Greater Boston League football capsules
ARLINGTON
Coach: Dan Hirsch (third year, 9-11).
Last year's record: 4-6.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (11): John Reardon, QB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Blake Yee, DT/G, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Brian Flynn, DT/OT, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Ryan Sheehan, DB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Matt Willey, FB/LB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Pat Cronin, T, 5-9, 190, Jr.; Joe Caniff, LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Trevor Pitts, OT, 6-1, 240, Jr.; Taylor Bialack, C/DT, 6-3, 290, Jr.; Greg Moulten, DB, 6-0, 180, So.; Zach Lee, K, 6-1, 185, So.
Returning letter winners (4): Joseph Dealmeida, CB, Sr.; Gus Fahey, LB, Sr.; Mark Regan, S/SE, Jr.; Dan Leary, TB, Sr.
Strengths: Offseason commitment, size on offensive and defensive lines.
Concern: Team speed.
Outlook: Senior John Reardon is back, and Hirsch is happy to have a tested quarterback. "John's our field general and he will lead our offense again this season," Reardon said. "He has a lot of experience." Junior linebacker Matt Willey will captain a defense that Hirsch believes is further along than some of his defenses have been in the past. Reardon is searching for a starting running back, and some combination of senior Dan Leary and Willey will be the formula to start the season. Reardon wants to avoid playing Willey on both sides of the ball if he can. Arlington has a lot of depth and size on the defensive line, and all five starters from last year are returning to the box, including the 290-pound Taylor Bialack, who will start on both lines. Reardon usually coaches with a three-man defensive front, and he will use the extra players to rotate linemen in and out and keep legs fresh. "If we can get to a point where we can wear people down, that would be good," Hirsch said.
CAMBRIDGE
Coach: Paul Gonnella (third year, 11-10).
Last year's record: 7-3.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: cambridgefalcons.com.
Returning starters (12): Ray Doucette, QB, 6-4, 175, Jr.; Josh Adams, WR/S, 6-4, 200, Jr.; Jerard Warren, DE/OT, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Julien Buck, T, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Vinson Givans, RB/LB, 6-1, 208, Sr.; Jesse Sparks, WR, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Hector Ortiz, C, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Tommy Cosgrove, RB, 5-10, 202, Sr.; Justin Bernard, WR/S, 6-0, 180, Jr.; George Skelton, WR/S, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Tyler Barnes, DE, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Jared March, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, Jr.
Returning letter winners (8): Schyler Alleyne, OL, Jr.; Javon Augustave, RB/LB, Sr.; Corey Brammer, OL/DL, Jr.; Michael Mediros, OL/DL, Jr.; Dimitri Germain, OL/DL, Jr.; Chris Bohae, WR/DB, Sr.; Joel Barnes, WR/DB, Sr.; Anthony Beckford, WR/DB, Sr.
Strength: Experience.
Concern: Decision-making.
Outlook: Junior quarterback Ray Doucette had 20 TD passes last year. Jesse Sparks, Doucette's favorite target, is entering his senior season after leading Division 1 with 10 TD catches. "Ray's mechanics are great," Gonnella said. "And having Jesse with him will pose some problems for some teams." Josh Adams, standing at 6-4, is a big target and another deep threat who will benefit from all of the attention Sparks demands. Gonnella will try to change his offensive strategy a little bit this season and present a more balanced offense. Vinson Givans will take more handoffs to reduce the pressure on Doucette and switch things up. "We were a little one-dimensional in the last few years," Gonnella said. "We're trying to devise stuff to get our athletes to make plays." Cambridge is big and experienced on the offensive line. Jerard Warren, Julien Buck, Hector Ortiz, and Jared March are all returning starters, and are all over 6-0, 210 pounds. They should be able to create running lanes for Givans and give Doucette time in the pocket.
EVERETT
Coach: John DiBiaso (26th year, 195-58-1).
Last year's record: 12-0.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: eclub.org.
