Hometeam 2010 Football Preview - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM
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Home field: Leicester High. Grass field, 174 Paxton
Street, Leicester.
Brain trust: Coach: Tim Griffiths (second season back
at Leicester, 78-45 at LHS, 82-74 career). Assistants:
Rigo Alfonso, Mike Lynch, John Kenneway, Justin
Bonner, Sean Giles, Fran Witkowski, Jason Kenneway.
Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense).
Captains: Sr. RB/DE Ryan O’Neill, Sr. RB/SS Trevor
Choruzek, Sr. QB/DB Christian Rodrick, Sr. T/DT Ben
Millett.
Top players: Sr. TE/DE Scott Bruce, Sr. TE/DE
Anthony Lombardozzi, Sr. G/LB Troy Grendell, Sr. T/DT
Mike Doyle, Sr. T/DT Mike Hadchickian, Jr. TE/DE
Mike Stasiewicz, So. RB/DB Nick Kenneway, Sr.
SE/DB Emile Bazille, So. QB/DB Nick Wilson, Jr. QB/CB
Connor Marc-Aurele.
Out with the old: The Wolverines graduated just one of
their three Division 2B all-stars from last year in S Rob
Jarobski.
In with the new: Sr. T/G Anthony Dupuis, Jr. QB/S Mike
Ferraro, Jr. SE/S Tyler Goodney, So. SE/DB Mykeem
Minton, So. QB/DB Nick Wilson, So. G/LB Dave
Dupont, Jr. T/DT Ryan Green, Jr. T/DT Mason Chapman,
Jr. T/DT Sean Ellstrom, Jr. T/DT Josh Lulu.
DIVISION 2B
Leicester Wolverines
When the Wolverines have the ball: Multiple offensive
looks. … Scored 145 points last year. … The Wolverines
return most of their skill players, including Choruzek at
RB, who should be helped out by Kenneway. … Rodrick
is back at QB and will a receiving corps led by Goodney.
When their opponents have the ball: 5-2 defensive alignment.
… Allowed 174 points last year. … O’Neill is the
rock of the defense. … Millett, Bruce, Dupuis and
Lombardozzi will help on the DL. … Grendell and Dupont
will solidify the linebacking corps. … Bazille, Minton,
Wilson and Marc-Aurele will provide a strong defensive
backfield.
In the trenches: The Wolverines have plenty of bodies
to plug into the line, including juniors Green, Chapman,
Ellstrom and Lulu, and seniors Doyle and Hadchickian.
… Stasiewicz should step in at TE.
One to watch: In order to get back to the glory days of
Leicester football, the Wolverines need a leader. Griffiths
thinks he’s found one in O’Neill, who finished
second in Central Mass. in sacks last year with 12.
Griffiths said O’Neill puts in about 20-30 hours a week
and never misses a weight room session. “He’s as hard
working on and off the field as any kid I’ve ever
coached,” said Griffiths, who is O’Neill’s godfather. “He
2009: 4-7 (3-4 Division 2B)
By Jim Wilson
also does charity work and maintains a high level of
grades at school.”
What you should know: The Leicester Booster Club
organized a fundraiser and was able to help install
lights at Leicester High, allowing the team to play at the
high school on Friday nights. … The Wolverines lost
four games last year by a touchdown or less.
Behind enemy lines: “They have a lot of pieces back
this year, and Griff had that year to teach everyone his
system,” a rival coach said. “They’re going to be tough
to beat this year.”
Schedule:
Sept. 10.......................................at Quabbin, 7
Sept. 17......................................Northbridge, 7
Sept. 24 .........................................Quaboag, 7
Oct. 1 .......................................at Tantasqua, 7
Oct. 9.....................................at Uxbridge, 2:30
Oct. 16..............................................Bartlett, 7
Oct. 22.............................................Grafton, 7
Oct. 29..............................................Oxford, 7
Nov. 5 ....................................at Southbridge, 7
Nov. 12 ........................................at Millbury, 7
Nov. 25 ...............................David Prouty, 10:15
Key game: Sept. 17 vs. Northbridge. The Wolverines
don’t have much time to get ready for the biggest test
of their season. Leicester is getting some talk among
rival coaches, so this could be the Wolverines’ comingout
party under Griffiths.
