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: Gaskill Field, Providence St.,
Worcester.
Brain trust: Coach: David Dykeman
(third year, 5-11 career). Assistants: Rick
Church (defensive coordinator), Mark
Allen (special teams), Marc Groccia, Mike
Solominsky.
Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 6
defense).
Captains: Sr. C/DT Jack Donovan
(Shrewsbury; 48 tackles, 2 sacks), Sr.
G/LB Nick Greenhalgh (Worcester), Sr.
WR/DB Sam Butler (Boylston).
Top players: Jr. WR Canaan Severin
(Marlboro), Sr. QB Jon Pietersie, Sr. DB
Tyrel MacDonald (Leominster).
In with the new: RB/LB Blair Wynn (110
tackles at St. Joseph’s in New Jersey),
RB Cortez Taylor (1,100 all-purpose yards
in Alexandria, Va.).
When the Hilltoppers have the ball: Spread
offense. … Scored 143 points. … Severin
leads the offense after a tremendous
2009 season, when he caught 22 passes
for 588 yards and four touchdowns. …
Pietersie is back under center after
PREP WESTERN MASS
Worcester Academy
Hilltoppers
2009: 4-4 (2-4 NEPSAC Class A)
By Jim Wilson
missing last season with an injury.
When their opponents have the ball: 3-4
defense. … Allowed 216 points. … Donovan
had 48 tackles and two sacks last
year. … Greenhalgh returns at linebacker
after making 36 tackles last year. …
Butler is a force in the defensive backfield,
picking off three passes and breaking
up six more. He also had 28 tackles
and scored a pair of touchdowns. …
Severin is also a standout defensive
back.
In the trenches: Donovan returns to
anchor the offensive line. … Former
Nashoba Regional standout Peter Hagermoser
will also be relied on at offensive
and defensive tackle. ... Junior Colin
Bacciochi will line up at guard.
One to watch: Severin has turned quite a
few heads already and has picked up an
offer to play at Boston College.
What you should know: Team speed and
skill positions won’t be a problem for the
Hilltoppers, but depth on the lines may be
something to watch.
The quote: “Worcester Academy will be
Ware Indians
2009: 11-1, WMass Division 4 Super Bowl Champions
Home field: Ware High Field. Grass field,
237 West St., Ware.
Brain trust: Robert Slattery (first season).
Assistant coaches: Doug Koczur (offensive
coordinator), John Slattery (receivers/linebackers)
Returning starters: 6 (3 offense, 3
defense).
Captains: Sr. FB/LB Dylan Sawabi.
Top players: Sr. E/LB Joe Butler, Jr. G/LB
Wayland Laprade, Sr. RB/LB Robert
Estridge.
In with the new: Sr. T Forrest Boivin, So. S
Adam Butler.
When the Indians have the ball: Multiple
offensive formations. … Scored 320
points. … Sawabi returns to carry the
offense for the Indians in the backfield. …
Butler will be the top receiver for Ware.
When their opponents have the ball: 5-3
defense. … Allowed 130 points. … Sawabi,
Butler and Laprade return at linebacker.
In the trenches: Boivin will line up at nose
guard.
What you should know: Slattery takes over
for Mike Robidoux, who resigned as coach
and athletic director in the aftermath of an
altercation following last year’s Super
Bowl victory over Pioneer Valley.
The quote: “We have a positive approach
toward the season and are relying heavily
on team leadership and camaraderie,”
Robert Slattery said. “It could be a year
where the league is up for grabs.”
By Jim Wilson
Schedule:
Sept. 10.................McCann Tech, 7
Sept. 17..............at Turners Falls, 7
Sept. 24......................Greenfield, 7
Oct. 2 ...............at Pioneer Valley, 1
Oct. 8.........................Pathfinder, 7
Oct. 16................at Easthampton, 1
Oct. 22......................Dean Tech, 7
Oct. 29..............at Franklin Tech, 7
Nov. 13.......................Palmer, 1:30
Nov. 24 ....................at Quaboag, 7
2009 results:
Ware 31................McCann Tech 14
Ware 28..................Turners Falls 6
Ware 28....................Greenfield 26
Pioneer Valley 20 ..............Ware 16
Ware 24 ....................Pathfinder 18
Ware 36..................Easthampton 0
Ware 42 ...................Dean Tech 12
Ware 33.................Franklin Tech 0
Ware 16...........................Palmer 6
Ware 38......................Quaboag 14
Ware 14...........................Palmer 6
Ware 14 ................Pioneer Valley 8
Jim’s take: They may have a new
coach, but the Indians return some
talented players that could keep Ware in
the mix this season. Sawabi is a gamechanger,
and if he stays healthy, he
should keep the defending champs in
every game.
