RHS football team preparing for new season in a new stadium
Special to the Journal
The Revere High football team has been enduring the proverbial dog days of August as Coach Lou Cicatelli’s Patriots busily prepare for what will be an historic 2015 campaign that will be marked by the inaugural season of the new Harry Della Russo Stadium and adjacent sports complex.
“The new field has been awesome,†said Cicatelli. “The team has been excited to be practicing on it and is looking forward to playing in front of the hometown fans at the new facility.â€
Cicatelli and his crew were forced to play the role of Road Warriors in 2014 thanks to the demolition of the old stadium (which originally was built as a WPA project in the era just before World War II), but now will host five home games in 2015, starting with Medford on opening night September 11.
The “unofficial†kick-off of the new field took place Saturday when the Pats hosted Hamilton-Wenham in what has become an annual pre-season, controlled scrimmage between the two schools. Earlier in the week the Pats played in a jamboree of sorts at Lynn English with a tri-scrimmage with English and Northeast Regional.
Cicatelli and his crew were set to trek to the Manning Bowl yesterday (Tuesday) to face St. Mary’s of Lynn and then will conclude their pre-season Friday when they entertain Marblehead on the HDR field at 3:00 p.m.
“The team has been playing well thus far, especially on defense,†said Cicatelli, who greeted a large turnout of 83 varsity candidates (of whom 30 were freshmen) for this year’s squad.  “The defense is ahead of the offense, as it typically is at this time of year. We held Hamilton-Wenham to less than 10 total yards in 15 plays. We showed some spark on offense, but we have a lot of things to work on in terms of assignments and our timing.â€
A veteran linebacking corps of seniors Steve Noel and Jake Noftle and juniors Anthony DeStefano and John DeSimone will spearhead Cicatelli’s 4-4-3 defensive scheme.
Captains thus far are a pair of senior, three-year starters, speedy quarterback/defensive back Dan Murphy and two-way lineman Brandon Britto, both of whom were junior captains in 2014.
“We have a lot of players coming back with experience,†noted Cicatelli. “There was a learning curve for these players the past two years when they were underclassmen, so we’re hoping for big things this year.â€
However, injuries always play a key role in any prognostication for the coming football season. Britto has been out the past few days with an apparent knee sprain and two other Patriots were sidelined for the St. Mary’s tilt.
Among the pleasant surprises thus far on offense have been tailback Hector River and tight end Oscar Lopez.
“We’re looking forward to a good season and hopefully we’ll qualify for the playoffs,†said Cicatelli, whose squad once again will be competing in the small division of the Northeastern Conference and will be playing in Division 3 in the post-season. “We have the experience and if we can avoid injuries, we anticipate doing well.“
DCR lists schedule of events for North Region Coastal District
All programs for the North Coastal Region sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Most locations are accessible by MBTA but may involve some additional travel. For more information please call the park. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The following activities are offered:
Tidepool Safari-Winthrop Beach
Wednesdays, Sept. 2nd & 16th   9:00 am-10:00 am
Come discover tide pool animals at Winthrop Beach. Be prepared to get your legs and feet wet.
For more information, contact Matthew Nash at [email protected], or 781-485-2804, ext. 105
Meet at: Winthrop Beach Reservation on Winthrop Shore Drive across from Sturgis Street.  Wear a hat, sandals and sunscreen following the instructions on the label. Designed for adults but all ages are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Winthrop Beach, the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh and Save the Harbor Save the Bay.
Secrets of the Salt Marsh Safari-Belle Isle Marsh
Friday, Sept. 4th  9:00-10:30 am
We’ll enjoy a safari on the salt marsh discovering a myriad of plants and animals. Bring boots if you have them. Some boots will be provided. For more information, contact Matthew Nash at [email protected], or 781-485-2804, ext. 105  Meet at: Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Main Parking lot near the bulletin board, Bennington Street, East Boston. Wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant following the instructions on the labels. Designed for adults but all ages welcome. (Not suitable for stollers). Co-sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle marsh.
Discovery Station-Nahant Beach
Thursdays, Sept. 10th and 24th- 10:00am -noon
Come learn about the interesting natural history of Nahant Beach Reservation at this discovery station. The beach is home to interesting plants and animals. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. For more information, contact Matthew Nash at [email protected], or 781-485-2804, ext. 105 Meet at: Beachside in the vicinity of the Ward Bathhouse. All ages are welcome but designed for adults and accompanied children 8 years old and older.
Birding Safari-
Belle Isle Marsh
Fridays, Sept. 11th & 25th    9 a.m. (Stay as long as you want 1 to 2.5 hours)
Come explore the Belle Isle Marsh and observe the beautiful birds that it contains. Stay as long as you want (1 to 2.5 hours). Reasonable accommodations available upon request.  For more information, contact Matthew Nash at [email protected], or 781-485-2804, ext. 105. Meet at: Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Main Parking lot near the bulletin board, Bennington Street, East Boston. Wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant following the instructions on the labels. Designed for adults but all ages are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh.
Oceanside Campfire-Constitution Beach, East Boston
Thursday, Sept. 17th  5:30- 7:30 pm
Views of Boston Harbor and Logan Airport can be enjoyed while toasting marshmallows and dancing with neighbors to music provided by a DJ.  Meet at: Constitution Beach, Zero Barnes Avenue, East Boston.    Appropriate for adults and children accompanied by an adult. Co-sponsored by East Boston YMCA and Save the Harbor Save the Bay.
Be a Friend of Sea Turtles-Beach cleanup-Revere Beach
 Saturday, Sept. 26th (Last Saturday of the Month) 10:00 am- noon
Be a Friend of Sea Turtles. Keep the land and sea litter free and create a litter sculpture and a song about me, whatever you can do us sea turtles need volunteers like you. Adults and children can help marine animals by safely cleaning up the beach using litter grabbers with the option of creating a sea turtle litter sculpture and song. For more information, contact Matthew Nash at [email protected], or 781-485-2804, ext. 105     Meet at: Pavillions in the vicinity of the Reinstein Bandstand on Revere Beach Boulevard, across from 300 Ocean Avenue in Revere and the MBTA Blue line Revere Beach Station. Appropriate for adults and children accompanied by an adult.