2009 results:
Leicester 12 ......................................Quabbin 3
Northbridge 35.................................Leicester 7
Leicester 30.....................................Quaboag 0
Tantasqua 21 .................................Leicester 14
Leicester 21....................................Uxbridge 10
Bartlett 12 .......................................Leicester 0
Leicester 20 ......................................Oxford 13
Southbridge 8 ..................................Leicester 7
Millbury 20 ....................................Leicester 14
Grafton 19......................................Leicester 13
David Prouty 33 ...............................Leicester 7
Jim’s take: With 16 returning starters — including
most of their skill positions — look for Leicester to take
another step in its rebuilding process. The Wolverines
have a tough but winnable schedule, and they could be
fighting for a playoff spot.
5
Follow the Wolverines’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
Millbury Woolies
2009: 4-8 (3-4 Division 2B); Division 2 Playoffs
Home field: Millbury High. Grass field, 12 Martin St.,
Millbury.
Brain trust: Coach: Ryan Matson (first season). Assistants:
Brian Sullivan, Pat Mara, Jeff Sloat, Craig Lavallee,
Mike O’Neil, Rob MacDonnell, AJ Caswell, Adam Matson.
Returning starters: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense).
Captains: Sr. C/DE Bryan Humphrey, Sr. WR/S Jay
Emmott, Jr. FB/LB Brian Dufresne, Sr. FB/LB Todd
Deschenes.
Top players: Sr. RB/DB Brandon Richard, Jr. QB/DB
Andrew Ekstrom, Sr. TE/DE Dave McAtee, Sr. QB/DB
Kyle Fennelly, Jr. QB/DB Lukas Bernard, Sr. OL/DL Brian
Humphrey, Jr. OL/DL Steve Labrie, Jr. RB/DB Bobby
Boire, Sr. WR/DB Jay Emmott, Jr. FB/LB Brian Dufresne,
Sr. FB/LB Todd Deschenes, Sr. WR/DB Jimmy Morcone,
Jr. WR/DB Mike Valastro, Jr. OT/DT Steve Labrie.
Out with the old: The Woolies graduated two of their
three Division 2B all-stars, OL Pete Bott and DL Tyler
Maynard.
In with the new: So. FB/LB Randy Mogren.
When the Woolies have the ball: Multiple offensive formations.
… Scored 188 points in 2009. … The Woolies will
be led by Richard, a three-year starter in the backfield. …
Ekstrom and Fennelly have been competing for the
quarterback job. … Boire will help out Richard in the
backfield.
When their opponents have the ball: Multiple defensive
formations. … Allowed 295 points last year. … Dufresne
and Deschenes are back at linebacker. … Emmott,
Morcone and Valastro return at defensive back.
In the trenches: Labrie and Humphrey return on the
offensive line. … McAtee is back at tight end.
One to watch: The Woolies will rely on Richard to carry
the team. The three-year starter has shown he’s one of
the better backs around, rushing for 1,286 yards and 13
touchdowns as a junior.
What you should know: The Millbury youth movement
seemed to pay off down the stretch last year, as the
Woolies won four of their last six games to clinch a
Division 2 playoff berth.
By Jim Wilson
Schedule:
Sept. 9......................................at Northbridge, 7
Nov. 17 ...........................................at Bartlett, 7
Nov. 24 ..............................................Auburn, 7
Oct. 2............................................at Uxbridge, 1
Oct. 8......................................at David Prouty, 7
Oct. 15.............................................Bay Path, 7
Oct. 22.........................................Southbridge, 7
Oct. 29 .........................................at Quaboag, 7
Nov. 5 .................................................Oxford, 7
Nov. 12 ............................................Leicester, 7
Nov. 25 .....................................at Grafton, 10:15
Key game: Oct. 2 at Uxbridge. Near the end of a brutal
stretch of games that includes Northbridge, Bartlett,
Auburn and David Prouty, the Woolies square off against
the Spartans on the road. This young team with a new
coach is going to grow up fast in 2010.