5
Follow the Indians’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
led this year by a strong senior and junior
class that brings a wealth of experience,”
Dykeman said. “We expect to play
extremely fast with our no-huddle offense
and attacking defense.”
Schedule:
x-Sept. 18........................Blair, 1:30
Sept. 25............Phillips Exeter, 3:30
Oct. 2............at N’field Mt. Herm., 2
Oct. 9 ...............St. Thomas More, 3
Oct. 16......................at Salisbury, 3
Oct. 23 ............................Choate, 3
y-Nov. 6 ..............Phillips Andover, 6
Nov. 13.......................at Cushing, 1
x-at Taft School
y-at Assumption
2009 results:
WA 41...........Mass. Maritime JV 22
Phillips Exeter 50 ...................WA 7
WA 28 ..............................NMH 28
WA 28.............St. Thomas More 19
Salisbury 24 ..........................WA 6
Cushing 35............................WA 6
WA 15..........................Cheshire 12
Phillips Andover 47 ...............WA 12
Jim’s take: Dykeman seems to have the
Hilltoppers turning the corner, thanks to a
handful of local standouts. Look for
Worcester Academy to keep gaining
steam, with players like Severin leading
the way.
5
Follow the Hilltoppers’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
Home field: Mahar Regional Field. Turf
field, 507 South Main St., Orange.
Brain trust: Coach: Jim Woodward.
Assistants: Greg Scotland (defensive coordinator),
Joe Kenney (line), Jamie Paluk
(receivers/defensive backs).
Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5
defense),
Captains: Sr. C/LB David Burnham, Sr.
RB/DB Isaiah Jones, Sr. FB/LB Parker
Russell.
Top players: Jr. WR Brandon Coy, Jr.
TE/DE Andrew O’Loughlin, Jr. RB/DB
Jesse Lacroix, Jr. T/DT Patrick Donlan,
So. G/DE Chris Jackson, Jr. G/DT Nick
Ehlen, Sr. OL/DL Dylan Barnes.
Out with the old: The Senators graduated
standout RB Brian Beauchemin, who
surpassed 1,000 yards last year.
When the Senators have the ball: Wing-T
offense. … Scored 385 points. … Jones
will lead the offense as part of a strong
backfield with Russell and Lacroix.
When their opponents have the ball: 4-4
defensive alignment. … Russell will lead
the linebacking corps. … Donlan and
Athol Red Raiders
2009: 9-3 (5-3 Intercounty League); Division 3 Playoffs
Home field: Athol High. Grass field, 2363
Main St., Athol.
Brain trust: Coach: Matt Gauvin (first season).
Assistants: Bob Robertson, Bob Sheridan,
Nick Lipiec.
Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 6
defense)
Captains: Sr. OT/DT Tyler Johnson, Sr.
RB/OLB Mike Mattson, Sr. C/DT Garrett
Girard, Sr. G/DE Fred Marks, Sr. QB/S Eric
Lafountain
Top players: Jr. RB/LB Jack O’Connell
(500 rushing yards).
Out with the old: The Raiders graduated RB
Matt Kuniholm (400 yards) and wide
receiver Tyler Hood (600 receiving yards).
In with the new: So. WR/CB Carlos DeJesus,
So. RB/DE Jake LaJoie, So. QB/WR
Dakota Melanson, So. RB/CB John Robertson,
So. RB/CB Matt Summers, Jr. G/LB
Mike Needle, Jr. G/LB Gus Franchi.
When the Red Raiders have the ball: Spread
offense. … Scored 295 points. … Lafountain
returns under center. … O’Connell and Mattson
return to handle the running chores.
