Middlesex League football capsules
BELMONT
Coach: Kevin Gildea (third year, 11-10).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (5): Chris Crugnale, RT/DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Jordan Boswell, RG/DE, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Anthony Moroso, C, 6-2, 248, Sr.; John Woodland, LG/LB, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Alex Chipman, DL, 6-3, 265, Sr.
Returning letter winners (3): Phil Dumont, RB, Sr.; Anthony Paolillio, LB, Jr.; Richie Dimatteo, FB, Sr.
Strengths: Experience on lines.
Concerns: Inexperience in skill positions.
Outlook: The Marauders climbed to a comfortable spot among the Middlesex heavyweights in 2005 when they finished a surprising 7-3, but fell off the radar last year. Gildea, now fully-accustomed to the Belmont lifestyle, knows exactly where to point to this year. "We need to play sounder defense," the coach said. "It might require some mental toughness, too. I also have to just be more patient with young kids," Gildea said. "They just have to continue to work at it." The returning core is thin, but Belmont has size on both lines, areas which many teams often can't rely on. The linemen will lead the pack, while Gildea will hope for a return to his '05 success. "You have to focus on the game at hand and nothing else," he said. "The league's too strong to be taking your eyes off that goal."
BURLINGTON
Coach: Shawn Maguire (14th year, 91-54-5).
Last year's record: 12-1.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: maxpreps.com.
Returning starters (5): Ben Mullin, OG/MLB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Cody Costa, C/DE, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Alex Miliano, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Kyle Pierce, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Derek Drugg, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr..
Returning letter winners (5): Todd Bettinson, OT/DT, Sr.; Brendan Healy, OG/DT, Sr.; Bryan Murray, WR/DB, Sr.; Matt Valley, DB/RB, Sr.; Ken Stirling, DE/TE, Jr.
Strengths: Defensive backfield and linebackers.
Concerns: Inexperience everywhere.
Outlook: It was one of the finest regular seasons in Burlington football history, but the party is over. Maguire confronted the reality of it all "17 out of our 22 starters are gone, six three-year, two-way starters, and 10 all-league first team kids," the coach laid out. The Red Devils lost in the Division 2 Super Bowl to Foxboro, which finished off an historic season for the team. The good news? There are plenty of players waiting anxiously for their chance. "We need our seniors to rise up," Maguire said. "We need those ones who haven't been able to have that chance to step up. So many kids played for so long ahead of them." Maguire knows his program is established to the point, though, where overall goals have not changed. "The expectations aren't changing at all," he said. "The program expects to be where it should be."
LEXINGTON
Coach: Bill Tighe (32d year at Lexington, 167-160-3; 247-210-3 overall).
Last year's record: 5-6.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: lexingtonfootball.org.
Returning starters (6): Jack Barons, T, 6-4, 255, Sr.; Daniel Popiel, G, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Cam Rawnsley, CB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Joseph Servi, TE, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Brian Walsh, RB, 5-8, 180, Jr.; J.J. Wentzel, RB/DS, 6-0, 195, Sr.
Returning letter winners (7): Sean Leonard, FB, Jr..; John Moscatel, CB, Jr.; Marc Patrick, K, Jr.; Scott Saveriano, SE, Jr.; Darren Holloway, DB, Jr.; James Borden, QB/LB, Jr.; Andy Blackett, T, Jr.
Strengths: Defensive line; running backs.
Concern: Quarterback.
Outlook: When Tighe, one of the foremost veteran coaches in the state, if not the country, speaks, most listen. "This is one of the better teams we've had in the past few years," he said. "We've got eight starters returning. We'll be in the running." The coach already has a prediction for the league favorite, though: "Woburn." Tighe also pointed toward a healthy competition at quarterback, where Moscatel, Borden and John Calbarella are all in the running. "We've got a couple of good sophomores too," the coach said.
MELROSE
Coach: Tim Morris (14th year, 62-58-4).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: melroseschools.com/mhs/athletics.htm.
Returning starters (8): Shaun Foss, FB, 5-9, 193, Sr.; Ryan Webster, RB/LB, 5-6, 184, Sr.; Sean Morris, C/DT, 5-10 1/2, 212, Sr.; Mike Fimiani, WR/CB, 5-5, 135, Sr.; Matt Montani, WR/S, 5-10, 173, Sr.; Lenny Dortch, OG, 5-11, 210, Jr.; Jack Pizzoti, S, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Tim Morris, LB, 5-10, 184, Jr.
Returning letter winners (11): Dale Parsons, QB/SS, Sr.; Diego Veliz, OT, Sr.; Evan Moore, OT, Sr.; Brian Lynch, SS, Sr.; Scott Spinney, RB, Sr.; Mike Censulo, WR, Sr.; Kevin Salines, WR, Jr.; Sean McClory, RB, Jr.; Greg Porcaro, OLB, Jr.; Mike Francis, RB, Jr.; John Dunne, DT, Jr.
Strength: Skill positions.
Concerns: Depth in lines.
