Rocket Football Weekly Update

by Drew Johnson ('15)

This is the first of Drew Johnson's weekly updates on the RMHS football team.  Check back throughout the season for the latest reactions from the Rocket players and coaching staff.

The sweatshirts are being pulled out, the jeans are being slipped on, and the leaves are beginning to fall. At Reading Memorial High School those aren’t just indications of autumn but of a season even more highly anticipated: football season.

Before the ball was even snapped local observers had high expectations for the Rockets.  ESPN: Boston ranked the Rockets 3rd overall in the state. Unfortunately in the first two weeks, the team has not held on to that ranking.

In their opening game, Reading was able to rebound from a horrible first half against Dracut and get the victory by the skin of their teeth, 22-21. In their home opener against Arlington on Friday (9/27), the situation seemed to get worse, as they lost 17-14.

Coach John Fiore, who I was fortunate enough to speak to on Tuesday, isn’t caught up in the pre-season hype. “The only ranking that matters is the one in December,” he told me, of course referring to his program’s pursuit of another playoff berth.

Coach Fiore is concerned about one theme that has emerged this season:  the slow start. “In both games the second half has been more what I think we are accustomed to as far as our standard of play,” said Coach Fiore, reflecting on the comeback against Dracut and the near comeback against Arlington. “We have to start fast.”

Another recurring theme so far in this young season is the number of times Reading has simply given the ball away to the opposition. “We need to protect the football.  We turned the ball over several times in the past two games. It’s a trend that we have to change,” said the coach.

When I asked him how the team plans on fixing their mistakes, Coach Fiore responded, “We have to be better today than we were yesterday. In football, no matter what level it is, that’s really the only approach that works.”           

Reading’s next opponent awaits them this Saturday at 7pm in Winchester, where quarterback Drew Belcher is expected to start despite landing awkwardly on his shoulder at the end of the game against Arlington.