2009 results:
Northbridge 34 ....................................Millbury 0
Bartlett 39.........................................Millbury 20
Auburn 34...........................................Millbury 7
Uxbridge 22.......................................Millbury 14
David Prouty 28 .................................Millbury 13
Millbury 21 ........................................Bay Path 0
Southbridge 37 ....................................Millbury 0
Millbury 39 ........................................Quaboag 6
Millbury 20.......................................Leicester 14
Oxford 27..........................................Millbury 14
Millbury 34.........................................Grafton 26
Auburn 28...........................................Millbury 6
Jim’s take: Millbury took its lumps last year, but the
younger players seemed to turn things around at midseason
as the Woolies put together a playoff push. It will be
interesting to see what they can do with a year of varsity
experience under their belts. The schedule is very tough
for Millbury early, but if the Woolies can weather the
storm, there could be another trip to the postseason.
5
Follow the Woolies’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
Oxford Pirates
Home field: Oxford High. Grass field, 495 Main St.,
Oxford.
Brain trust: Coach: Jeff Parcells (second season,
3-8 with Oxford, 59-62 career). Assistants: Vin
Dagostino, Scott Ferguson, Jim Nolan, Chris Barry,
Anthony McDonald, Andrew Martin, Craig Durell.
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense).
Captains: Sr. RB Nick Tessier, Sr. WR/DB Jeff
Bolio, Sr. LB Andrew Gray, Sr. DB/OLB Dan Klein,
Sr. WR/DB Kayvon Lewis, Sr. C/LB Adam Kramer.
Top players: Sr. OL/DL DeCarlo Anderson.
Out with the old: The Pirates graduated one of their
two Division 2B all-stars last year in DL Mike
Krouse.
In with the new: Jr. SL/LB Mike D’Alio, Jr. SL/LB
Nick Lemay, Jr. OL/DL Chris Burley, So. LB/WR
Mike Ellsessar, Sr. QB Nick Stockhaus.
When the Pirates have the ball: Multiple offensive
sets. … Scored 161 points. … Skill positions are a
strength for the Pirates, led by returning Tessier at
RB. … After taking last season off, Stockhaus
returns under center, hoping to build on a strong
sophomore year. … Lewis is back at wide receiver.
When their opponents have the ball: 3-4 formation.…
Allowed 264 points. … Gray and Kramer are back to
lead the linebacking corps. … Anderson is one of the
better nose guards around. … Bolio and Klein are
back in the secondary.
In the trenches: The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Anderson
is a tremendous two-way player at tackle. … White
also will play tackle on both sides of the ball.
One to watch: Tessier, a two-year captain, led
Central Mass. in carries last season. Parcells said
Tessier is dedicated to the weight room and is a
tremendous player to rebuild a team around. “He’s a
hard runner who would rather run you over than hit
the sideline.”
The quote: “We’re looking to take some steps
forward this year,” Parcells said. “It was good for
these kids to get the monkey off their back last year
2009: 3-8 (2-5 Division 3B)
By Jim Wilson
with a few wins — now it’s time to believe we can
win. We do have some very talented skill players
who can make plays.”
Schedule:
Sept. 11...............................Pioneer Valley, 1
Sept. 17...................................at Quabbin, 7
Sept. 25................................at Bay Path, 12
Oct. 2 ................................Southbridge, 1:45
Oct. 8.......................................at Grafton, 7
Oct. 15..................................David Prouty, 7
Oct. 22...................................at Uxbridge, 7
Oct. 29...................................at Leicester, 7
Nov. 5 .....................................at Millbury, 7
Nov. 12 ......................................Quaboag, 7
Nov. 25.......................................Auburn, 10
Key game: Oct. 29 at Leicester. The Pirates nearly
knocked off the Wolverines last year and would love
another crack at them to show off how improved
they are in the second year of Parcells’ rebuilding
plan.
2009 results:
Pioneer Valley 32...........................Oxford 12
Oxford 21.....................................Quabbin 0
Bay Path 19 ....................................Oxford 7
Southbridge 35..............................Oxford 24
Grafton 26......................................Oxford 7
David Prouty 43.............................Oxford 14
Uxbridge 18 ....................................Oxford 0
Leicester 20 ..................................Oxford 13
Oxford 36..................................Quaboag 36
Oxford 27....................................Millbury 14
Auburn 34 ......................................Oxford 0
Jim’s take: The Pirates keep getting better under
Parcells, and that trend should continue in 2010.
Stockhaus’ return should help speed things up, as
he will be surrounded with talented skill players like
Tessier, Bolio and Lewis to add to Oxford’s win total.
5
Follow the Pirates’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.