Football preview: Saugus coach happy with what the season has brought

Saugus football coach Mike Broderick wasn?t sure what to expect this fall as the Sachems began playing an independent schedule before its return to the Northeastern Conference in 2015.What Broderick did know, however, was that the same two individuals who exploded onto the scene a year ago would anchor his offense once again.Quarterback Justin Winn and halfback Dan Cacciola will lead the way for Saugus (6-4) one final time on Thanksgiving morning in a very tough test at Peabody (7-3).?They?ve both meant a great deal to our program and have progressed tremendously over the last two seasons,” said Broderick.Winn was an Item All-Star as a junior after rushing for 1,103 yards and 19 touchdowns while mastering Broderick?s triple-option offensive scheme.With one game to go this season, the 5-feet-8, 160-pound signal caller has proved every bit as consistent, accumulating over 1,100 yards and 20-plus scores.Broderick compared Winn?s abilities to those of assistant coach Bret Reid, who was a senior quarterback for the Sachems in 2009.?Both are a bit undersized for the position but what set them apart was their ability to make great decisions,” said Broderick.?I think having Bret around has been beneficial for Justin, both as a player and a leader. They?ve worked very well together.”What makes Winn?s production all the more impressive is that he has done so much with only half the vision he once possessed.In batting practice during baseball season last spring Winn was hit with a pitch in his left eye. He now has vision loss in that eye.?It has seriously affected his vision,” said Broderick.The Sachem coaching staff has monitored Winn throughout the season.?Justin isn?t one to find or use excuses,”Broderick said. “He has fought through it all year long, playing the same way he always has. It?s been very admirable.”Cacciola knows a thing or two about hindering injuries as well.The 5-feet-11, 170-pound feature back was having a stellar junior season when a bad knee forced him to the sidelines for a stretch.?Dan was on the fast track to a sensational year before the injury cut into his availability,” said Broderick. Cacciola picked up this season where he left off in 2013, rushing for over 1,400 yards with 18 touchdowns this year.Sticking with the 2009 comparisons, Broderick likened Cacciola to former Sachems running back and work horse Mike Dean. Despite different styles, Broderick has seen similar performances from Cacciola.?Speed wise they are extremely comparable,” he said.?Mike was more of the punishing type who liked to initiate the contact while Dan has excelled through acceleration. When our offensive line does its job, Dan takes care of the rest with the tremendous ability to find open holes.”On Thursday Cacciola will attempt to exceed (or at last match) the output from Tanners? stalwart Doug Santos, who according to Broderick, will draw the extreme focus of captain Nick Vokey and fellow senior Luke Surette.?(Santos) will be the best running back we?ve faced this season so our defense knows they?re in for a challenge,” said Broderick, who lauded Peabody?s abrupt turnaround under coach Mark Bettencourt.?We sensed that they were righting the ship last season and they?ve now become a very good football team. Our guys are geared up and ready for the chance to make it a three-year winning streak on Thanksgiving.”