Returning starters (15): Jesus Crawford, WR, 5-11, 185, Jr.; Justin Spinelli, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Joe Baldicchino, TE/DE, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Dan Izzo, T, 6-1, 255, Sr.; Doug Hanlon, G, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Pat McGrath, G/LB, 6-2, 245, Sr.; Ralph Faia, C, 5-11, 255, Jr.; Isaac Johnson, HB/CB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Nick Brown, HB, 5-11, 180, So.; J.W. Forte, QB, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Peter Chiarello, DE, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Nick Cristiano, DT, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Brian Nuzzo, LB, 6-3, 205, Jr.; Jim Noel, CB, 6-4, 185, Jr.; Igor Garcia, K, 6-0, 170, Jr.
Returning letter winners: Too many to list.
Strength: Experience.
Concern: Inexperience at QB.
Outlook: The starting quarterback job is up for grabs between J.W. Forte and Joe Conti. "We've got some big shoes to fill," DiBiaso said. "And it's between these two guys to fill those shoes." Running back Isaac Johnson is returning for his senior season after scoring 14 TDs last year, and defenses will be getting a steady dose of the dynamic back. "He's the premier running back in the state," DiBiaso said. Four starters return on the offensive line. "We've got a lot of weapons coming back," DiBiaso said. "I think this is the fastest team that I've ever had here." Johnson will have some heavy hitters paving the way for him again this season; Everett has four returning starters on the offensive line -- Dan Izzo, Doug Hanlon, Pat McGrath, Ralph Faia -- and all of them are big and experienced. "To have those guys coming back really helps," DiBiaso said. Defensively, Everett lost two talented linebackers in Walter Fallas and Rob Nazzaro, but there are players ready to step into bigger roles. "We've got a lot of weapons coming back," DiBiaso said. "I think this is the fastest team that I've ever had here."
MALDEN
Coach: John Lopresti (second year, 3-7).
Last year's record: 3-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: webdev.malden.mec.edu/mhs/sports.htm.
Returning starters (9): Rodney Borgeola, WR, 5-10, 160, Sr.; David Freni, TE, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Mike Gilardi, C, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Justin Richardson, QB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Eddie Perez, OLB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Andrwe DiNisco, LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Michael Ricketts, S, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Mike Riveria, CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Deshauwn Bunch, OLB, 5-9, 180 .
Returning letter winners (2): Evens Didi, RB, Jr.; Marcos Alemedia, WR/P, So.
Strength: Skill positions.
Concerns: Youth, inexperience.
Outlook: The graduation of star running back Jimmy Chery leaves a huge hole in the backfield. Junior Evens Didi is the only returning running back with experience, but no starter has been named yet. "We have to start with what we have and build from there," Lopresti said. Junior Justin Richardson will start at quarterback for the second straight year and brings some needed stability to the offense. "He's a gamey kid," Lopresti said. "He understands the game really well." Malden, like so many other teams, is undersized on both lines. However, Lopresti has a core of experienced linebackers -- Eddie Perez, Andrew DiNisco, Deshauwn Bunch -- that could bother opposing offenses. Lopresti is hoping that they can create as much chaos as possible. "We have to hope that we can cover them so they'll make plays," he said. Malden will rely heavily on its defense this season, and Lopresti will be more aggressive with play calling to compensate for lack of size on the defensive line. "Our defense kept us in a lot of games last year," he said. "But it's hard to get big linemen so we have to be more aggressive."
MEDFORD
Coach: Jim Atkins (first year at Medford, 21-11 at Chelsea).
Last year's record: 1-10.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: maxpreps.com.
Key returning players (4): Dennis Barnwell, RB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Steve Murphy, RB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Bobby Davis, DE, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Robert Sullivan, DB, 5-8, 175, Sr.
Strength: Depth at running back.
Concern: Tough early-season schedule.
Outlook: Atkins doesn't have a grasp of his team's identity yet, but he believes that the group he has is much better than last year's record. "We don't have a 1-10 talent team," he said. "We should be a lot better than that." Atkins cited four returning players that could have a significant impact, including running backs Dennis Barnwell and Steve Murphy, who could be very productive for the Medford offense. Defensively, Atkins cited defensive end Bobby Davis and outside linebacker Robert Sullivan as important cogs in the defense. "Both of them are making big plays for us right now," Atkins said.
