Biography

Every successful football team has to have a good defense. The key to a good defense is good linebackers. Tim McCretton filled the bill for the Red Rocketeers during the 1978 and 1979 seasons. The 5'7" 175 pound McCretton wasn't an imposing figure but he certainly made his presence known to opposing ball carriers.

In 1978 Tim became a starting linebacker for the Red and White. His hard nosed aggressive style brought him immediate success. McCretton totaled 59 tackles, 53 assists and 2 interceptions for the season. Game after game the junior linebacker raised havoc with opposing offenses and led his team to a successful 8-2 season. On Thanksgiving day in 1978 Tim came up with a big stop of an Attleboro ball carrier inside the North 5 yard line which preserved the shut-out and a 7-0 North victory.

As a senior McCretton continued to be a force on defense. He led his team with 72 tackles, 27 assists and an interception. He was the man that the defense rallied around. Late in the '79 season he also became an important part of the offense. North's offensive backfield was hit hard by injuries, and the call went out to McCretton. Tim filled in at the fullback position and did a very effective job. He scored twice in a 34-6 rout of Stoughton. The following week against Mansfield he carried the ball five times for 41 yards in a drive that provided an insurance score in a hard fought 21-10 North victory. His offensive stats for the season credited him with 30 carries for 115 yards and four touchdowns.

McCretton was selected to the Sun-Chronicle and Hockomock League All Star teams as a linebacker. The news paper's article described him as "The Key to North's Defense and a sure Tackler."