By Geena Monahan – For the North Star Reporter
It has been eight months since the North Attleborough Red Rocketeers defeated the Mansfield Hornets in the Division 3 MIAA State Football Championship, and preparations have begun for this year’s bid to defend their title and build upon their previous success.
Under the leadership of head coach Michael Strachan for the fourth consecutive year, the
varsity football team began official practices on Aug. 18. The team also held twice-daily
weightlifting sessions throughout the summer in anticipation of their home opener against
Brockton on Friday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m.
“I think last year’s class set the expectations for this year’s seniors and this year’s captains, and set the tone for expectations moving forward,” said Michael Strachan, commenting on the added pressure that comes with last season’s big win.
According to Michael Strachan, the team lost 18 seniors after high school graduation, including one of last year’s captains, Ryan Bannon, who scored three touchdowns in the Super Bowl win over Mansfield. However, four starters will return this year on offense and defense, providing opportunities for some sophomores to start this season. Michael Strachan noted that this shift will allow the coaching staff to focus on the development of these young players for the future.
With a new class of seniors brings new captains, and Michael Strachan spoke highly of the four co-captains nominated by their teammates for this season: Connor Casey, Nathan Rivera, Corey Rofino and Frankie Strachan.
“I really like our captains and our seniors this year; they’re great mentors to the younger kids and hold not only themselves accountable, but the whole team,” said Michael Strachan. “They’re leaders not only on the football field, but in the community as well as at the high school.”
As Frankie Strachan enters his final year playing football for North Attleborough, his focus is on taking the season one week at a time and stacking up victories.
“As defending state champions there is a sense of pride throughout our team and community, but with that comes the added pressure,” said Frankie Strachan. “We are definitely a very different team than we were last year, losing that big senior group, but I am confident in the group of guys that we have here for this season, and I’m just excited to get the ball rolling.”
Frank Strachan, a Red Rocketeers staff member and brother of Michael Strachan, has also
coached his son, Frankie Strachan, over the past 10 years, most recently at the varsity level. To Frankie Strachan, “finishing out this journey” with his father is one of the things he looks forward to most during his senior year.
“To be named a captain of this football team is an incredible honor and responsibility that is not taken lightly,” said Frankie Strachan. “My family has always been a big part of this town and program, with my dad and uncle both playing for the high school at one point, and being able to navigate this year under the leadership of them is very special to my family and me.”
As Michael Strachan looks ahead to this season, he sees a challenging schedule with no easy weeks, and plans to take each game as it comes with a detailed, individualized approach.
“For us there are no easy games. We play in the Hockomock League, which I think is the best league in the state,” said Michael Strachan. Our non-league games are with Brockton, a Division 1 program; King Phillip, which has been to the Super Bowl traditionally year in and year out; and Taunton, another Division 1 program.”
For Michael Strachan, the experience of coaching football in his hometown, at the same high school he attended and played at, is an honor that he doesn’t take for granted as he returns to the field year after year.
“There is not a better community in the state, in my opinion,” said Michael Strachan. “The
people in North Attleborough have been super responsive and receptive to the football program, and I just love that football is important to them.”