Cape Ann League Large football capsules
LAWRENCE
Coach: Mike Yameen (third year, 3-19)
Last year's record: 2-9.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: lawrencehighschool.org.
Returning starters (5): Alex Andrews, WR, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Demetri Brown, WR, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Pedro Cruz, OT, 5-10, 270, Jr.; Ramon Heredia, RB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Luis Nova, WR, 5-7, 160, Sr.
Returning letter winners (25): All starters and Anthony Almanzar, LB, Jr.; Aaron Blanco, DB, Jr.; Javy Blanco, LB, So.; Victor Cepeda, DL, Jr.; Richard Cruz, DE, Jr.; Luis Esmurria, RB, Sr.; Adderly Gonzalez, FS, Jr.; Ylvin Hiraldo, TE, Jr.; Walter Jaime, LB, Sr.; Nathaniel Jones, DE, Sr.; Devin Montanez, RB, So.; Alex Quintero, OG, Jr.; Pedro Rodriguez, RB, Jr.; Dimar Torres, WR, Jr.; Julio Valentin, DB, Jr.; Jesus Valerio, DB, Sr.; Kevin Valerio, QB, Jr.; Jose Varella, DT, Jr.; Edwin Viera, LB, Jr.; Kevin Wiggins, C, Sr.
Strengths: Speed at running back, wideouts.
Concern: Inexperience at most positions.
Outlook: "If we mature fast, we'll be competitive," said Yameen of his young squad, who he said averaged between six and seven turnovers a game. The Lancers will switch from a pro-set to a shotgun spread to take advantage of size at wide receiver. Yameen, in his third year on the job, has taken steps to re-establish a program that's gone 9-56 over the past seven seasons. He's forged a relationship with the city's youth football organizations. "Our kids need to learn at a younger age," he said. "There was no working relationship with Pop Warner when I got here." His efforts will certainly help Lawrence in the future, but for now, the varsity squad is still pretty green.
MASCONOMET
Coach: Jim Pugh (19th year, 116-79).
Last year's record: 9-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: masconomet.org/sports.
Returning starters (6): Clay Cleveland, TE/LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; T.C. Mannetta, LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Mike Nazzaro, OG, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Teddy Reed, OT/DT, 6-4, 250, Sr.; Steve Russo, OT, 6-4, 290, Sr.; Eli Vollmer, DT, 6-0, 210, Sr.
Returning letter winners (15): All starters and Evan Bunker, K/DB, Sr.; Dom Bavaro, WR, Sr.; Keaton Cashin, DT, Jr.; Steve Currid, DT, Sr.; Sean Gallagher, WR, Sr.; Mike Hutchinson, TE, Jr.; Nick Salvo, K, Jr.; Chris Splinter, WR, So.; Dan Wendt, DT, Sr.
Strengths: Conditioning, program turnout, depth, kicking.
Concern: Replacing skill positions.
Outlook: They'll need to replace the Bunker cousins -- no easy task, since QB Craig and RB Eric had a hand in 30 touchdowns last year -- but other than that, the Chieftains should be the team to beat in the Cape Ann Large. They might look to a younger class of Bunkers -- Craig's brother, Drew, will compete for the starting QB spot, while Eric's brother, Evan, will be one of several talented tailbacks vying for carries. Pugh said he's replaced some league match-ups with tougher, out-of-conference games to better prepare his players for football after high school.
NORTH ANDOVER
Coach: John Rafferty (seventh year, 41-23).
Last year's record: 7-4.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: nahs.northandoverpublicschools.com/athletics/index.html
Returning starters (4): Andrew Bogosian, OL/DL, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Steve Boudreau, QB/DB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Matt Burckhardt, FB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Nick Faucher, WR/DB, 6-3, 190, Sr.
Returning letter winners (12): All starters and Kyle Dolan, TE/DE, Sr.; Chris Friend, OL/DL, Sr.; Kenny Kobierski, RB/DB, Sr.; Adam Lurvey, TE/DE, Sr.; Alex Marchegiani, OL/LB, Sr.; Ross Marchegiani, OL/LB, Sr.; Dave Sousa, WR/DB, Sr.; Joseph Witts, OL/DL, Sr.
Strength: Coaching, attitude.
Concern: Inexperience.
