|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Source: Boston Globe
September 1, 2008
CANTON
Coach: Jim Goff (fourth year, 4-26 overall)
Last year's record: 3-7
Playing surface: Artificial turf
Football website: cantonfootball.com
Returning starters (11): AJ Nichols, TE/DL, 6-3, 240, Jr.; Joey Douglas, RB/DB, 5-11, 185,
Jr.; Ray Bass, RB/DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Mike Bates, WR/DB, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Kevis[cq] Nash, RB/DB, 5-8, 175, Sr.;
Jordan Guyton, RB/LB, 5-10, 210, Jr.; Tom Hughes, TE/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Joe Klapman, RB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.;
Jon Cattel, OL/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Chris Lane, OL/DL, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Bobby Brown, OL/DL, 6-1, 210, Sr.
Returning letter winners (8): Darius Wood, QB/LB, 5-8, 180, Jr.; Anthony LaRose, RB/DB, 5-9,
180, So.; Ethan Winchell, QB/LB, 6-3, 180, Jr.; Matt Wing, QB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Jack Lamir, R/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.;
Pat Ryan, WR/DB, 5-7; 155, Sr.; Dasan Simon, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Tyler Matt, OL/LB, 5-9, 195; Jr.
Strengths: Running backs
Concerns: Inexperienced offensive line
Outlook: A small program in a tough league, Canton is starting to settle down with its fourth-year
coach Goff. Having won just one game in his first three seasons, he led the Bulldogs to three wins last year -- and
this fall they're looking for a few more. Goff says the key to winning this year lies in his running backs, particularly
Jordan Guyton, a junior captain who rushed for 1,300 yards last year. Ray Bass and Kevis Nash also return to the backfield
looking to do some damage. But what Canton returns in its running backs, it lost in its offensive line, which lost four
seniors to graduation and will be filled by a mix of juniors and sophomores. Goff isn't too worried, though, as one of
those sophomores, Ryan Conrad, has already stood out during preseason. Also look out for newcomers Matt McLoughlin,
a sophomore running back, and Marc Abelard, a junior receiver and defensive back, who hope to find their rhythms by the
time Canton finishes up its schedule with four games against Hockomock powerhouses: Mansfield, North Attleboro, Foxboro,
and Stoughton.
FOXBORO
Coach: Jack Martinelli (27th year, 208-62-5)
Last year's record: 8-3
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: foxborough.k12.ma.us/fpsweb/FHS/FHSindex.html.
Returning starters (9): Brian Swanton, QB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Chris Barrett, SS, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Luke Soccorso, FB/LB, 6-0,
185, Jr.; Mike Farrell, FS, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Garrett Simons, 6-0, 185, TB, Sr.; Nick Thrasher, OG/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Joe Bresse, DT, 6-3,
240, Sr.; Jake Walsh, OG, 5-10, 225, Sr.; James Saunders, RB, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Returning letter winners (11): Jarrell Greene, CB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Dave Lull, LB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Mitch Connolly, LB,
5-10, 170, Sr.; Dan Burke, OT, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Anthony Barbato, OT, 6-4, 255, Sr.; Zach Hodge, TE, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Andrew Hazeldein, LB,
6-1, 205, Sr.; Nick Marcotte, WR, 6-2, 195, Sr.; James Carew, OC, 6-2, 205, Jr.; Ben Crook, OC, 6-2, 260, Sr.; Joe Clagg, RB, 5-9, 165,
Sr.
Strengths: Skill position expereience and team defense
Concerns: Rebuilding both lines
Outlook: Consistently in the mix at the top of the Hockomock standings, Foxboro returns experience in its skill
positions -- particularly second-year quarterback Brian Swanton, one of the league's few returning quarterbacks with starting
experience. Fullback and linebacker Luke Soccorso and free safety Mike Farrell also return. Twenty-seven year veteran Jack Martinelli
says he has a "solid stable" of players to rebuild his offensive and defensive lines, which were predominantly filled by seniors last
year and took a hard hit when Foxboro graduated 25 players. Still, he said the rebuilding process won't be as tough as last year, when
Foxboro had to replace a Super Bowl championship team and used many young players. While he thought last year's schedule was tough, he
said this one is even more challenging, taking on a mix that includes Bishop Feehan, Dartmouth, and Central Catholic before moving on to
North Attleboro, Franklin, and Stoughton.
FRANKLIN
Coach: Brad Sidwell (12th year, 78-61-3)
Last year's record: 9-2
Playing surface: Artificial turf
Football Website: Franklin.k12ma.US
Returning starters (1): Matt Carini, RB/DB, 5-10, 177, Jr.
