LYNN — The KIPP Academy football program has enjoyed success since launching seven years ago. For coach Jim Rabbitt, he hopes this year is no different as Panther football returns on Aug. 16.

Although preseason doesn’t start until next week, players have been putting in work since last season’s conclusion, which has been a big part of the program’s success, according to Rabbitt.

“Our preseason really began in December. Our guys have a great lifting and workout culture in the program. Our AD, Anthony Grimaldi, really spearheaded that effort. The winter to the spring, to over the summer, our priority was getting the kids physically ready,” Rabbitt said. “We do the 7-on-7s at Fenwick, too. It’s a really competitive league, which is great.”

With a Super Bowl appearance under its belt in 2022 and another winning record last season, KIPP is starting to be known as a winning program, something Rabbitt hopes will continue. But what he enjoys more than that is success in the classroom.

“We’ve been really lucky and fortunate to have coaches and players in the program who have understood the things it takes to succeed,” Rabbitt said. “Football is hard and it’s gotten harder to win and succeed. We have guys who bought in and it shows on and off the field. We’ve got Morenel (Castro) playing at Trinity next year. We have players at Middlebury, Hobart, and UMass Amherst. I hope this culture continues. Us coaches push in the right direction, hopefully, but the players are the ones who need to buy in and they have.” 

Losing superstar players like Morenel Castro will always be a tough pill to swallow.

“That’s going to be the hardest part. Losing a special player like Morenel, who had a bulk of our carries or catches last year, it’s hard to replicate that. We have a bunch of guys who collectively will try to handle that workload,” Rabbitt said. “Being collective can be dangerous, too. If you only have two guys to shut down, the opposition may be able to get by. When you’re balanced, which I think that’s what we’re heading for, I think you’re more dangerous and harder to stop.” 

The good news, however, is that the offensive and defensive lines are returning, looking to keep the pocket clean and stop the run game. 

“Densel Gomez, Yadley Corridon, Franly Marte, Jayden Anaya, and junior Joseph Beato,” Rabbitt said. “Our whole offensive line is back, which is a huge plus for us. Whoever gets the ball will have good protection. Those guys, collectively, are going to carry because they’ve been varsity players with us for years now and they’re all together for their senior seasons.”

A player the line will have to keep safe is sophomore quarterback Elai Machado. 

“He’s someone to look forward to. He’s a sophomore this year and, last year, had a chance to win the job, but he had an injury late in the summer,” Rabbitt said. “He’s grown so much. He’s 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. He’s worked out all summer and we’re really looking forward to seeing what we get out of him the next three years.”

What makes Machado special? Beyond the physical tools needed, Rabbitt said he has the mindset and willingness to put the work in. 

“He’s a cerebral player. It’s not just his skillset. He’s got the right frame for a quarterback. He’s tall and has great arm strength,” Rabbitt said. “He’s done so much on both the mental and physical side. Between quarterback camps and going to college showcases, he does everything that a quarterback has to do to be ready to compete – and he takes his craft really seriously.” 

Luckily for Machado, he’ll have a great receiver to throw to in Jose Echavarria, a player Rabbitt is looking to lean on this fall. 

“He’ll be our primary guy for leadership and skill. Some of our skill guys are on the younger side and less experienced, so we’ll lean on him,” Rabbitt said.

KIPP’s first game is against St. Mary’s, a team Rabbitt has lots of respect for. Sean Driscoll, coach of the Spartans, said the matchup is “turning into a rivalry.”

Rabbitt agrees.

“We’re trying our best to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead. We’re taking a bye Week 1, but our first game against St. Mary’s is awesome. It’s a great game for the city and becoming a great rivalry,” he said. “We were there until the very end with them last year, and it just showcases how far our program has come. They’re a proven program with a spectacular coach and amazing players, so when you’re competing with them, you know you’re on the right track.”