NORTH ANDOVER — Despite the heavy drizzle and cold temperatures, several hundred fans came out to Duane Stadium on Thursday to watch the Merrimack College football team’s spring game. The contest featured the Warriors’ offense against the defense in a series of different situations spread out over an hour-plus.
“I thought the guys did a great job. We challenged them to come out (and have a successful game),” said head coach Mike Gennetti. “For us, expectations is just to continue to improve and today we did that. Number 1, first and foremost, is we stayed healthy. That was great and obviously that was my biggest concern. We wanted to come out here and execute and put these guys in situations and see them run around and make good decisions. That’s what it’s all about – kind of a culmination of everything here in the spring. I thought they all did an excellent job.”
This was Gennetti’s first spring game as the head coach, but he’s been on the sidelines for these spring battles as an assistant coach the past two decades. The concept of keeping it in-house, offense against defense, is something he thinks is important.
“Not splitting the team into two groups and going offense verses defense (is our focus on the night),” he said. “Last year coach (Dan) Curran had a great point system and we used that same system tonight, where we divided the points up so the defense can have some opportunities to score as well so the guys understand what they are getting points for and keeping it competitive.
“We have done really well with this game the past few years. We’ve had it pretty cranked up and tonight we had a good crowd considering the weather. It was a good turnout and I was really pleased with it. We had a bunch of recruits here so it was really good.”
The four signal-callers
The team’s four quarterbacks – Gavin McCusker, Malakai Anthony, Ayden Pereira and Justin Lewis – are all battling for the No. 1 spot come September. They all rotated in with McCusker starting five drives and completing 4-of-9 passes, Anthony starting three drives and completing 1-of-2 passes including a quick slant which turned into a 70-yard TD to Jalen McDonald.
Former two-time Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year Pereira started three drives and finished completing 2-of-5 passes, and Lewis started three drives and finished 1-for-3.
“They all did some things well and they have some things that they need to clean up obviously,” said Gennetti. “You have to watch the film and evaluate it from there. All of those guys are doing a great job of competing. This by no means is any kind of decision on our part (on who the starter will be). They have to keep working throughout the summer and then obviously fall camp we’ll see much more.”
Pereira attempted two passes on his first drive. The first was overthrown and the second was dropped. His second series was a long successful drive capped off by a TD run by Brendan Wyatt. The big play came on a 30-yard scramble by Pereira, who ducked away from oncoming traffic and darted straight ahead. He followed that up by completing two short passes, leading to the TD run.
“That (30-yard run) definitely helped with the momentum and anytime you do that it helps kick start the drive,” Pereira said. “You have to connect (on some of those passes) but some of that is just getting (more) reps (in) with the guys, getting the timing, gauging people’s speed when they are one hundred percent and when they are a little tired from a long drive. That’ll come and it’s just a matter of getting used to guys.”
Pereira was asked if he had the timing down better with certain receivers over others.
“The one with Seth (Sweitzer) in the (left hand) corner over there (was a timing issue on my part) and he’s one of the guys who I have thrown a lot of reps to,” said Pereira. “Some of it is just getting out here in a game and doing it against a defense where (your receivers) can run their route and you can hit them in the air. Then (how does your receivers handle getting) a little bump, how do they play that off, how do they get off press and how do they handle tight coverage, and all those things that go along with the reps. I don’t think I feel more comfortable with one receiver over the next, it’s really just (getting the timing down with) everyone.”
Several Stars of the Game
If the media were picking out the stars of the game, certainly McDonald, defensive back Tre Jordan and kicker Kendall Carter would be among the top three choices. This past fall season, McDonald caught one pass late in the season but the plan is to get him more involved in the offense for the 2024 season.
“McDonald has been unbelievable all winter and here into the spring,” said Gennetti. “He’s a fantastic player. We are really excited about him. He’s a great kid and he works his butt off.”
Jordan, along with defensive lineman Nick Lenon, have drawn some interest from NFL scouts thus far. Thursday, Jordan — coming off a strong season including 27 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in eight games — broke up two long pass attempts. Carter connected on two field goals coming from 27 and 45 yards out.
Latham finds the end zone
Besides Pereira, another former Central Catholic star, Matthias Latham of Salem, N. H., scored on a 1-yard run later in the night. This past season he had one rush for 3 yards. Gennetti said a few weeks ago that the plan is for Latham to see more time on the field and get more carries.
Packing Up
With the spring season completed, Gennetti was asked what’s next?
“Recruiting. We have to finish up this semester and we have exit meetings with some players, but it’ll mostly be recruiting,” he answered. “The whole staff will be on the road, up and down the East Coast, as well as Pennsylvania and we’ll be doing that from now until the middle to the end of May. Then guys will be coming back in June for workouts, and we’ll be onto the next phase.”
Upcoming Season
Merrimack will open its independent schedule with the first of three road games on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Air Force Academy in Colorado. It’ll be the first meeting between the two schools. After that will be trips to UConn and Bucknell before the home opener against UMaine on Saturday, September 21. The entire 2024 schedule is on the Merrimack College Football website, but game times have yet to be released.