Outlook: Patience is a virtue. "We've been young the past couple of years," Morris said. "We've played a lot of young guys. So now we're pretty experienced." A rise out of the middle pack of the Middlesex seems very possible for the Red Raiders this year, but Morris is still thinking about his strong core of graduated linemen. "It seems like you can only have one or the other," he said. "It would be really nice to have some experience up front as well. We really don't have that." An explosive offense, however, may be in the works. Fimiani was a second-team all-league star at wide receiver and is a two-way starter. Montani and running back Webster are two-way starters as well. "I am happy overall with the amount of experience some of the guys have coming back," Morris said.
READING
Coach: John Fiore (fourth year, 15-15).
Last year's record: 5-5.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: reading.k12.ma.us/rmhs/.
Returning starters (8): Jimmy Queeney, TE, 6-2 190, Jr.; Mark Miller, C-DT, 6-2, 260, Sr.; Ryan O'Keeffe, MLB, 6-1, 218, Sr.; Jon Kaine, RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Mike Mavaropoulos, DE, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Steven Buitkus, CB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Bill Callahan, OL-LB, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Giovanni Fodera, G-OLB, 5-11, 188, Sr.
Returning letter winners (7): Tommy DeMasse, RB-SS, 6-1, 168, Sr.; John Halsey, OL-DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Baxter Jones, OL-DL, 5-9, 245, Sr.; Dave Hanson, C-DL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Ryan Pinette, QB-FS, 6-0, 146, Sr.; Matthew Crampton, RB-LB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Matthew Dal Pozzo, RB-CB, 5-11, 158, Jr.
Strengths: Senior leadership, off-season commitment.
Concern: Experience.
Outlook: Running backs Jon Kaine and Steven Buitkus will key a potent ground attack. Quarterback Ryan Pinette has provided solid leadership in the huddle. Four-year starter and first-team league all-star Mark Miller will anchor both lines. Ryan O'Keeffe and Mike Mavaropoulos will provide experience on the defensive side of the ball. Several juniors and sophomores will compete for playing time, looking to build on a 19-1 combined sub-varsity record in 2006. "Our core of players has very quietly reaffirmed their commitment to playing winning football," Fiore said. "They are becoming a close knit group both on and off the field."
STONEHAM
Coach: Bob Powers (seventh year, 16-47).
Last year's record: 7-4.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (5): Marc DeAngelo, DB, 5-9, 163 Sr.; Tim Lee, OL/DL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Dan Murphy, OL, 6-0 266, Sr.; Ryan MacDonald OL/DL, 6-3, 246, Jr.; Dan Dowling, LB, 6-0, 182, Jr.
Returning letter winners (10): Evan Antonucci, OL/DL, Sr., Scott Carchide, OL/DL, Sr.; Cory Devaney, WR/DB, Sr.; Craig Polizzi, OL/DL, Sr.; Jessey Previlon, RB/LB, Sr.; Chris Puglia, FB/LB, Sr.; Joe Tamburrini, OL/DL, Sr.; Richie Abkarian, QB/DB, Jr.; Justin Ehrhardt, TE/LB, Jr.; Oscar Villagran, FB/DB, Jr.
Strength: Offensive line.
Concern: Conditioning.
Outlook: What team will be having the most fun out there this fall? It's hard to pick against the Spartans. First the victims of a town-wide budget cut and then recently re-installed, the Spartans -- along with the rest of the Stoneham Athletic Department -- won't need much motivation this season. Especially since they will be trying to respond to a 7-4 record and one of its finest seasons in recent memory. Powers, though, is most emphasizing conditioning (or the lack thereof). "The offseason conditioning was not up to Spartan standards," the coach said. "Our kids have to get away from thinking about senior year being 'their year.' The time to work is now. We have a lot of holes to fill and it is time to step up." Three returning starters on the offensive line is one place to start.
WAKEFIELD
Coach: Mike Boyages (11th season, 79-19-3).
Last year's record: 7-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: whsfb.com.
Returning starters (6): Matt Mackay, LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Anthony Moccia, C, 5-11, 215, Sr.; John Riley, OG/DT, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Nick Serino, SE/DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Mike Sessa, FB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Brendan Sullivan, OT, 6-3, 255, Sr.
Returning letter winners (10): Sal Bottaro, RB/LB, Sr.; Joe Galli, SE/CB, Sr.; C.J. Jordan, TE/DE, Sr.; Bill Lamson, OG/DT, Sr.; Brian Millea, QB/LB, Sr.; Roland Paquette, TE/SS, Sr.; Cliff Pebley, SE/LB, Sr.; Zack Boyages, RB/DB, Jr.; Martin Hyppolite, RB/DB, Jr.; Matt Riley, FB/LB, Jr..
Strengths: Depth at skill positions, outstanding overall numbers.
Concerns: Inexperience on offensive and defensive backfields.
Outlook: Wakefield isn't a big town, but Boyages' Warriors are making it seem like one. With 81 players on this year's varsity program, Wakefield's sheer roster size alone may be enough to put it in the hunt for the Middlesex League championship. Boyages felt that, with one returning starter last year, his team was "fortunate" to finish 7-3. Now what? "We're coming back with quite a bit more," the coach said succinctly. It'll first have to deal with an ultra-tough first four games, however, as the team plays BB&N, Tewksbury, Burlington and then Woburn. "We're a group that tends to improve as the season progresses," Boyages said in response.
