Hometeam 2010 Football Preview - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE
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Home field: Assabet Valley Regional
High. Grass field, across from the high
school at 215 Fitchburg St., Marlboro.
Brain trust: Coach: Rob McCann (seventh
season, 49-21 career). Assistants: Ken
Stukonis, Matt Gaffny, Mike Gilchrest, Phil
Sipowitz, Tom Feldmar, Pat Tobin, Nick
Ferrera, Brian Allard.
Returning starters: 10 (5 offense, 5
defense).
Captains: Jr. RB/LB Nate Costello, Jr. TE
Ryan Crory, Sr. K-WR Anthony Wassell, Sr.
RB/LB Taryn Pakus, Sr. DE Ethan Ellis.
Top players: Sr. OG Aaron Syppko, Sr. OT
Eric May, Sr. QB Adrian Lenardson, Jr. DL
Shayne Flaherty, Jr. DB Jake Dibuono.
Out with the old: The Aztecs graduated
only one Division 3C all-star, but it was a
big one in Offensive MVP Alan Alvarez,
who rushed for more than 1,500 yards last
year and was named to the T&G Super
Team.
DIVISION 3C
Assabet Valley Aztecs
In with the new: Jr. RB/DB Jake Dibuono,
Jr. WR Marvin Oliveria, Jr. DT Juan Ardila,
Jr. OT Kenny Charbonneau, Jr. RB Thiago
Machado.
When the Aztecs have the ball: Wing-T
offense. … Scored 250 points last year,
second in Division 3C. … Pakus rushed for
nearly 500 yards as a junior. … Lenardson
returns under center after throwing for 432
yards last year.
When their opponents have the ball: 50
defense. … Allowed 236 points last year,
fifth in Division 3C. … Ellis returns at DE
after leading the team in tackles (75) and
sacks (5). … Flaherty returns at DT. …
Pakus is back to lead the linebackers. …
Dibuono will shore up a young defensive
backfield.
In the trenches: Syppko and May return
on the offensive line, while Crory is back at
tight end. … Syppko is a returning Division
3C all-star.
2009: 7-5 (5-1 Division 3C); Division 3 Playoffs
By Jim Wilson
One to watch: Costello will step in to fill
the large shoes left by Alvarez at running
back. McCann made him a captain as a
junior and called him a “true playmaker
and a very consistent competitor.” Costello,
who rushed for nearly 500 yards as a
backup last year, could turn some heads
and become the next in a long line of solid
Aztec rushers.
What you should know: The Aztecs are
looking for their sixth straight playoff
appearance. … Former Valley Tech and
Hudson Catholic head coach Gaffny takes
over the offense for the Aztecs.
Behind enemy lines: “It seems every year
they find this great ground game, and it’s
so tough to defend against because you
don’t know which one of their three great
backs will have a big game,” a rival coach
said.
The quote: “The overall team attitude,
unity and general camaraderie of the team
are very strong,” McCann said, pointing
out the offseason workouts featured an
average of 60 players per night. “If the
team can stay healthy, they will certainly
be in the playoff hunt.”
Schedule:
Sept. 10..........................Maynard, 7
Sept. 16 .......................at Hudson, 7
Sept. 25.................at Valley Tech, 7
Oct. 1.....................Nashoba Tech, 7
Oct. 8..........................at Littleton, 7
Oct. 16.......................Monty Tech, 3
Oct. 22.................Worcester Tech, 7
Oct. 29............at Groton-Dunstable, 7
Nov. 5.............................Quabbin, 7
Nov. 13.....................at Bay Path, 12
Nov. 20.......................Keefe Tech, 1
Key game: Oct. 22 vs. Worcester Tech.
This game has developed into a nice
rivalry in Division 3C, and this year should
be no different. Look for a classic as two of
the favorites for the league title square off.
2009 results:
Assabet 26 ......................Maynard 0
Hudson 27........................Assabet 6
Assabet 8....................Valley Tech 0
Assabet 28 ..............Nashoba Tech 0
Littleton 44 .....................Assabet 24
Assabet 34..................Monty Tech 6
Worcester Tech 28...........Assabet 14
Groton-Dunstable 47 .........Assabet 14
Assabet 26.......................Quabbin 6
Assabet 22 ...................Bay Path 20
Assabet 24 ..................Keefe Tech 0
Oakmont 58....................Assabet 24
Jim’s take: The Aztecs are perennial title
contenders under McCann, and while they
may not have a dynamic running back like
Alvarez, Assabet should still be in the mix
for the league title and another playoff
spot.
