By Liam O’Brien
Sports Reporter
Although the football team’s promising campaign ended on a particularly sour note with a 42-12 playoff defeat at the hands of Haverhill, the Lions have every reason to be proud of their performance over the course of the season.
The team achieved goals that hadn’t been reached in the entire history of the program while providing students with a sense of community and passion for their school.
Think about it. A winless team just three years ago has now beaten conference rival Acton-Boxborough and made a playoff appearance for the first time in over 30 years.
Throughout the season, the Lions emerged from numerous tight, down-to-the-wire games (such as the under-the-lights home showdown against Westford).
Plus, South has a plethora of reasons to be optimistic for next fall, returning multiple skill position players who led one of the most high-powered offenses in the state this year.
Sophomore Austin Burton, whose breakout year included a 419-yard, five-touchdown outing against A-B and ESPN Boston Player of the Week honor, will be back in 2015 with many of the same weapons that he developed chemistry with over the past two seasons.
Junior wideouts Anthony DeNitto, who led the team in both receiving yards and touchdowns prior to the collarbone injury he suffered against Waltham, and Frankie Barros, who found his way into the end zone on a number of occasions this year, are both returning next season in addition to sophomore tight end Sasha Hoban.
At running back, junior Jamyre Soberanis, an elusive threat who proved himself capable of breaking off long, momentum-swinging runs in any situation, will look to continue his success next season as well. In addition to his efficiency as the primary ball carrier, Soberanis also displayed his prowess as a slot receiver in the absence of DeNitto, gaining 153 receiving yards on 12 catches against Waltham, while senior Liam Brandel received the majority of the carries.
Key junior contributors George Morgan, Chris Walden, Herbie Floyd, and Maxx Teitelman are also planning to return in 2015, providing a heightened sense of optimism unparalleled by any prior year.
The Lions play their final game away on Thanksgiving, Nov 27, against Lincoln- Sudbury.
