Independent School League football capsules
BB&N
Coach: John Papas (fourth year, 14-8).
Last year's record: 5-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: BBNS.org.
Returning starters (11): Mike Paladino RB/LB, 6-2, 231, Sr.; Andrew Knez TE/DE, 6-4, 235, Sr., Nico Papas FB/NT, 6-0, 224, Jr., Steve Grassa WR/FS, 5-11, 183, So., Ian Mahoney OT, 6-3, 256, Jr., Xander Frantz OG, 6-2, 258, So., Nick Halloran OG/DE, 6-5, 241, Jr., Mike DiChara QB, 6-2, 201, So., Derek Papaginoupolos LB, 5-8, 224, Fr., Chase Lovett-Woodsum CB, 6-0, 171, Jr., Grant Covington OLB, 6-0, 208, Jr.
Strengths: Running game and run defense.
Concerns: Lack of experience.
Outlook: BB&N returns only three seniors from last year's squad, leading to the assumption that it will be a rebuilding year for the Knights. Pre season competition against public school opposition (Wilmington, Shawsheen, and Wakefield) has given the younger players valuable game experience and Papas is happy with the results. The offensive line boasts four 200-plus -pound linemen in Mahoney (256), Frantz (258), Knez (235), and Halloran (241).
BELMONT HILL
Coach: Kevin Fleming (18th year, 107-35-2).
Last year's record: 8-0.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: belmont- hill.org.
Returning starters ( 12): Dan Williams LB, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Corey Gatewood WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; John McCusker DE, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Trevor Mundt OT, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Steve Cusano DB 6-0, 175, Sr.; Maguire Wiswall DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Nick Whitehead DT, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Doug Shribman OE, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Drew Zagarri OE 5-9, 205, Sr.; Zach Heath OE 6-2, 230, Sr.; Nick Boghos NT, 5-6, 149, Mark Wachtmeister K, 6-0, 170, Sr.
Strengths: College-level talent.
Concerns: Staying free of injuries.
Outlook: Belmont Hill has been churning out talented college-ready players for years and this season's squad is no different. Led by Boston College recruits Williams and Gatewood, Fleming hopes to repeat last season's success. ``We are looking forward to a strong year because of a large and talented senior class," said Fleming.
BROOKS
Coach: John Quirk (third year, 5-10).
Last year's record: 1-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: brooksschool.org
Returning starters (7): George Brennan, TE/OLB, 6-3, 180, Sr., Frank Conway Jr., TE/LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Corey Forgetta QB/FS, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Mike Iannazzo, OT/DT, 6-5, 245, Sr.; Patrick Leahy, OT/DT, 6-3, 285, Jr.; Guy Landers, OT/LB, 5-10, 225, Jr.; Robert Perryman HB/S, 6-1, 180, Jr.
Strengths: Quarterback.
Concerns: Graduation of key players.
Outlook: Brooks boasts one of the league's best signal-callers in the 6-1 Forgetta. Forgetta, a captain, is blessed with a strong arm and poise in the pocket and has the ability to sustain drives with clutch passing. His main targets will be 5-9 Jason Adames and 6-1 Tanner Smith. Along with Forgetta, the other team captains Brennan and Iannazza will provide leadership for a young team.
THE GOVERNOR'S ACADEMY
Coach: Mark Gerry (14th year, 73-34-1).
Last year's record: 5-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: thegovernorsacademy.org.
Returning starters (10): Ari Blinder, Sr., DE, 6-1, 200; Steven Cody, Sr., OG/LB, 6-2, 205; Ben Curtrell, Sr., DE, 6-0, 225; Brian Day, Sr., QB, 6-0, 185; Ted Durkin, Sr., OG/LB, 6-2, 215; Jimmy King, So., C, 5-10, 185; Tim Langmaid, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 180; Joe Orloff, Sr., TE/LB, 6-1, 205; George Tsakirgis, So., RB, 5-9, 220; Sumner Webster, Jr., LB, 6-4, 215.
Strengths: Defense.
