Gilbert/Northwestern Yellowjackets hope to have memorable season


By Pete Paguaga, Register Citizen   

WINSTED --- After a disappointing 7-3 season which saw the Gilbert/Northwestern Yellowjackets finish fifth in the Pequot Conference and on the outside looking in for the State playoffs, the Yellowjackets have high hopes for this season.

“I want that damn banner, we want to hang something up,” said Yellowjackets head coach Scott Salius speaking of the Yellowjackets goals this season. “Twenty years from now, I want them (players) to see the banner in the gym and say I did this.”

The Yellowjackets will have a tough road ahead if they want to win their first conference championship since the 1970’s. Though they made the Class M semifinals in 2010 they didn’t win the conference.

“We got to win the hard ones, we have to be able to beat the top teams,” said Salius. “We always get close.”
One game that stands out to Salius was their 20-17 loss to Ellington/Somers.

“We were beating Ellington 17-7 in the fourth quarter and we lost,” he said. “We have to finish against the quality teams.”

Leading the way for the Yellowjackets this season are senior quarterback John Lippincott and senior running back Tony Ortiz, who are two of the Yellowjackets four captains.

“I’m blessed to have had great backs, Tony is just an overall athlete,” he said. “Johnny is the best overall leader I’ve had in my tenure; he’s been a leader since he was a freshman.”

The combination of Lippincott and Ortiz leading the Yellowjackets’ run heavy offense was very successful last season with Ortiz rushing for 1280 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while Lippincott threw for 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions to go along with seven rushing touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.

“We have to keep the momentum up,” said Ortiz.