King named Maine football captain
Former Stoughton High School star Matt King has been selected as a captain of the University of Maine football team -- a tribute, in part, to his determination.
The defensive end was off to a banner season last September, but in the third game King tore tendons in the middle finger of his right hand. Six weeks later, his first day at practice, he sustained the same injury to the left hand.
But he is back this year and will play along side pre season All-American Mike DeVito.
Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove thinks highly of King. He told Maine Today on Aug. 20 that King `` brings a unique skill set. He's able to step up and do some things coverage wise that are pretty special. He can cover a wide receiver, a tight end, and also pass rush. That's the ideal."
There is another connection between the player and coach: Stoughton High School. Before King was born, Cosgrove was head football coach at Stoughton.
Cosgrove was a standout quarterback at Sharon High School in the 1970s and still holds some passing record s at the University of Maine. He coached at Stoughton from 1980 to 1983 before returning to Maine as an assistant coach.
Goalkeeper zeroes in on weekly honor
Derek DuBois should be called Mr. Zero. The former Walpole High School soccer star is off to a good start at Bentley College this fall. In three games, he has yet to yield a goal.
The junior goaltender was named the Northeast-10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week on Aug. 28 after posting shutouts in the Falcons' first two games.
On Aug. 27, he stopped eight shots in the season opener, a 4-0 victory over Holy Family. It was his first career shutout. The following afternoon he made seven saves leading Bentley to a 1-0 victory over Concordia (N.Y.) College.
On Aug. 29 DuBois stopped seven shots in a scoreless battle against the University of Southern New Hampshire.
``Derek is a hard worker and has a great attitude on and off the field," said head coach Peter Simonini. ``He's been patient waiting for his chance. Now we will wait and see what he does with his opportunity."
Coach of the year awards presented
A couple of coach of the year honors have been announced.
Wheaton College baseball coach Eric Podbelski and Archbishop Williams High School basketball coach Ged Phelan have been selected as top coaches by their peers.
Podbelski was named Aug. 18 as the American Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 New England Region Coach of the Year. He, along with the seven other regional winners, will be honored in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 5.
Podbelski has picked up several coach of the year honors since taking over the Wheaton program in 1998. Six times he has been the NEWMAC (New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year. Three times he has been selected the NEIBA (New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association) Coach of the Year.
This year the Lyons finished with a 42-10 record and for the sixth time earned a berth in the NCAA Division 3 tournament.
Phelan was selected as the southeastern Massachusetts High School Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year . Phelan led the Braintree-based Catholic high school to victory in the Division 3 South Section. It was the most successful season in Williams' 57-year history.
``Coaching isn't about getting the credit or winning a trophy," Phelan said in a prepared statement. ``For me, it's about teaching morals and responsibility to children. It is gratifying to see my players improve and succeed on and off the court."
Walpole graduate leads Northeastern
Senior Matt Campopiano, who played at Walpole High School, has been elected one of two captains of the Northeastern University football team.
``We were looking for one captain on each side of the ball," said Huskie s head coach Rocky Hager in a prepared statement. ``We wanted individuals who would not only be big playmakers on the field, but also leaders off the field and good people."
The 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pound Campopiano played defensive tackle last season and led the Huskies with six sacks. He also had 48 tackles. Last year he received the team's Iron Man Award, which goes to the player who exhibits dedication in the weight room. He was slotted to move to linebacker this season, but before the Huskies went to camp, Campopiano was re inserted into the line.
A management major, he is an all-star in the classroom as well. In 2003 he was selected to the Atlantic-10 Conference Academic All-Star team. He is one of 11 team members to have a grade-point average over 3.0.
Simpson ready for big year at UNH
Look for a big year out of former Brockton High School running back Robert Simpson, who is entering his sophomore year at the University of New Hampshire.
During the annual Blue/White scrimmage on Aug. 25, Simpson scored on a 7-yard run and finished with eight carries for 73 yards.
Last year Simpson saw little action, but made the most of his playing time. He had 53 rushes for 270 yards and scored three touchdowns. The 6-foot-200-pound running back's long run from scrimmage was 68 yards.
New Hampshire is loaded this year and has been picked by several national publications as the best Division 1-AA football team in the country.