5
Follow the Aztecs’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
Bay Path Minutemen
Home field: Bay Path Regional Field. Grass field, 57 Old
Muggett Hill Rd., Charlton.
Brain trust: Coach: Al Dhembe (29th season, 190-105-7
career). Assistants: Tony Salvaggio, Rocky Thompson, Mike
Lavin, Adam Jenkins, Mark Sansoucy, John Selen, Roger
Busha, Tom Connor.
Returning starters: 7 (4 offense, 3 defense).
Captains: Game captains.
Top players: Sr. SE/DB Dave Prince (4 INTs), Sr. OT/DT
James Gonsorcik, Sr. OG/DT Brandon Blom, Sr. TE/DE Nick
Nickerson (3 sacks), Jr. FB/LB Tyler Phillips (365 rushing
yards), Jr. FB/LB Eric Edstrom (74 tackles), Sr. QB Spencer
Dube.
Out with the old: The Minutemen graduated a pair of Division
3C all-stars last year in C Bob Silvestri and DT Zach Green. …
Bay Path also graduated RB Ty Spooner (628 rushing
yards)..
In with the new: Jr. TE/DE Brian McGinn, Jr. C/DT Tim
Whittemore, Jr. OT/DT Zack White, Jr. QB/LB Kyle Pearson,
Jr. SE/LB Tom Gentry, So. FB/LB Anthony Baez, So. C/DT
Wesley Spots, So. RB/DB Josh St. Laurent, So. RB/DB John
Vidal, So. QB/DB Kyle Thibeault.
When the Minutemen have the ball: I-formation. ... Scored 142
points last year, tied for fourth in the league. ... Dube and
Pearson will compete for starting QB job.
When their opponents have the ball: Multiple 4-4. ... Allowed
175 points last year, third-fewest in league. ... The defense
will be fun to watch with Nickerson and Edstrom flying
around. … Price leads a young crop of defensive backs.
In the trenches: Gonsorcik is a two-year starter at tackle.
One to watch: Edstrom had a breakout season last year as a
sophomore, leading the team with a staggering 93 tackles.
He has emerged as one of the brightest young stars on a
team full of them. When Bay Path rights the ship and comes
back into the playoff mix, Edstrom will be the one leading the
charge.
What you should know: Dhembe is excited about Bay Path’s
work ethic. The quote: “We hope to bounce back after our
second half of the season collapse, due to a rash of injuries
last year, but enter this season with perhaps the most
inexperienced team we’ve had since the mid-’90s,” Dhembe
said. “Although we will lack a great deal of experience, we
2009: 5-6 (2-4 Division 3C)
By Jim Wilson
are looking forward to this season and working with players
that were forced into action early last year because of
injuries and a group of sophomores that were undefeated as
freshmen.”
Schedule:
Sept. 11..................................................at North, 1
Sept. 17...................................................at Ayer, 7
Sept. 25..................................................Oxford, 12
Oct. 2.............................................at Keefe Tech, 1
Oct. 9..............................................Valley Tech, 12
Oct. 15................................................at Millbury, 7
Oct. 22...............................................at Littleton, 7
Oct. 29.......................................at Nashoba Tech, 7
Nov. 6 .............................................Monty Tech, 12
Nov. 13.................................................Assabet, 12
Nov. 20......................................Worcester Tech, 12
Key game: Oct. 22 at Littleton. The Minutemen got shut out
last year by the Tigers and were in the midst of a rash of
injuries to boot. Bay Path would love to go into Littleton and
get a little redemption and show they’re on track to being
among the elite Division 3 teams.
2009 results:
Bay Path 28...............................................North 12
Bay Path 21..................................................Ayer 6
Bay Path 19...............................................Oxford 7
Bay Path 28 ........................................Keefe Tech 6
Valley Tech 7 .........................................Bay Path 6
Millbury 21.............................................Bay Path 0
Littleton 28 ............................................Bay Path 0
Bay Path 14 ....................................Nashoba Tech 0
Monty Tech 24 .......................................Bay Path 0
Assabet 22...........................................Bay Path 20
Worcester Tech 42..................................Bay Path 6
Jim’s take: It will be an interesting season for the Minutemen,
who are playing quite a lot of young players who
saw game experience last year. Injuries forced Bay Path to
start laying the foundation early, and it will bear watching to
see if that helped accelerate the Minutemen’s rebuilding
project.
