Cape Ann Small football capsules
CAPE ANN SMALL
AMESBURY
Coach: Thom Connors (sixth year, 18-36).
Last year's record: 5-5.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: ci.amesbury.ma.us.
Returning starters (6): Jay Wheeler, OT, 6-4, 245, Sr.; Nick Eaton, OT, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Stephen Serwon, TE-LB, 6-1, 195, Jr.; Kyle Mroz, OT, 6-0, 235, 6-0; Jared Flannigan, HB-S, 5-6, 165, Jr.; Kevin Johnston, HB-CB, 5-5, 155, Jr.
Returning letter winners (9): Adam Bragg, C, Sr.; Shawn Blaiscell, G-LB, Sr.; John Lannon, SE-CB, Sr.; Steve Levarity, OT, Sr.; Dan Jones, DE-FB, Sr.; Bill Medvitz, S, Jr.; Sean Concannon, LB, Jr.; David Smith, QB, Jr.; Matt Scalesse, LB, Sr.
Strengths: Team speed.
Concerns: Lack of experience.
Outlook: Connors doesn't deny that the team is not fully at the level it could be to win the league but he is encouraged by the young starters from last season who have returned. "We had a very young team a year ago," he said. "And now we have a pretty good nucleus of starters left over." One of the positions that should make a huge impact is the speedy secondary, led by senior cornerback John Lannon. Offensively, they rest their hopes on junior tight end Steve Serwan who ended last season very strong, winning the MVP of Amesbury's Thanksgiving game. "He's coming off a great season," said Conners, "He's got good size, runs very well, has outstanding hands and he also does a nice job of picking his spots defensively. He's an overall solid player."
LYNNFIELD
Coach: Bill Adams (17th ).
Last year's record: 1-10.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: lynnfield.k12.ma.us/education/sportszone/
Returning starters (10): Nick Goodwin, DE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Chris Klove, C-DE, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Pat Lamustra, RB-LB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Jeff Millinazzo, WR-S, 5-9, 163, Sr.; Alex Mastrangelo, WR-CB, 5-11, 155, Sr.; Mario Padovani, WR-LB, 6-0, 167, Sr.; Ben Salisbury, RB-LB, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Nick Tropeano, G-DE, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Tanner Hutchinson, WR-DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Jeremy Ponn, G-DT, 6-0, 265, Sr.
Returning letter winners (5): Greg Banos, C-LB, So.; Colton Croteau, DE, Sr.; Eric Inglise, G-DT, So.; Ryan Perkins, WR-DB, Jr.; Nick Roberts, WR-DB, So.
Strengths: Competitive fire, numbers.
Concerns: Inexperience especially at quarterback.
Outlook: After having sub-.500 seasons the past two years, Adams is impressed with the attitude his players are bringing to the field--especially from the underclassmen. "The young kids are bringing new life and energy and so far, so good," he said. It is, however, a cause for concern that the combined number of freshmen and sophomores is greater than the combined number of juniors and seniors. With the graduation of QB Steve Palladino and no senior available to play the position, the team will have to hope for a smooth transition to a quarterback with very little experience. Who that quarterback is has yet to be determined since there are currently two freshmen and two sophomores trying out for the job. "All four of the kids are good athletes and good quarterbacks," said Adams. "But all four of them have only sub par varsity experiences." The influx of youth will prove useful in the long run since now it brings the total number of players up to 52, the largest number they've had in years, which will help reduce the number of two-way starters and provide fresh legs deep into the season.
HAMILTON-WENHAM
Coach: Andrew Morency (second year, 7-3).
Last year's record: 7-3.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: hs.hw-regional.k12.ma.us/athletics/index.htm
Returning starters (8): David Littlefield, G-DE, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Corey Daff, OT-DT, 6-3, 225, Jr.; Jeremy Walton, C-DT, 6-3, 250, Jr.; Tom Drinkwater, OT-DE, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Jake Cotter, RB-FS, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Nate Masterson, RB-LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; John Hession, G-LB, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Derek Keith, LB, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Returning letter winners (4): Justin Mullen, LB, Jr.; Casey Coyler, RB-LB, Jr.; Joe Hoyle, TE-DE, Sr.; Steve Bangora, RB-CB, Jr.