SOMERVILLE
Coach: Harry Marchetti (third year, 6-15).
Last year's record: 6-4.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (13): Cassius Belfon, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Ricardo David, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Kervin Edouard, TE/LB, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Elizandro Flores, S/RB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Steve Francis, T, 5-11, 230, Jr.; David Guerra, RB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Jesse LaMontagne, LB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Jonathan Norena, FB/LB, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Rene Norestant, TE/DE, 6-2, 200, Jr.; Tobin Pierre, QB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Claudy Saint-Vil, T, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Chetan Sharma, RB/DB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Zach Wackman, DE/T, 6-2, 260, Sr. .
Returning letter winners (9): Jonathan Candido, C, Jr.; Marcello Ciampa, RB, Jr.; Junior Dornevil, T, Sr.; Frantz Dorvilier, L, Sr.; Dordy Jean-Jacques, DE, Sr.; Duvinson Norestant, T, Jr.; Tom Sloane, T, Sr.; Robert Taylor, T, Jr.; Jeff Guzman, DB, So.
Strength: Team speed.
Concern: Size on both lines.
Outlook: After turning an 0-11 campaign in 2005 into a respectable 2006 season, Somerville returns most of its key position players, including Tobin Pierre at quarterback and Ricardo David in the backfield. Marchetti is a run-first coach but will throw a little more this year because Pierre has one more season of experience. "Tobin knows the offense and he's a quick kid," Marchetti said. David ate up big yardage last season, helping Marchetti control the clock, and he's been working hard in the offseason to prepare for another rigorous year. Last season, Pierre had to sub in at running back intermittently during the season because of David's injuries. "Ricardo got a little banged up last year," Marchetti said. "But he's been in the weight room every day." Marchetti is hoping that his offensive line, which has decreased in bulk, will be able to open up some holes for David. "We like to run the ball, and if we can just get into people and get into our blocks, Ricardo will be able to get through the creases." Somerville is fast and athletic at linebacker -- three returning starters play at LB -- and in the secondary.
WALTHAM
Coach: Paul Mayberry (fifth year, 26-14).
Last year's record: 8-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: city.waltham.ma.us/SCHOOL/Athletics/ath.htm.
Returning starters (4): Don Hopkins, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Steve Hopkins, WR/DB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Mike Doucet, OL/DL, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Chaz Agrillo, TE/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.
Returning letter winners (10): Mark Benoit, OL/LB, Sr.; John Connolly, DB/WR, Sr.; Anthony Creonte, WR/DB, Sr.; Marco Duca, OL/DL, Sr.; Ednel Horace, LB/WR, Sr.; Oscar Ochoa, WR/DB, Sr.; Carl Russo, TE/LB, Sr.; Chris Sullivan, OL/DL, Sr.; Alex Ward, RB/DB, Sr.; Ryan Navin, OL/DL, Sr.
Strength: Leadership.
Concern: Inexperience.
Outlook: "The twins are going to do a lot of work for us." That's Mayberry's sentiment regarding Don and Steve Hopkins, two of just four returning starters. The brothers will have to be huge on both sides of the ball until the rest of the team catches up with the system. The starting RB job is still up in the air. Alex Ward, who did not start for the Hawks last season, is the only returning player with experience at running back. "We are still working on the running game," Mayberry said. "We have four or five different backs that we are going to use." Mike Doucet, a 6-2, 285-pound senior, will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Waltham runs the I-formation on the offensive end, and Doucet, along with returning linemen Mark Benoit, Marco Duca, Chris Sullivan, and Ryan Navin, will need to create some space for the running game. Defensively, the Hawks are "working to get better," Mayberry said. "It is going to take a little time because we're young." Waltham doesn't have a primary defensive set, so the Hawks will do "a little bit of everything," Mayberry said.
Compiled by Rob Greenfield 
