NORTH BERWICK — It has been more than a decade since the Noble Knights last earned a trip to the playoffs — and they are certainly ready to end that drought.
The Knights believe they are on their way back to relevance in Class B South under the leadership of second-year coach Kelly Smith.
“The whole morale of the team has changed,” said senior Bryson Lessard. “Last year was definitely a rebuilding year, but this year we have come together as a team which we really haven’t done in past years. Just everything around here is completely different.”
Senior wide receiver Rian Sullivan echoed that sentiment.
“The whole attitude has changed of this football team,” Sullivan said.
Smith believes players like Lessard and Sullivan will lead the way for the Knights this season.
“(Bryson has) been working hard in the offseason. He brings leadership to the team. He’s worked a lot in the weight room to gain that speed and strength. He brings a good leadership quality to the team, but he’s also able to hit the hole hard. He’s a good kid,” said Smith on Lessard.
One thing Smith doesn’t have to worry about when it comes to Sullivan is his work ethic.
“He’s a lead by example kind of guy, but he’s a go-getter. He wants to fight for that ball every single play. There’s no holding back. It’s full bore every time and that makes a big difference,” Smith said.
The attitude and effort put forth by Lessard and Sullivan have bled over to the rest of the team, according to Smith.
“We don’t have real big guys. We don’t have real fast speed. We’ve got guys that are playing (hard-nosed) football and have to get in the trenches every, single time. They are all good kids and all have a lot of heart … they give everything that they’ve got and that’s all I can ask for,” said Smith.
The Noble seniors will play an important part on the offensive side of the ball, but they will also have critical roles for the Knights’ defense.
“It puts a lot of pressure on our shoulders,” said Sullivan on being leaders on defense. “We’ve got to spend a lot of time watching film, seeing tendencies so we can call stuff out and make sure we’re putting guys in the right spots.”
The Knights would love to bring a Gold Ball back to Noble for the first time since 1997, but that all starts with reaching the Class B South playoffs.
“The goal is definitely playoffs. Everybody’s goal is state championship, but we know we can get to playoffs and that’s what we’re shooting for this year,” said Lessard.
Lessard and Sullivan believe a trip to the playoffs this year would not only be important to the current players, but it could help future Knights.
“It would mean a lot. It would change everything around here,” said Lessard. “I feel like if we were to make playoffs, (in the) years to come it would change the whole morale because the way it’s been around here is just that we lose and that’s what we know, but this year it’s a different feel. I really like being a part of it.”
“It would be huge. We’re taking big steps this year to try and improve this program and help the future of the program, so (making the) playoffs would be a great start,” added Sullivan.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
