Big 3 football capsules
BROCKTON
Coach: Peter Colombo (fourth year, 30-8).
Last year's record: 6-6.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: brocktonpublicschools.com
Returning starters (19): John Resende, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Moises Samy, LT, 6-0, 320, Sr.; Henry Thevenin, LG, 6-1, 275, Sr.; Josh Previte, C, 6-1, 290, Sr.; Brian Kelly, RG, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Andy Jameson, RT, 6-3, 300, Sr.; Sharrieff Hall, WR, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Vaughn Askew, QB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Josh Marsh, RB, 5-7, 175, Sr.; Brian Lindor, DT, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Jonathan Roukas, DE/LB, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Lewis Jacoubs, LB, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Olivio Correia, LB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Darren Thellan, FS, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Derek Williams, CB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Alex White, LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Norman Hammond, DE, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Khalil James-Offley, RB, 5-7, 180, Jr.
Returning letter winners: Too many to list.
Strength: Senior leadership.
Concerns: Injuries, tough schedule.
Outlook: The Boxers are big, experienced, and athletic. Quarterback Vaughn Askew and running back Josh Marsh will lead a prolific offense behind some bulldozers on the line. Brockton has 18 starters returning and all but two are seniors. "As your seniors go, your team will go," said Colombo. Askew will have a dynamic target in John Resende at wide receiver, and will have plenty of time to throw behind a veteran line. Colombo expressed some concern about the early schedule, which includes the season-opener at BC High, and ensuing games against Taunton, Xaverian, and St. John's Prep, all in the first month. "You could be a really good football team and still go 0 for 3 vs. that group," Colombo said. The Brockton defense will be as stifling as ever, with linebacker Olivio Correia back for his senior season, three more capable starting linebackers returning (Jonathan Roukas, Lewis Jacoubs, Alex White), and college prospect Darren Thellan in the secondary for one more year. Brockton will be the team to beat in the Big 3 conference and could be the best in the state barring any impact injuries.
DURFEE
Coach: Steve Winarski (14th year, 59-65-3).
Last year's record: 4-6.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: Maxpreps.com.
Returning starters (5): Mark Demello, C, 5-9, 205, Jr.; Pat Robinson, G/LB, 5-8, 220, Sr.; Robert Yarbough, T, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Cameron Pontes, RB/OLB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Roman Nyrick, OLB, 5-6, 170, Sr.
Returning letter winners (3): Jesse Rubio, G, Sr.; Sorath Pennh, LB, Jr.; Robert Costa, S, Sr.
Strength: Numbers.
Concern: Inexperience.
Outlook: Three-year starters B.J. McDonald (quarterback) and Jimmy Powers (running back) have graduated and it will be difficult for Winarski to replace their production. "We were decimated by graduation," Winarski said. There are three contenders at quarterback: senior Robert Costa, junior Kyle Pellerin, and junior Ronald Thomas. They are all competing for the spot right now with no clear frontrunner. "All the quarterbacks are about the same," Winarski said. "No one's outstanding and no one has outshined anyone." It is a tough situation for Winarski, who is trying to find an identity for his team in the early going. The Durfee defense has just three returning starters (Pat Robinson, Cameron Pontes, and Roman Nyrick) and Winarski doesn't know what type of defense will work best yet.
NEW BEDFORD
Coach: Dennis Golden (third year at New Bedford, 33-37 overall).
Last year's record: 3-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (8): Sean Antunes, DE/OL, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Jimmy Francis, DE/TE, 6-0, 212, Sr.; Milford James, FS/QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Cameron Robida, OG/DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Chris Swire, LB/FB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Kyle Veale, RB/DB, 5-5, 165, Sr.; Christian Perez, DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Jhovanny Nunez, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Returning letter winners (14): Bobby Bulgar, LB, Jr.; Mike DeOliveira, DT, Jr.; Jacob Sabran, C/DT, Jr.; Mike Farland, QB/DB, Sr.; Ryan Fernandes, OT, Sr.; Richie Lopez, LB, Sr.; Kristian Rose, LB, Sr.; Melvin Tirado, RB/DB, Sr.; Josh Wunshel, WR, Sr.; Zach Chandannais, OL, Jr.; Kenny Phaneus, FB/DE, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Jimmy Martin, OG, Sr.; Ty Morin, WR/DB, Sr.; Ian Desrosiers, RB/DB, Jr.
Strengths: Smart secondary, experience on offensive line.
Concern: Competition in conference.
Outlook: There is a lot of competition for starting jobs this year. Milford James is pushing starting quarterback Mike Farland for playing time. Senior Kyle Veale is the first-string running back but junior Ian Desrosiers also has the potential to be a starter. Junior Jarrin Edwards and sophomore John Gomes will be key figures on both sides of the ball. Coach Golden has enjoyed getting to know his new team this year. "The kids have a great attitude," he said. "They have been a pleasure to work with." Golden has two newcomers that he feels will contribute this season. The versatile junior Jarrin Edwards can line up at quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back, and sophomore John Gomes is capable at both wide receiver and defensive back. "Both of them are good athletes and will figure into the mix somewhere," Golden said. "Both of them have had a lot of good plays in camp." New Bedford's offensive line, while not as big as some of its competition, has experience on its side. Sean Antunes, Ryan Fernandes, Jimmy Martin, and Zach Chandannais have all played together at one point over the last two seasons, and Golden believes that familiarity will pay off during the year. "They've all played together in some capacity and they're doing a nice job right now," he said. Jhovanny Nunez will be a force in the secondary again, and defensive end Jimmy Francis will continue to penetrate the backfield and slow down ground attacks.
Compiled by Rob Greenfield 