Concerns: Behind on season preparation.
Outlook: The Govs are coming off a 5-3 campaign and return several starters at key positions, including Day and Langmaid. Gerry will benefit from an influx of new, talented players. Offensively, Day will lead a balanced attack with Langmaid and Tsakirgis in the backfield, while the 6-1 Orloff will be a prime target for the pass.
GROTON
Coach: John Lyons (15th year, 77-61-4).
Last year's record: 1-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: groton.org.
Returning starters (9): Benjy Hansen Bundy, Sr., OT/DT, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Chris Heelan, RB/LB, 5-7, 165, Sr.; Alec Knight, DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Francois Mathieu, RB/LB/DB, 5-6, 160, Sr.; Jimmy Small, QB/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Connor Smith, OT/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; John Zacharias, C/DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Brendan Fogarty, OG/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Colby Mattheson, DE/TE, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Strengths: Experience.
Concerns: Offense.
Outlook: After a positive preseason, Groton is eager to get the season started and surprise some teams in the league. The team returns nine starters and is banking on their experience to improve on a league-low 50 points scored. ``We return a number of starters on both sides of the ball and have a fairly experienced group, especially on the defensive perimeter," said Lyons.
LAWRENCE ACADEMY
Coach: Brian Carroll (first year).
Last year's record: 3-5.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: lacademy.edu.
Returning starters (11): Chris Roy OL/LB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Will Spring TE/DE, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Marcelous Atmore RB/DB, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Andrew Belmonte TE/DE, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Victor Howell OL/DL, 6-1, 245, Jr.; Jon Schultz OL/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Chris Lane RB/LB, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Oliver Taylor RB/DB, 5-11, 185, Jr.; Charlie Loeb QB/DE, 6-4, 215, Jr.; Daryl Bishop WR/LB, 6-3, 225, So.; Logan Gillis WR/DB, 170.
Strengths: Skill positions and senior leadership.
Concerns: Only 40 players on the roster.
Outlook: Despite taking over a young team, Carroll is optimistic because his team gained valuable experience last season. The team also has explosiveness at the skill positions with Atmore, Lane, and Taylor in the backfield. "This team will play hard and compete with every team in a very strong league," said Carroll.
MIDDLESEX
Coach: Joe Lang (10th year, 54-25-1)
Last year's record: 7-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: mxschool.edu.
Returning starters (6): Terrence Agbi, DE, 6-4, 205, Sr.; Mike Aldo, TB/DB, 5-10, 188, Sr.; Tyler Green, T/LB, 6-3, 252, Sr.; Buck McKenna, C/LB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Prentis Robinson, T/DT, 6-4, 258, Sr.; Dave Lawson, WR/S, 6-1, 185, So.
Strengths: Leadership from team captains.
Concerns: Inexperience at skill positions.
Outlook: Middlesex was among the elite teams in the ISL last season but suffered a major blow with the graduation of stars Tom Lang and Zach O'Donnell. This year, the elder Lang will look to McKenna, Aldo, Green, and Robinson to help integrate the younger players onto the roster. ``We will be relying on their experience, game day performance, and leadership while we fill positions opened by graduation," said Lang. ``We have a group of very talented younger players who will become outstanding varsity starters once they get experience."
MILTON ACADEMY
Coach: Kevin MacDonald (11th year, 53-20-3)
Last year's record: 6-1-1.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: miltonacademy.edu.
Returning starters (8): Chris D'India OL/LB 6-3, 225, Sr.; Bill Donahue TE/OLB, 6-2, 196; Mike Giannone DE/FB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Orhan Gazelle C/DE, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Phil Keefe QB/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Andrew Koris OT/DE, 6-4, 250, Sr.; Cam Salem OG/DT, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Greg Verini WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Sr.
Strengths: Senior leadership.
Concerns: Depth on offensive line.
Outlook: A plethora of returning starters at key positions has Milton Academy poised for another successful run. Keefe provides MacDonald with a solid signal-caller and is capable of putting points on the board as Milton showed last season, finishing second in the ISL in scoring with 242 points. MacDonald will look to his seniors to lead the push to finish higher than the team's fourth-place standing a year ago.
