He is going to command a double team."
With Gloucester being an aggressive blitz-oriented defensive unit, the strength will lie in the front seven. Junior Chris Burke will join Brown and Shairs at linebacker.
The secondary will feature plenty of playing time for seniors Cusumano, Tomaino, Adam Philpott, Matt Catarino and Ben Chianciola. So far in that group, the 6-foot-4 Philpott has stood out with his size and athleticism.
"Adam is a good tackler and he understands the game. He just knows sports and has a good savvy on the field," Ingram said.
Tomaino, who will be the leader among the defensive backs, has liked what he has seen.
"I think we've looked pretty good," he said. "We always have things we can work on, but for the most part the defense has looked good. The front seven will be just as strong as last year, if not stronger. I think the secondary will be the same because we have a lot of experience back there."
Dealing with the hype
Preseason hype is nothing new to Gloucester. Every year the Fishermen are a Super Bowl contender.
However, expectations have been taken up a notch this year, with many feeling that this could be the strongest team of the last four years. ESPN Boston, for example, has the Fishermen ranked eighth in the entire state and No. 1 in Division 1A.
"We don't care about the hype," said Shairs. "We see it and people tell us about it, but we don't really care."
Inside Fishermen camp, they know that there are concerns that they still have to iron out. As of Tuesday, Ingram had not selected a place-kicker or punter. Gloucester also has a starting quarterback who has never thrown a varsity pass in senior Joseph Avila.
Avila beat out fellow senior Alex Silveira in a tightly-contested QB battle, and has demonstrated a strong command of the offense. Just how much responsibility Ingram will give Avila will remain to be seen.
"We haven't played a game yet. It's cliche, but it's honest," said Ingram. "Expectations are very high, and there are going to be those days when we'll just have to suck it up. It comes with the territory. Just because we were good last year doesn't mean anything for this year.
"I like what I've seen so far. It's going to be an enjoyable year because our kids are good students and good role models."
