Full speed ahead for South football

NASHUA – Scott Knight is just two days into practice, but he can already tell this year’s Nashua High School South football team is different.

“This is the fastest team we’ve had,” the South coach said. “Speed will make or break your team. We all stress speed. This team right now is pretty fast.”

About 18 or 19 players clocked in less than five seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to Knight, and most of those players were sprinters for the outdoor track team last spring, including the four who were on the 4x100-meter relay team.

“We’ve had more participation from our football team in track, in sprinting, and it shows now,” Knight said.

Two of those speed guys are seniors Armond McRae and Derek Paradis, who not only will be called upon to carry the weight offensively, but also step into leadership roles as the Panthers progress through the preseason.

“It’s been different because we don’t have our seniors from last year,” Paradis said. “It’s been wicked weird, really.”

While the seniors paid attention to what last year’s graduating class did on and off the field, this group is trying to use what they’ve learned and take their own approach.

“We looked at the seniors last year and watched what they did and how teammates responded to that,” McRae said. “We’re trying to be a little more relaxed, but we want everyone to be high-tempo and flying around. This year, we have a high level of dedication to our team. We’re all focused on one goal, which is a state championship.”

One thing that the Panthers haven’t had to worry much about is a change in the coaching staff.

“We’ve been together for a long time, so when we get out there, it’s like clockwork,” Knight said. “It helps when you have guys who have been together for as many years as we’ve been together. Things are going very smoothly. No unexpected bumps in the road yet.”