NOBLE AND GREENOUGH
Coach: Bob Moore (third year, 9-7).
Last year's record: 6-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: nobles. edu
Returning starters (10): Rob Owen RB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Will Bardeen S, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Col in McFarlane DB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Patrick Noone WR/DB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Nick Resor WR/DB/K, 6-1, 202, Jr.; Ryan Strehlke C/DT, 6-1, 240, Jr.; TJ Weyl OL/LB, 6-1, 196, Jr.; Rob Schlesinger RB/LB, 6-1, 298; Elike Kumahia DT, 6-1, 298; Mike Turcotte OL/DE, 6-0, 208.
Strengths: Skill positions and defense.
Concerns: Inexperience at quarterback.
Outlook: Last year's 6-2 stretch run is cause for excitement at Nobles, while the return of 15 starters on both sides of the ball has Moore optimistic. Rob Owen will be the key playmaker out of the backfield and will provide a security valve for the player who emerges as the starting quarterback. Patrick Noone and Nick Resor have the ability to stretch the field and are great playmakers after the catch.
RIVERS
Coach: Darren Sullivan (second year).
Last year's record: 4-4.
Playing surface: In process of installing artificial turf field.
Returning starters ( 7): Cherron Kerr, Sr., QB; Dan Miklavic, Sr., OL/LB; Gus Brewer, Sr., OL/LB; Sam Harrison, Sr., OL/DL; Mark Goodrich, Sr. Rec.; Matt McGuinness, Jr., RB/LB; Jerome Strombosky, Sr., OL/DL.
Strengths: Skill Positions.
Concerns: Depth.
Outlook: Rivers returns some interesting playmakers in linebacker Miklavic and quarterback Kerr. Last season, Kerr was a member of the All-ISL team, along with Mark Goodrich and Sam Harrison. "Our solid work ethic should keep us competitive in the league this season," said Sullivan. "Our goal as a team is to finally turn the corner in order to have the first winning season in a number of years."
ROXBURY LATIN
Coach: Michael Turner (first year).
Last year's record: 1-7.vPlaying surface: Grass.
Football website: roxburylatin.org.
Returning starters (11): Adam Layne, WR/DB, 5-9, 153, Sr.; Kyle Prohovich TE/LB, 6-3, 217, Sr.; Sean Kelleher OL/LB, 5-10, 173, Sr.; Mike Curran QB/DB, 6-1, 171, Sr.; Mark Danso, RB/LB, RB/LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Rich Iskra WR/DB, 5-10, 157, Jr.; Sean Spellman, WR/DB, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Ryan Whooley WR/DB, 6-1, 174, Jr.; Brian Nwachukwu OL/LB, 6-1, 194, Jr.; John Collins OL/DL, 6-4, 278, So.; Joe Tagliente OL/DL, 6-1, 235, So.
Strengths: Depth and versatility at skill positions.
Concerns: New coach and new system.
Outlook: RL begins the season with four tough games -- at home against Belmont Hill and Nobles and on the road at St. George's and Milton Academy. The four opponents finished with a combined record of 25-7-1. Roxbury Latin will need big plays from its returning starters to spark an offense that was held to 64 points in eight games last season.
ST. GEORGE'S
Coach: John Mackay (21st year, 28-42-2).
Last year's record: 5-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: stgeorges.edu.
Returning starters (10): Kevin Corkery, OT,/DL, 6-1, 235, Sr.; James Passemato OG/LB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Devin O'Rourke TE/DL, 6-3, 215; Geoff Johnson RB/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; David Eads DL, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Robin Morgus QB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Bennet Byrd QB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Whit Curtin DB, 5-7, 175, Jr.; Brad Purdy Db, 5-11, 188, Sr.; Kyle Corkery, SE, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Dan Simonds DE/P, 6-2, 200, Sr.
Strengths: Offense and skill players.
Concerns: Lack of depth.
