Captains corner: Catching up with Saugus football’s leaders

By Dom Nicastro

The Saugus High School football team had a bye to start the season and opens things up this Friday night, Sept. 13, on the road against Cambridge Rindge & Latin at 6 p.m.

Leading the way this year for the Sachems will be captains Cody Munafo and Koby Jette. The veterans have big visions for the team, which showed tremendous improvement last fall. Munafo had a torn MCL last year and missed some time but is ready to go.

The Saugus Advocate caught up with the captains as they get ready for their 2024 opener.

Advocate: How many years have you played football?

  Munafo: I have been playing football for 10 years since I was six.

Jette: I have played since the start of high school.

Advocate: What positions are you playing this year?

  Munafo: I play running back and linebacker.

Jette: I play guard on offense, defensive end and defensive tackle on defense.

Advocate: Last year, Saugus had a great start then was riddled by injuries. What did the team prove last year as far as what type of team it can be?

  Munafo: Four of the starters last year mid-season got hit with injuries while three of them were captains. So we had to change our play scheme around. It showed that everyone could adapt and change to a different play style.

Jette: After all the injuries, we were able to push through and improve without important members of the team. People had to step up and be able to fill the missing spots we had due to injuries.

Advocate: What do you believe can be strengths of the team this fall and why?

  Munafo: I believe that we’re going to have a good run game that’s gonna open up the passing game.

  Jette: Great team chemistry and people who can work hard no matter how young they are.

Advocate: Where are some areas you need to improve and how so?

  Munafo: We have to improve on our communication on the field. We need to be more vocal so everyone is on the same page.

  Jette: We need to work on our plays and be able to execute our plays in a better fashion. And it’s only small improvements we need to make.

Advocate: What was the summer/offseason like as far as getting ready and getting players together?

  Munafo: As soon as the season ended, we were in the weight room right away, getting ready for the next season. We also had a lot of underclassmen showing up and getting ready to work and contribute to the team beneficially.

  Jette: During the offseason, we all worked very hard to prepare for the upcoming season. A lot of young guys showed up for these workouts; they proved that they have a lot to give for Saugus High football.

Advocate: What are your personal goals for this season?

  Munafo: Last year, I only scored one touchdown, so I’m looking forward to seeing the end zone a lot more than just one time this season.

  Jette: Going for more of a defensive role and to be able to make plays for the rest of the team on defense.

Advocate: What’s it like playing in the Northeastern Conference with no off nights?

  Munafo: The games get very competitive and usually every team we play has a unique play style so we usually have to adapt to new play style every week.

  Jette: I think as long as we stay together as a team, we can overcome any team that gives us good challenge. We just need to get into our playbooks and be on our keys.

Advocate: What do you want to accomplish as a captain?

  Munafo: As a senior captain, I want to end the season with a healthy and good environment for all the returning players and for the future players to join the Saugus High School football team.

  Jette: As a captain, I would like to exhibit good qualities of what a captain should be. I am excited to see how I can change the atmosphere in the locker room and on and off the field. I want everyone to know they are welcome to Saugus High football and other teams to be excited to play us.