SAUGUS — Thinking back to last season, seventh-year Saugus football coach Steve Cummings kept it honest. His Sachems faced challenges, and you even could’ve called it a rebuild.
“We graduated so much from the previous year and knew we were going to be really green in a lot of places,” said Cummings, whose team finished 4-7 after a Turkey Day loss to Peabody, “but we lost four games by less than a touchdown with a lot of young guys on the field. There was one point last year when we had five freshmen on offense – at big spots, too.”
Thanks to returning players and offseason work, Cummings said morale has been strong.
“We’ve had a really, really, really good and competitive camp,” he said. “When you have guys who have played varsity football, they’re playing with confidence. They know what it’s like to be playing under the lights on Friday – they’re not new.”
Ahead of game No. 1 against Cambridge Rindge and Latin (Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m.), Cummings said preseason scrimmages have been going well.
“Our offensive line was able to move people up front (against Newburyport). We looked sharp and looked good. We’re further ahead than we’ve been the last couple of years, based on dedication and what we have back.”
Speaking of players coming back, Saugus sports 11 seniors and five captains.
Koby Jette (6-5, 270 pounds) returns as a second-year captain alongside Jordan Rodriguez, who’s effective in zone and man coverage, while also being versatile offensively.
“They’re pushing this program in the right way,” Cummings said. “He’s (Jette) moving people; he’s turned into an absolute dude and doing it on both sides of the ball.”
Chris Mazin has put in summertime work, according to his head coach, and brings toughness on both sides of the ball.
“If you had seen Chris Mazin when he was a freshman, to now, I don’t even think you’d think it was the same kid,” Cummings said, “but he was never afraid of contact. Now, he’s got a couple years in the weight room.”
Then there’s middle linebacker/fullback Nathan Santos, who’s quite vocal and doesn’t take any snaps off.
“He’s the same during a Tuesday practice that he is during a game,” Cummings said.
Saugus’ fifth and final captain is Ryan Shea, an all-Northeastern Conference wide receiver from last season who led the NEC in interceptions from the safety spot.
“Freak talent,” Cummings said.
In 2023, Saugus began 3-0 before suffering a handful of injuries to key players, including its starting quarterback.
That said, Cummings and company found positives from a negative.
“It happened fast, but our seniors now were sophomores on that team. They had a chance to get a taste of what it took to start like that.”
And, of course, the goal is to win a league title, an accomplishment Cummings often speaks about with his players.
“That hasn’t happened in Saugus for a long time – I think 1975. So, we talk about it . . . we want to be the team that breaks that trend of 40-plus years of not having one.
“We want to hang one in that gym.”