Outlook: St. George's offense will ride the arms of QB s Morgus and Byrd as it looks to improve on a 5-3 campaign. Dragons took steps in the right direction with victories over ISL powers Roxbury Latin and St. Sebastian last season. "With Corkery, Passemato, O'Rourke, Johnson, and Eads leading the way, we should again compete well in the ISL," said Mackay. Mackay's goal is to again finish in the upper half of the league and obtain a playoff berth.
ST. MARK'S
Coach: Bob Brennan (4th year, 7-17).
Last year's record: 1-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: stmarksschool.org.
Returning starters ( 12): Alex Dupless QB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Jared Jamaal FB, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Kevin Erving RB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Brian Burbank WR, 6-1, 190, Sr.; John Loverme C, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Rick Aldrich OT/DT, 6-2, Sr., 240; Connor Flanagan OT/DT, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Tim Golding OT, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Tommy Hubbard RB, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Tony Fazio DT, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Jamie Everett OL, 5-7, 160, Sr.; George Howland K, 6-0, 195, Sr.
Strengths: Experience.
Concerns: Depth and possible injuries.
Outlook: In Brennan's four years as coach at St. Mark's, he has never been blessed with a roster of this size. With several players over 200 pounds, the Lions should be strong along the lines and provide time in the pocket for Dupless to hook up with wide-out threat Burbank. Jamaal will open up holes in front of Erving and Hubbard in the hope of bettering last fall's 97 points on offense.
ST. PAUL'S
Coach: Matt Winslow (third year, 2-13).
Last year's record: 2-6.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: sps.edu.
Returning starters (6): Paul
Strengths: Skill positions.
Concerns: Size on both lines.
Outlook: The return of Havas will provide St. Paul's with veteran leadership at the quarterback position. Winslow hopes that Havas has the ability to mesh with the offense, which will feature multi-sets including the Wing-T, spread, and bunch formations. "The defensive front will be a 3-4 base switching to a 5-2 and 6-2 in short yardage situations," said Winslow.
ST. SEBASTIAN'S
Coach: Bob Souza (29th year,119-82-9).
Last year's record: 2-6.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: stsebs.org/athletics.
Returning starters (6): Tom Stratton LB/FB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Darvis Rankins TB/S, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Chimaobi Chukwu DT/OT, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Dan White OG/DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Chris Homsy DE/TE, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Sam Arocho, LB/FB, 5-10, 205, Sr.
Strengths: Defense.
Concerns: Quarterback competition.
Outlook: It is never a good thing to go into a season with uncertainties at quarterback and that holds true for the Arrows. Souza will have to choose between signal-callers Pat Kelly and Joe McNamara and hope one can emerge to give the team a consistent attack. Souza points to the first four games of the season (Milton, Governor's, Middlesex, and Belmont Hill) as crucial tests.
THAYER
Coach: Jeff Toussaint ( third year, 12-4-1)
Last year's record: 8-0-1.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: thayer.org.
Returning starters (10): Nathan Richman OT/DT, 6-6, 270, Sr.; Patrick Marr, OL/DL 5-11, 210, Sr.; Peter Gooding, C-DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Dan Pozner, QB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; John Lerner, LB/RB 5-8, 175, Sr.; Alex Shulman, LB/TE, 6-2, 200, Jr.; Ryan Urso, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Ian Vieira, RB/DB, 5-11, 185, Jr.; Evan Murray, DL/OL, 6-6, 290, Jr.; Matt Evans, LB/RB, 6-1, 190.
Strengths: Overall team speed, skill positions.
Concerns: Inexperience/depth on the line.
Outlook: Though they did lose a great deal of talent to graduation, Thayer has several key players returning. ``Richman [a BC early commit] is a top-notch high school lineman, and Pozner has had an excellent preseason at QB," said Toussaint. In addition, Shulman, Urso, Vieira, and Evans all started last year for the Thayer defense, one of the best in the ISL, giving up just 68 points.
Compiled by David Auguste. Material from ISL coaches was used in this report. 
