Injured player learns coaching ropes

Billerica's Holland continues to lead

Billerica junior Jimmy Holland (right) injured his knee in a preseason scrimmage and can only watch practice, but although sidelined, he is helping to coach the team. (Photos by Ellen Harasimowicz for the Boston Globe)

Jimmy Holland spent the entire summer preparing for this season: Countless hours in the weight room, on the practice field, and watching film, all culminating in a breakout season for the Billerica High junior.

Until one meaningless play during a scrimmage sidelined the 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver/linebacker before he could play a single down.

Holland tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Indians' scrimmage against Lexington. Two weeks later, he roamed the sidelines, yelling out adjustments to his teammates, when Billerica beat Burlington, 22-20, in the season opener.

"I went down and felt something weird in my knee," said Holland. "I didn't think I'd torn my ACL, and we hadn't got the results until after our first game. It was tough to realize my season was done, but coach [Peter Flynn] sat me down and said that I was now part of the coaching staff."

Last season, as a sophomore, Holland started as a slot receiver and linebacker. As he helped the Indians go 8-3, he garnered attention from several Division 1A colleges. Now his college prospects partially hinge on upon the highlight reel that he and Flynn put together last season.

His new role as unofficial coach, however, is something Holland said will help set him apart from other recruits.

"It's something I'm going to take advantage of," he said. "I can't go out and play, so I'm going to try to help the team in other ways. It's something I can say I've done that most players haven't. Some of the coaches took it hard when we learned I was out. I took it hard too. Then again, things could be a lot worse. I can still be at practices and games and work with the guys."

Flynn said he welcomes Holland's presence.

"He's been a starter since he was a freshman," said the 19-year coach. "We don't want to lose that dedication, that passion he has for the game. I told him I'd love for him to help with the linebackers, the quarterbacks and he embraced that.

"It really tore him up not to play - it tore us up too - but it's helping him to be a part of the structure, be a part of the team. Having him around the younger guys is the best for Jimmy and the team."

Holland is scheduled to have surgery on Oct. 15. He said he hopes to be on the sideline two days later when Billerica hosts New Hampshire powerhouse Bishop Guertin.

A multisport athlete, Holland will not play hockey this winter, but if he sticks to his rehabilitation schedule, he could suit up for the varsity lacrosse team in April.

Despite Holland's absence, the Indians' offense still managed to put points on the board, following up the Burlington win with victories over Woburn (34-6) and Methuen (14-0).

The Indians have been playing two quarterbacks, junior Wayne Boles and promising freshman Nick LaSpada.

"We didn't want to rush him, to throw too much at him, but his mastery of the offense, his reads are there," said Flynn of LaSpada. "He's a pure thoroughbred. He's 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, and he just turned 14; he is the finest athlete I've seen at Billerica since Tommy Glavine."

Running backs Greg Orekoya and Bryan Higgins are the mainstays in the backfield.

The defense, according to Higgins, took a major hit when Holland went down.

"It was a big loss when he got hurt," said Higgins, an outside linebacker on defense. "He's a leader; he makes the biggest hits, the biggest plays. It's good to see him supporting us on the sidelines. He's our 12th man; he just can't be out there with us. He does the same things he does when he's playing - he steps up, gets us fired up, and is vocal."

Holland agreed.

"I think I'm learning how to be a different kind of leader now," said Holland. "Seeing practices and games as an observer is a new perspective. It's different trying to lead from inside the huddle to from the sidelines."

Quick hits

Wilmington (3-0) was dominant once again in a 21-7 win over Lexington.

The Wildcats racked up 280 yards of offense, including 261 on the ground on the legs of quarterback Steve Stewart and running back Kevin Moriarty.

"Steve has looked fantastic so far," said head coach Mike Barry. "He played some quarterback as a sophomore, moved to wide receiver last year, and has become such a versatile player this year. He can get you in the air or on the ground."

Stewart ended his night with 116 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.

Two-way player Anthony Nihan had a solid night, delivering a key block that sprung Stewart for a 22-yard touchdown run on the Wildcats' first series. On defense, he recovered a fumble to set up Wilmington's second touchdown.

"It's a young team, but one that won't let that be an excuse," said Barry. "The guys know when it's time to be serious and get down to business. So far, practices have been fun and fast-paced. It helps them get used to game situations and translate that into wins."

Rich helps Hermon

Former Chelmsford High standout Tim Rich helped Northfield Mount Hermon record its first win of the season, a 29-6 victory over Worcester Academy. Rich, who quarterbacked Chelmsford to the Division 1A Super Bowl title last fall, hauled in five catches for 66 yards and also threw a completion to Max Wright for a 2-point conversion.

Sapna Pathak can be reached at sportsgalsp@gmail.com.