Returning letter winners (8): Mike Copponi, TE/LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Mike Ferguson FS/WR, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Joe Gendron K,
5-7, 186, Sr.; Brendan Timmons, OL/LB, 6-0, 182, Sr.; Nick Colson, QB/DB, 6-4, 177, Jr.; Paul Bassau WR/RB/DB, 5-9, 163, Jr.; Greg
Dellorco, 6-3, 183, TE/LB, Jr.; Pat Riggs OL/DL, 6-5, 273, Jr.
Strengths: Skill positions
Concerns: Experience
Outlook: Franklin returns only one starter, running back and defensive back Matt Carini, and eight lettermen after
losing 30 seniors to graduation — the most Sidwell has lost "by far" in 14 years with the program. But the Panthers will continue to
work the spread, whether they are led by Nick Colson or Zack Price, who are currently competing for quarterback. Brendan Timmons, Pat
Riggs and Greg Dellorco will lead the defense.
KING PHILIP
Coach: Brian Lee (fourth year, 8-24)
Last year's record: 2-9
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: kpfootball.com
Returning starters (9): Matt Anderson, OL, 6-0, 285, Jr.; Sam Balzer, OL, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Jon Raymond, TE, 6-2, 195, Sr.;
Ryan Connolly, LB/FB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Matt Monahan, CB/WR, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Michael Cochrane, S, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Brandon Howard, DE, 6-3, 240,
Jr.; Chris Walsh, LB, 6-1, 200, Sr.
Strengths: Speed and conditioning
Concerns: Experience
Outlook: Like Canton, King Philip is also starting to settle down with its four-year coach, Lee. But while the team
settles down, it's also picking up its speed, especially in the skill positions, as well as its fitness -- which is important after King
Philip lost several games last year during the fourth quarter. Lee said the team has great shape and a positive attitude that starts
with captains Matt Monahan, Ryan Connolly, and Chris Walsh. But while the three senior returning starters bring experience to the table,
King Philip is also preparing a young quarterback, Brandon Howard, who hasn't seen much time in the position but started at defensive
end last year. Howard will be looking to spread the ball around, Lee said, as there's no big superstar but several small weapons, such
as sophomore running back Chris Cacciola, who has already made an impact during preseason. The Warriors will look to swarm on defense,
where they'll be led by senior Timmy Wallace, who was a backup quarterback last year but has flourished as an outside linbacker in
preseason.
MANSFIELD
Coach: Mike Redding (21st year, 158-53-4)
Last year's record: 10-2
Playing surface: Artificial turf
Football website: Mansfieldfootball.org
Returning starters (7): Jeff Mallett, QB/FS, 6-0 170, Sr.; Kevone Rogers, CB/HB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Greg DiPietrantonio,
FB/LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Greg Bluestein, G, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Dan Glavin, OT/DT; 6-2, 260, Sr.; Sean Vinciguerra, OT, 6-2, 255, Sr.; Shawn
Collins, OG, 6-1, 230, Sr.
Returning letter winners (8): JD Chalifoux, HB/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Nate Levine, SE/CB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Shawn Doherty,
HB/OL, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Sean McCabe, OG, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Matt Cushing, OC, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Rodney Chance, SE/CB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Sean
Kelley, DE, 6-4, 185, Sr.; Andrew Kelley, TE, 6-4, 195, Sr.
Strengths: Size and strength up front, speed at running back
Concerns: Inexperience
Outlook: Redding says his players are "hungry" to carry on the tradition of Mansfield football, last year's Hockomock
League champions. And while the Hornets graduated 32 players -- the most in Redding's 21 years as head coach -- they are also returning
some serious talent, like Dan Glavin, a three-year starter who is already being recruited by schools from the Ivy and Patriot Leagues.
Jeff Mallett will lead the team at quarterback, taking over from Mark Gilson. Greg DiPietrantonio, a returning starter at fullback and
linebacker who Redding expects to get the most carries, and outside linebacker Andrew Doherty, who will start for the first time this
year, are also captains alongside Glavin and Mallett. Redding also expects JD Chalifoux and Shawn Doherty to make impacts. Mansfield
opens against Dartmouth, which it plays for the first time, before taking on Marshfield -- meaning it opens against teams that appeared
in Division 1 and Division 1A Super Bowls last year. Still, Redding said that, "expectations have gotten a little bit out of control"
and while he expects his team to be in the mix at the end of the year, he wants them to have fun, too.
