PEABODY — Last fall came with a disappointing football season for the Peabody Tanners, who finished with a 2-9 record. Fast forward nearly a year and the Tanners have already started off on the right foot, winning the Open Division of last week’s Northeast 7v7 East Regional Tournament.

One of the new faces is quarterback Dominik Mercier, who is back in Peabody after spending his freshman, sophomore, and junior years at Malden Catholic. 

“There were a lot of uncertainties at Malden Catholic with coaches leaving and the tuition,” Mercier said. “I was in Peabody Public Schools growing up. From elementary school and middle school, I know the school system and some people here.” 

Mercier is back in his home city and “excited” to get onto the football field with some of his childhood friends.

Hopefully, they’ll have as much success as when they were growing up.

“I’m really excited to be back and playing with my friends who I grew up playing with. I grew up playing youth football with them and even the coaches I’m familiar with,” Mercier said. “We were always a good team growing up. We would always make it far. We won a lot of Super Bowls in youth football. To be back with my friends again and have that feeling of playing together again is great.” 

Mercier admits to being the new guy on campus, but he’s putting in the effort to build team chemistry and get the timing down with his receivers. 

“I’m just taking it day by day. I’m going to the field a lot with the guys and we’re working on our timing, and I’m doing my best to just stay in touch with all of them,” Mercier said. “I’m already comfortable with Jack Smith and Mark Mendonca since I grew up with them. For the rest of the guys, I try to keep in touch by texting them when I’m going to the field, working out with them, and throwing with them, just so we can build that chemistry.” 

That chemistry started to pay off at the Northeast 7v7 East Regional Tournament with the Tanners winning their division and qualifying for the New England 7v7 Championship. 

“I know it’s only sevens, but this is where it all starts to see if everyone is ready. This whole tournament, you could tell everyone was ready,” Mercier said. “We had seven games throughout the day and we only lost one. In the playoffs, we beat Xaverian, Andover, and then Masco in the championship game.”

Mercier believes one of his best traits as a football player is leadership. He wants his team to know he’s always there for them — through the good or bad. 

“I know I’m new, but as a quarterback, I have to be that leader to push everyone to be their best,” he said. “I think I’m a big leader — especially when we’re down or when something goes wrong. Kids tend to put their heads down, so I make sure I’m always there for them to bring them up.” 

Mercier hopes to lead Peabody to another title in Thursday’s New England 7v7 Championship at Bishop Fenwick.