Outlook: Running back Andrew Foote, 2006 Player of the Year, departs after leading Division 2A in scoring (tied with Wilmington's Rich Barry) for the second straight year. His 26 touches were tied for second-best in EMass. This year, Rafferty has a green, eager group, so he'll "get them doing the basics, and let them play," he said. Last year, the Knights lost their offensive line and senior leadership, but were carried by Foote. Without him, they could struggle. "We always preach the team concept," said Rafferty. "It may sound cliché, but it's what we have to hang our hat on." They'll need to grow quickly if they want to hang around come November.
PENTUCKET
Coach: Steve Hayden (26th year, 162-115).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: pentucketrhs.org
Returning starters (9): Justin Bolla, TE/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Nate Bunnell, RB/DE, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Liam Crawford, QB/WR/DB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Matt Fiore, OL/DL, 6-1, 218, Jr.; Stephen Hayden, OL/DE, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Stephen Jenkins, OG/LB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Jordan Silva, QB/DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Mike Sloban, OL/DE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Dave Spalding, RB/DT, 5-4, 190, Sr.
Returning letter winners (17): All starters and David Creamer, TE/DL, Sr.; Ryan Durkin, WR/DB, Sr.; Matt Green, RB/LB, Sr.; Chris Modlish, RB/DB, Jr.; Brian Pigott, OL/DL, Sr.; Nate Poretta, WR/DB, Sr.; Matt Roberts, OL/DE, Sr.; Jamie Ryan, OL/DL, Sr.
Strength: Positive, hardworking attitude.
Concerns: Lack of size and experience.
Outlook: Pentucket will again be young and inexperienced. Coach Steve Hayden will try to focus his charges on working as a unit. "They're hustling and working hard, so that's a positive thing," he said. Hayden will run a Delaware offense, divvying carries between senior Nate Bunnell and other backs. "Our concerns are trying to stay healthy, and improving our blocking and tackling," he said.
TRITON
Coach: Shawn McElligott (third year, 11-11).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: trsd.net.
Returning starters (4): Jeff Andrews, OT/LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Derek Clark, OL/DE, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Matt Emerzian, QB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ryan Sletoy, OG/DE, 6-0, 205, Sr.
Returning letter winners (7): All starters and Will Joy, DB, Sr.; Brendan O'Neil, RB, So.; Zach Welch, LB, Sr.
Strength: Experience at quarterback and offensive line.
Concern: Lack of overall experience.
Outlook: Senior Matt Emerzian returns at quarterback, but he's one of few vets on a young squad. Triton will run the I-Formation with rookie Billy Tindle, a junior who won the Cape Ann League title in the 100-meter hurdles, and sophomore Brendan O'Neil. They're part of a big sophomore and junior contingent that will get lots of playing time, so the Vikes should see better results in years to come. "They make the mistakes a lot of inexperienced players make," said third-year coach McElligott. "But they're at practice early the next day." Last year, budget cuts forced the program to exist on user fees -- similar to Stoneham's plight -- and the program nearly went under. "We weren't sure if we were going to play football (last year)," said McElligott. But this fall, the Vikes are up and running.
WILMINGTON
Coach: Bob Almeida (11th year, 85-25-1).
Last year's record: 9-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: wilmington.k12.ma.us.
Returning starters (8): Evan Borsetti, LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Kevin Carter, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Corey Groves, FB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; J.J. Lyons, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Mike Manganelli, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Bernie Mello, RB/S, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Kyle Moon, QB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Stephen Stewart, QB/DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Returning letter winners (14): All starters and Tom Barry, WR/DB, Sr.; Matt Brooks, FB/DL, Sr.; Michael Enright, WR/DB, Sr.; Antar George, RB/DB, Sr.; Kenny Joyce, OL/LB, Sr.; Jon Kincaide, OL/DL, Sr.
Strengths: Quarterbacks, running backs, coaching staff.
Concerns: Inexperience, offensive and defensive lines.
Outlook: Wilmington claimed the Cape Ann League (Large) title last season on the strength of RB Rich Barry, who led Division 2A in scoring with North Andover's Andrew Foote. Though he's gone -- along with the offensive and defensive lines, and the entire secondary -- two of the best quarterbacks in the league, senior Kyle Moon, and junior Stephen Stewart, should keep the Wildcats atop the league. "If we can get our lines together in time, we can be in the hunt late in the year," said coach Bob Almeida, whose teams have gone 29-5 over the past three seasons. When Moon went down with an injury last season, Stewart led Wilmington to six straight wins after a hiccup against league power Masconomet. The two QBs will battle for playing time, as will four senior running backs, in a backfield several CAL coaches have tabbed as the most talented in the league.
Compiled by Matt Porter
