Coach Mike Stellato greeted the 2011 edition of the Chelsea High football team for their first practice session of the season Monday. Stellato was set to put his charges through single sessions through Wednesday and then bring on what is every football player’s favorite endeavor in the August heat and humidity, double sessions, on Thursday and Friday, before returning to a single session on Saturday.
“Everybody’s excited for the beginning of practice,” said Stellato. “Enthusiasm is very high and we’re all looking forward to a new year.”
Stellato and his crew will waste no time in getting down to business, as they will host Georgetown Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. for their first pre season scrimmage.
The 2011 Red Devils will be led by a quartet of captains: Senior Joseph Saez, a running back and linebacker; senior Hector Rivera, a running back and defensive back; senior Rony Gomez, a defensive end and tight end; and junior Raul Flores, a running back and linebacker. The foursome were chosen to lead their teammates at last season’s break up banquet.
Chelsea will play a 10 game schedule in ’11, including a Thanksgiving Day game against non league rival Matignon High in Somerville. The Devils’ other non league foe this season will be Trinity Catholic.
There was a minor shakeup in the alignment of the Large and Small Divisions of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference for 2011, with Northeast Regional Vocation School moving up to the large division and Greater Lowell moving down.
The Small Division will be comprised of Chelsea, Greater Lowell, Mystic Valley, and No. Shore Tech. The Large Division will consist of defending Division 4 Super Bowl champion Shawsheen Tech, defending Division 4A Super Bowl champion N.E. Regional, Greater Lawrence, Whittier Tech, and Lynn Tech.
The winner of each division will qualify for the post season playoffs and a shot at a Super Bowl berth.
Stellato and company will open their regular season on Friday evening, September 9, at home against Lynn Tech. Kick off is slated for 7:00.