When their opponents have the ball: 4-4
defense. … Allowed 144 points. … The
Raiders bring back their top three tacklers
in Marks (9 sacks), Johnson (8 sacks) and
Girard (7 sacks).
In the trenches: Girard returns at center.
One to watch: Lafountain is a three-year
starter and a double threat to run (1,100
yards, 8 TDs) and throw (1,200 yards, 17
TDs).
What you should know: Gauvin takes over
for the retired Rocky Stone after serving as
an assistant for eight seasons.
By Jim Wilson
Mahar Senators
O’Loughlin will shore up the defensive
line.
In the trenches: Burnham returns at
center. … Donlan and Ehlan will line up at
guard. … Jackson and Barnes will play the
tackle spots.
One to watch: Jones, who rushed for
more than 1,700 yards last year, has
game-breaking speed. He should carry the
offense and turn some heads all year long.
“He’s an overall all-around good player on
defense and offense,” Woodward said.
“He’s a real fine defensive back, and he’s
going to be tough to catch — he’s very
quick.”
The quote: “I expect that we should
make the playoffs,” Woodward said. “We
have to stay healthy, though, we’re not
real deep. We’re coming off a really good
year last year, and hopefully the kids want
to continue that tradition.”
Schedule:
Sept. 17..................at Dean Tech, 7
Sept. 24 ...........................Palmer, 7
Oct. 1..............................Frontier, 7
Oct. 8........at Monument Mountain, 7
Schedule:
Sept. 10............................at Lee, 7
Sept. 17 ......................Pathfinder, 7
Sept. 25..........at Easthampton, 1:30
Oct. 2........................at Drury, 2:30
Oct. 15..........................Sci-Tech, 7
Oct. 22...........................Frontier, 7
Oct. 29................at Turners Falls, 7
Nov. 5......................Belchertown, 7
Nov. 12......................at Mohawk, 7
Nov. 25 ..........................Mahar, 10
Key game: Oct. 22 vs. Frontier. The
Raiders are still smarting from last year’s
three-point loss in their first meeting,
which snapped a six-game win streak.
This clash between two of the Intercounty
League’s top teams will be a good one.
2009 results:
Athol 13 ..............................Lee 12
Athol 39 ......................Pathfinder 7
Athol 35 ..................Easthampton 6
Athol 14............................Drury 12
Athol 13......................Greenfield 12
Athol 20 .......................Sci-Tech 12
Frontier 18.........................Athol 15
Athol 52...................Turners Falls 6
Athol 40 ...................Belchertown 8
Athol 28 .......................Mohawk 12
Mahar 21...........................Athol 19
Frontier 18 ..........................Athol 7
Jim’s take: Don’t expect the Raiders to
miss a beat under Gauvin. Athol returns
some tremendous skill players in Mattson
and Lafountain, plus a solid defense that
should get them back into the playoffs.
5
Follow the Red Raiders’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.
2009: 12-0 (8-0 Intercounty League); Division 3 WMass Super Bowl champions
By Jim Wilson
Oct. 15......................Belchertown, 7
Oct. 22.......................at Sci-Tech, 7
Oct. 29.......................at Mohawk, 7
Nov. 5 .....................Turners Falls, 7
Nov. 12 ....................at Greenfield, 7
Nov. 25.........................at Athol, 10
2009 results:
Mahar 34.....................Dean Tech 8
Mahar 34.........................Palmer 20
Mahar 14..........................Frontier 0
Mahar 36 .......Monument Mountain 0
Mahar 42 ...................Belchertown 0
Mahar 36 ......................Sci-Tech 22
Mahar 42 ........................Mohawk 6
Mahar 40 ................Turners Falls 12
Mahar 20 ......................Greenfield 8
Mahar 21............................Athol 19
Mahar 32.....................Greenfield 14
Mahar 34 ........................Frontier 19
Jim’s take: The Senators, still one of the
best teams in Western Mass., will rely on
the dynamic Jones to remain as the
favorites to win a Super Bowl this year.
5
Follow the Senators’ every game this fall
at www.telegram.com/hometeam.