NORTH ATTLEBORO
Coach: Kurt Kummer (fifth year, 31-8-1)
Last year's record: 7-2-1
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: RedRocketeers.com
Returning starters (): Coming soon
Returning letter winners (): Coming soon
Strengths: Leadership
Concerns: Experience
Outlook: Another team that consistently tops the Hockomock charts, North Attleboro will look to Kevin Richman and Dave
Johnson to lead the team this year. Kummer, who is in his sixth year with the program, said the team lost its average handful of seniors
to graduation, but not in any one area. Besides, he said, the program is more about the team than individuals and his coaching staff,
"expects every single one of them to give everything." Two players already giving everything they've got are senior Steve Rollins and
junior Joe Kummer, who are fighting for the spot of quarterback. Rollins is more of a thrower while Joe Kummer plays an athletic running
game. Kurt Kummer said the team is prepared for another tough schedule with the likes of Bishop Feehan and Attleboro.
OLIVER AMES
Coach: Jim Artz (third year, 9-12)
Last year's record: 4-6
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: oliverames.org/sports/
Returning starters (): Coming soon
Returning letter winners (): Coming soon
Strengths: Skill positions
Concerns: Experience
Outlook: After almost breaking .500 last year -- just their second year under Artz -- Oliver Ames is a program on the
rise, and Artz said this is the strongest team he's seen at the school so far. They bring two skilled quarterbacks to the table in
senior Ryan Grant and junior Stefan Lockwood, with Grant playing more of a running game while Lockwood has a strong arm. The two will
share time until one of them makes the job his, Artz said, adding that they want the focus of the offense to be balance between the two
styles. Another focus is growth and acceptance, as captains Dan Fuller, James Hurley and Don Shanis have opened the squad's many young
newcomers both on and off the field, skipping the traditional "tough love" routines. Artz says the numbers of players involved in the
program has grown drastically from the high 40s when he started to the low 70s this year. Still, many of those players are inexperienced
with more than a half-dozen juniors and several sophomores seeing considerable time, and will need to learn quickly and limit their
mistakes to survive a tough Hockomock League and complete their goal of earning a winning record.
SHARON
Coach: Brian Chamberlain (second year)
Last year's record: 0-11
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: sharon.k12.ma.us/school/shs/shsmain.html
Returning starters (16): Jimmy McCue, RB/LB, 5-6, 170, Sr.; Kevin Pollard, QB, 5-6, 170, Sr.; Jamie Harding, OL/WR,
6-2, 175, Sr.; Peter Lewis, OL/DL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Darius Reid, LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Scott McPheron, NT, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Austin Gomes,
TE/DE, 6-4, 205, Sr.; Jeff Enos, OL/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Michael Barbosa, OL/DL, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Kevin Duffy, C, 5-8, 170, Jr.; Brad Asnes,
RB/DB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Matt Fallon, TE/DE, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Robert Ridley, DB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Gabe Stoddard, RB/OL, 5-10, 170; Sr.; Adam
Freedman, QB/OL, 5-8 165, Jr.; Ross Freidman, OL/DL, 5-9, 175, Jr.
Strengths: Athleticism, speed
Concerns: Depth, size
Outlook: After picking up the pieces of a tattered program last year, second-year coach Chamberlain wants his team to
achieve some stability this year. While the team has already increased its numbers from a 28-man roster to numbers in the lower 50s and
returns a large group of starters, he said success will start with basics. He wants a solid coaching system and game philosophy that
fits the squad - something that was lacking last year during an always-awkward transition period to a new coach. But he has faith that
returning quarterback Kevin Pollard will thrive this season in a more run-oriented game plan that focuses on lateral movement and taking
advantage of the Eagles' speed and athleticism, such as that of captain and running back Jamie McCue. Senior wide receiver Jamie Harding
bring some experience, while juniors Michael Barbosa, an offensive and defensive lineman, and Jeff Enos, an offensive lineman and
linebacker, are stepping up into more active roles. Also look out for senior fullback/linebacker Kenny Jean, who didn't play last year
but looks to fill some gaps in the defense.
STOUGHTON
Coach: Greg Burke (17th year, 98-68-4)
Last year's record: 94-7
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: stoughtonschools.org
Returning starters (): Coming soon
Returning letter winners (): Coming soon
Strengths: Attitude and work ethic
Concerns: Depth on the line
Outlook: A strange '07 season is best described by two records. Stoughton was 0-5 at home, 4-2 on the road. A home
schedule that included the Hockomock heavyweights has something to do with that but still, the home shutout is something Burke and the
Black Knights would like to avoid.
|
|
|
|
