REVERE– Success is measured differently in Revere than it might be in places such as neighboring Everett, or other schools that are annually championship-driven.
It’s not as if coach Lou Cicatelli isn’t gunning for a title. It’s just that in many years, the more immediate goal is having a winning season.
Revere has done that in the past two seasons. Now the trick is to go it again. And if that’s to happen, it’ll be with a younger and more inexperienced squad than the Patriots have had in the last two seasons.
“We’re young, for sure,” Cicatelli says. “We’ll be starting two freshmen, one on offense and one on defense.”
The Patriots graduated three studs off last year’s team: Victor Rivera, Oscar Lopez and Eddie Sullivan, the quarterback.
“Those are tough losses, and it’ll be tough to fill those voids,” Cicatelli said.
But he’s hopeful, especially on defense.
“That’ll be our strong suit,” he said. “We have seven returnees.”
Offense “may be a little worrisome,” said Cicatelli.
Taking over the signal calling for the Patriots this fall will be sophomore Jonathan Murphy.
“It’ll be a steep learning curve,” Cicatelli said. “He has a lot to learn, but once he learns it he will be fine.”
Cicatelli will also be counting on tailback Edeh Ballo, who doubles as a defensive end.
“We’re expecting a lot out of him,” said Cicatelli. “Last year, was a leader on our defense. Carrying the ball is new for him.”
Another key player is Ronnie Marcelino, a senior inside linebacker and right guard.
“He’s a great leader,” Cicatelli said. “He’s a good football player, and he’s a true student-athlete. The kids look up to him and trust him.”
A third key player for the Patriots is Badr Haou, a junior, who will be remembered by some as the kid who kicked the game-winning field goal last year against Lynn English. He will also play free safety and receiver.
“He has good hands,” said Cicatelli.
Next up is Frank Simms, a center and defensive tackle, who will anchor the line on both sides of the ball.
“He’s a tough kid,” Cicatelli said. “He’s strong, and he’s a hard worker.”
Helping Simms out on the line will be Devin Matthias, who is, like Simms, a junior.
Cicatelli sees the Patriots as about 70-30 run-oriented.
“One thing we’re going to have to do, because of our youth and inexperience, is make the offensive schemes a little easier,” he said. “The key for us will have to be execution. Also, our defense is going to have to keep us in a lot of games.”
One of the things that makes Cicatelli extremely happy is the number of freshmen who came out for football this year.
“We had 35,” he said. “That’s a good group, and it bodes well for our future.”
With the merger of the Northeastern Conference and Greater Boston League, Revere will be in the second of a 3-tiered league. The Patriots will be in with Gloucester, Marblehead, Medford, Somerville, Peabody and Classical.
Last year, in the Northeastern Conference/South division, Revere finished second to Gloucester, “and that’s one of our mottos — tired of being second,” Cicatelli said.
As luck would have it, the Patriots open their season Friday night against, you guessed it, Gloucester. Kickoff is at 6:30 at home at Della Russo Stadium.
