Jim Kelliher intends on having fun with each second of his fiftieth and closing season on the Abington sideline.
His staff has solely added to the early season enjoyment.
A strong 33-0 win over Silver Lake gave the Green Wave a 3-0 document heading into this week’s contest with Norwell. Does the quick begin give Kelliher any regret about deciding to hold them up?
“Not one second thought at all,” mentioned Kelliher, whose 308 wins ranks fourth on the state’s all-time listing. “I’ve known for a while that this was going to be my last year. I’ve got assistants who have been with me for more than 20 years and it’s their time. They’ve been great to work with and the administration has been awesome.”
Sometimes when a coach has determined to hold up his whistle, there may be extra stress to attempt to exit with a bang. Kelliher mentioned the reverse has been true for him by the preseason and three weeks of the common season.
“Personally, I feel like there has been less pressure,” Kelliher mentioned. “I’m having a blast going to practice every day. We are having a great time, the players are great to be around and I love the coaches.”
The tone was set within the season opener when Abington dealt with an excellent Cohasset staff, 20-7. Given what the Skippers have carried out since, the win carries added significance.
“We know it was going to be a big game, Cohasset is a very tough opener,” Kelliher mentioned. “(Cohasset coach) Peter (Afanasiw) is a good guy and someone I have a great deal of respect for. He does a great job with his team and we’re both very happy when the other has success.”
The newest little bit of success got here final week in opposition to Silver Lake. Five totally different backs ran for at the very least 40 yards and two different backs scored touchdowns.
“We’ve got some good guys and we just didn’t want them sitting around,” Kelliher mentioned. “The coaches and I agreed to throw the kids out there, they’re ready to handle the pressure. After a bit, you could see they clearly responded.”
Kelliher clearly respects the opinions of his assistants with good motive. Eddie Reilly, Jimmy Daly and Scott Pifer have been with him some time together with Dave Lyons, Mike Bruning and Jason Brown. Kelliher credit freshman coaches Mbela Kabongo, Kalonji Kabongo, Tom Shepherd and Keith Faxon for making ready the children to have the ability to change into productive Abington soccer gamers down the street.
Kelliher says he gained’t be round on a regular basis subsequent yr. There is one merchandise on his bucket listing that he says retirement will permit him to examine off.
“I haven’t been to a UMass football game since I played there in the late 1960s,” Kelliher mentioned. “I really want to go back and see if I run into some of my former teammates.”
SWEET 16
1. St. John’s Prep (3-0) – Eagles had little hassle with Haverhill to increase their successful streak to 10.
2. Xaverian (2-1) – Hawks clearly have closed the hole between themselves in opposition to Springfield Central.
3. Catholic Memorial (2-1) – Backfield depth definitely got here in useful in opposition to St. Francis (NY).
4. King Philip (3-0) – Defense held the fort as soon as once more.
5. Billerica (3-0) – Indians received an extended awaited win over perennial MVC energy Central Catholic.
6. Andover (3-0) – Slow begin adopted up by a quick end for the Golden Warriors.
7. Barnstable (3-0) – Redhawks proceed to show a wide range of totally different weapons.
8. Milford (3-0) – Andrew Rivera stepped up when his staff wanted it most.
9. Needham (3-0) – Rockets have been capable of get a giant early lead and relaxation workhorse operating again Tate Hoffmeister.
10. Lincoln-Sudbury (2-1) – This time, time beyond regulation was good to the Warriors in opposition to Brockton.
11. Methuen (2-1) – All Eason, on a regular basis. Certainly labored nicely in opposition to Chelmsford.
12. Everett (2-1) – Second straight shutout in opposition to a recreation, however overmatched GBL opponents.
13. Hanover (3-0) – Indians carry on rolling, using the legs on Vinny Mancini to victory.
14. Milton (3-0) – It was Miller Time a lot to the dismay of the Holliston secondary.
15. Duxbury (2-1) – Give the Dragons for bouncing again after a gap week loss with back-to-back spectacular wins.
16. BC High (3-0) – It’s been some time because the Eagles have landed within the Sweet 16.
ON THE BENCH: Franklin (2-1), North Attleboro (2-1), Weymouth (3-0), Central Catholic (0-3), North Andover (2-0), Wakefield (3-0), Tewksbury (3-0), Melrose (3-0), Foxboro (3-0), Shawsheen (3-0)
Source: www.bostonherald.com