WATERTOWN
Coach: John Cacace (first year).
Last year's record: 0-11.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (10): Danny Alberico, QB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Jonathan Blackwood, TE/DE, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Kyle Fraser, LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Mike Gaete, C/T, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Mike Hegarty, RB/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ryan Hutchings, WR/S., 6-0, 165, Sr.; Ryan Menton, FB/LB 6-0, 215, Sr.; John Petrosyan, T/DE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Ryan LaVache, G, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Narek Pepanyan, T, 5-9, 190, Jr..
Returning letter winners (2): Billy Dellis, G/T, Sr.; Eric Falter, T/T, Jr.
Strength: Senior class -- starting 9 seniors on both sides of the ball
Concern: Depth overall.
Outlook: Playing an independent schedule this year -- free of the nonstop hard-fought competition in the Middlesex League -- will certainly help the undermanned Red Raiders this year get back on a winning track. But it's not a complete break from the past. Belmont, Stoneham, Melrose, and Winchester remain on the schedule. While sporting only 38 total players in the program, Watertown does have nine starting seniors on both sides of the ball, which will definitely be a plus. First-year coach Cacace has seen the excitement build in recent weeks. "I've been extremely happy and excited about how our team has come together in the first two weeks," he said. "There's a positive outlook, strong leadership and our confidence has been growing." The choice to move out of the Middlesex was an easy one. "We'll be facing teams with similar enrollments and a similar strength of program. It'll make for a competitive season."
WINCHESTER
Coach: Paul Sobolewski (second year, 5-6).
Last year's record: 5-6.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (8): Chris Cleary, QB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Josh Harris, RB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Monte Marrocco, WR/CB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Matt Gaither, TE/DE, 6-4, 210, Sr.; Brent McCleod, C/DT, 6-1, 240, Jr.; Andrew Zani, OT/DT, 5-11, 280, Sr.; Charles Bailey, Jr., DT/OT, 6-4, 210, Sr.; Zach Gramlich, MLB, 6-1, 190, Sr.
Returning letter winners (12): Mike Adelman, C, Sr.; Dave Craven, OT, Sr.; Ryan Williamson, OL/DL, Sr.; Rich Gately, DE, Sr.; Brian Medwar, OLB, Sr.; Mike Morreale, OLB, Sr.; Jeff Graham, RB/LB, Jr.; Nick Weber, WR, Jr.; James Hingston, WR, Jr.; Dallon Pearson, WR, Jr.; Joey Cleary, CB, So.; Matt Mangano, QB, Jr.
Strength: Quarterback.
Concerns: Depth on both lines.
Outlook: If it starts with the quarterback, then Winchester may have the biggest Middlesex advantage this season. Cleary, "clearly one of the better ones in the state," according to Sobolewski, has been recruited heavily by Georgetown, Holy Cross, Trinity, and Williams. The amount of returning starters and letter winners also speak volumes to Sobolewski's mission to improve the state of Sachem football. "I look at it as if we're in Phase 2 of a rebuilding process," he said. Having a humble and simple goal is the first start for this team. "We're really striving for a winning record," Sobolewski said. "If anything better happens after that, then that's exactly what we want."
WOBURN
Coach: Rocky Nelson (22d year, 149-74).
Last year's record: 9-2.
Playing surface: Under construction. The Tanners will play four games on grass in Burlington and the rest on the road. The team hopes to have its home field ready by Thanksgiving.
Football website: maxpreps.com.
Returning starters (8): Dan McLaughlin, QB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Matt Welch, FB/LB, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Ryan Ferrone, RB/DB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Chris Martin, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Matt Ramos, OG, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Steve Ruby, NG, 5-10, 245, Sr.; Dan Chiumiento, OT/DT, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Mark Dwyer, TE/DE, 6-4, 245, Sr.
Returning letter winners (7): Brendan McAllister, RB/DB, Jr.; Justin McLaughlin, DB, Sr.; Ryan Teague, QB, Sr.; Mark Iritano, RB, Sr.; Seamus O'Brien, TE/DE, Sr.; Ryan McDonald, FB/LB, Jr.; Shane Faulkinghamshane, G/LB, Jr.
Strength: Senior class starters.
Concerns: Secondary and depth.
Outlook: As of late, it has been difficult to knock Woburn off the Middlesex League throne, but Burlington was able to achieve that last season. It'll be a hard sell this year. The Tanners are back and re-loaded with an intimidating senior class that has their coach raving. "It's a dedicated group of seniors, with a great attitude," Nelson said. With a nonleague schedule that includes Acton-Boxboro and Billerica, Nelson is not taking any chances."In the new format, you have to be a league champion to get to the playoffs, and we're trying to get ready for our league," he said. Still, Nelson knows what awaits him in the Middlesex. "In my experience, it has been a very well-coached and balanced league."
Compiled by Jeff Powalisz
