'We have two great QBs': QB battle a story to watch for North Quincy High football

QUINCY – For the North Quincy High football team, being in the Patriot League Fisher Division means nothing will come easy.

And for head coach Ryan Craig, naming a starting quarterback will be another difficult decision. Senior Charlie Baker and junior Mikey Galligan, who both received playing time last season, are battling for the QB1 spot.

“We have two great QBs; it’s a great problem to have,” said Craig.

Both quarterbacks already have varsity experience under center. Both players received starts last fall. Craig said the competition is "surely something to watch."

For senior captains Jordan Mahoney and Nate Sampson, they both are excited about the options the Raiders have at QB. They’re also excited about the high numbers and competition that this training camp has brought.

“We've got so much competition, which, honestly, is going to be good because they’re pushing each other all to be better,” said Sampson. “The next four years we’re going to have some real good quarterbacks.”

Sampson and Mahoney anchor the Raiders' strength, which is their experience at the skill positions. Sampson shined bright in the big moments last year at wide receiver and defensive back. Now as a captain, his leadership will play a role. And whoever wins the QB job will have a receiver ready for a breakout season at his disposal.

Mahoney on the other hand, will be the quarterback on the defensive side as a linebacker. He’s a three-year starter who also will get the bulk of carries at running back. Craig stressed the only weakness on the team is the inexperience on the front line.

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After graduating only nine seniors last year, NQ has a big core of 26 seniors this fall.

The biggest thing that was stressed by the two captains and Craig was their bright future. Although high expectations are in store for the Raiders for this season, a talented freshman class has the squad giddy about the future.

“We’ve got a good core nucleus that’s young,” said Craig. “They’re hungry, they want to play football, we have a big ninth-grade group that just came in. They came in fresh off a Super Bowl with Quincy Youth Football.”

The no-huddle

Aside from the Baker/Galligan clash for starting under center, NQ has some other key returners. Behind Mahoney and Sampson will be another group of fast guys. Seniors Will Conley and brothers Ben and Dan Hudach will be backs on both sides of the ball.

Seniors Nehea Panariti and Paul Glynn will return as tight ends. Michael Phinney, Alan Guan, and Noah Baker will all get their shot to start on the offensive and defensive line after an upperclassmen-filled front line last year.

2022 recap

The Raiders finished the season 3-7 overall, with a 2-5 regular-season record. They failed to reach the postseason. After jumping out to a 2-0 start with wins over Malden Catholic and Somerville, NQ went on to lose the next five games. The Raiders had trouble finding a win within a loaded Patriot League.

Three names to know

Taylen Marquez, RB/LB: Marquez and Mahoney played together during spring league along with putting work in the weight room. The senior captain put a lot of hype into Marquez, who is also a senior.

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Will Conley, WR/CB: Now as a senior, the slot receiver will fight to be a top target for their QB this season. Sampson said Conley has been working hard this offseason.

Jordan Mahoney, RB/LB: “He is a very big part to our team, both offense, defense, and (with his) leadership role. He was recently elected captain for his hard work in the offseason,” said Craig.

They said it

Mahoney on his mindset: “(My) mindset is dig. Go for the win, put as money points on the board, and just lead the team to possibly a championship. Go play at Gillette.”

Craig on what he learned from last year: “We’re going to do things a little bit differently. You learn each year from things that worked well for you and things that work didn’t. We’re going to try do some new things … we’re expecting a big year.”

North Quincy 2023 schedule

Friday, Sept. 8: at Oliver Ames, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 15: vs Braintree, 7

Friday, Sept. 22: at Malden Catholic, 6

Friday, Sept. 29: vs Cohasset, 7

Thursday, Oct. 5: at Plymouth South, 6

Friday, Oct. 13: at Pembroke, 7

Friday, Oct. 20: vs Scituate, 7

Friday, Oct. 27: vs Hanover, 7

Thursday, Nov. 23: vs Quincy, 10 a.m. (Veterans Stadium)

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: North Quincy High football team 2023 season preview