5
Follow the Minutemen’s every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
Keefe Tech Broncos
Home field: Keefe Tech High. Grass field, 750
Winter St., Framingham.
Brain trust: Coach: Jay Godino (third season,
2-19 career). Assistants: Don Marini, Gary Senecal,
Tony Rogers, Anthony Rovinelli, Jeff Manzella,
James Darling.
Captains: Sr. G/DT Carlos Canales, Sr. T/LB
Jonathan Carcamo.
Top players: Jr. G/LB Matt Rivers, Jr. RB Stephen
Spratt, Jr. WR-DB John Cancel, Jr. DT
Duarte Desa, Sr. RB/DB C.J. Cosme.
Out with the old: The Broncos did not lose any
Division 3C all-stars.
In with the new: Jr. OT/DL Billy St. Andre, So.
QB/DB Mackenzie Fairbanks, So. RB/LB A.J.
Burgos, So. TE/LB Raul Camarillo.
When the Broncos have the ball: Wing-T offense. …
Scored 86 points last year. … Cosme returns to
the backfield after an injury-plagued junior year.
… Spratt will help out at running back … Cancel
will be a top target in the air.
When their opponents have the ball: Multiple defensive
looks. … Allowed 270 points. … Canales, the
lone returning Division 3C all-star for the Broncos,
and Desa will lead the team on the line. …
Rivers returns at linebacker.
In the trenches: Canales (5-10, 240) and Rivers
(5-9, 190) will return at guard. …Desa and Carcamo
(5-7, 220) will play tackle. … Braga will be
at center while Warren will fill in as needed.
One to watch: Canales will return as the Broncos’
anchor on the line. Godino said Canales came to
Keefe Tech as a freshman having never played
football, but quickly caught on and was added to
the varsity team a few weeks into his freshman
year. “Carlos is the type of kid you build your
program around, he has a passion for the sport, a
love his teammates and respect for his coaches,”
Godino said of his co-captain — who can bench
over 350 pounds and squat over 430. “He is
driven and plays each play to the whistle. Not
only is he a dominant player, but he is the first
2009: 1-9 (0-6 Division 3C)
By Jim Wilson
person to help a teammate or pick an opposing
player up off the ground after a tackle.”
The quote: “We’re looking to take a major step
forward this year,” Godino said. “The return of
many key starters on both sides of the ball should
help anchor a hardworking but young group.”
Schedule:
Sept. 11.....................................Marian, 1
Sept. 17 ..........................at St. Clement, 7
Sept. 25 ....................................Marian, 1
Oct. 2.....................................Bay Path, 1
Oct. 9 .....................................Murdock, 1
Oct. 15............................Nashoba Tech, 6
Oct. 23 ...........................at Monty Tech, 7
Oct. 29.....................................Nipmuc, 6
Nov. 6.............................at Valley Tech, 1
Nov. 13 .....................at Worcester Tech, 4
Nov. 20 ................................at Assabet, 1
Key game: Oct. 23 at Monty Tech. The Broncos
need to get some wins toward building the
program. The easiest way to do that is beat the
other rebuilding teams in the conference.
2009 results:
Marian 14.............................Keefe Tech 6
Keefe Tech 31.....................St. Clement 12
Bay Path 28 .........................Keefe Tech 6
Murdock 38..........................Keefe Tech 6
Nashoba Tech 23 ..................Keefe Tech 6
Monty Tech 21......................Keefe Tech 6
Nipmuc 35 ...........................Keefe Tech 7
Valley Tech 35 ....................Keefe Tech 12
Worcester Tech 40 ................Keefe Tech 6
Assabet 24...........................Keefe Tech 0
Jim’s take: Having Cosme healthy should help
the Broncos increase their win total this year, but
it’s a tough division, and there won’t be any easy
games. Keefe Tech needs to take advantage of a
strong line to allow the skill players to make
some plays and get a few more wins in 2010.
5
Follow the Broncos’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.