Strengths: Defensive line, running backs.
Concerns: Secondary, depth.
Outlook: How do you alleviate the pain of losing the record-breaking QB/WR tandem of Connor Sullivan and Mike Drinkwater? Morency does it by thinking of his opponents being crushed by his defensive line. Every player on the D-Line is a returning starter and has had the opportunity to gel and work together. When combined with the strong linebacking corps anchored by senior captain Nate Masterson, they form a formidable bastion for the Hamilton-Wenham defense. While they're strong upfront, the secondary will have to step up mightily with most of the players have little-to-no experience. On the other side of the ball, the strong O-line will help protect sophomore QB Andy Duval who will have some large shoes to fill. Morency is confident that Duval will quickly provide stability to that position. "Andy was our JV quarterback last year," he said. "We know he has a lot to learn but he's worked hard all summer and he's well respected amongst his peers and very coachable. I know he can rise to the challenge."
IPSWICH
Coach: Ted Flaherty (seventh year, 27-39).
Last year's record: 11-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: go-tigers.org
Returning starters (3): Chris Tolios, OL-LB, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Chad Leonard, RB-LB, 5-7, 168, Jr.; Neil Berzins, OL-DL, 6-1, 267, Jr.
Strengths: Senior leadership.
Returning letter winners (0): .
Concerns: Lack of experience.
Outlook: Now that Ipswich has had an entire off-season to celebrate their division title, it's back to the gridiron for the Tigers who look to defend their crown. While a good number of players have graduated, there is still a talented core of upperclassmen that are looking to repeat. Headlining the talented group are junior Jim Cadogen, an up-and-coming running back, athletic lineman junior Neil Berzens, and senior captain Chris Tolios. The latter two are holdovers from the championship team and provide very strong leadership to the large number of freshmen and sophomores that make up the majority of the roster. Flaherty sees his team improving week upon week as the new pieces fit in with the old but he also looks to the Thanksgiving game against Hamilton-Wenham as the game that will determine their fate in the league. "For the last two years, our Thanksgiving day game against Hamilton-Wenham has been for the league title so we always look forward to that game," he said.
NEWBURYPORT
Coach: Ed Gaudiano (21st year, 126-86).
Last year's record: 3-8.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: Newburyport.k12.ma.us/high/athletic/index.html
Returning starters (10): Kevin Ryan, OL-DE, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Chris Barry, TE-DE, 6-4, 220, Sr.; Richard Pace, OL-DL, 5-7, 200, Sr.; Sam Melanson, HB-DB, 5-7, 180, Sr.; Justin Burl, HB-LB, 6-1 190, Sr.; David Freeman, FB-DL, 5-10, 215, Jr.; Joe Clancy, QB-DB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Kyle LeBlanc, HB-DB, 5-8, 170, So.; Chris Gogolos, OL-DL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Greg Short, HB-DB, 6-0, 180, Jr.
Returning letter winners (0):
Strengths: Senior leadership.
Concerns: Depth.
Outlook: Don't let the 3-8 record fool you - a lot of those games were decided by one touchdown or less. "We didn't have a great record last year," said Gaudiano. "But for the most part, we were competitive. We lost a few close games here and there." He looks to rebound this season barring any serious injury. Depth is a serious problem for the team as one injury could prove detrimental. Yet things should bode well because of the core group of players, made up of four-year starters Kevin Ryan and Chris Barry, expected to carry the team on their backs in the early portion of the season as the rest of the varsity squad gets the necessary experience to win. One of the notable changes to this year's team is the movement of David Freeman from a linebacker and offensive lineman to a defensive lineman and full back. The secondary is an area of concern since it is in a rebuilding period but the hope is the shifting of Greg Short to the free safety spot will make a difference.
NORTH READING
Coach: Jeff Wall (fifth year, 17-25).
Last year's record: 3-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: http://hs.north-reading.k12.ma.us/.
Returning starters (12): Ronnie Rossi, C, 6-1, 275, Jr.; Matt Macauley, G/LB, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Nick Chalmers, T, 6-2, 320, Sr.; Joe Burns, G/LB, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Mike Brooks, TE/DE, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Brendan Lutz, FB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Dino Rizzo, HB/OLB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Josh Robinson, HB/OLB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Darren Hartwell, WR, 6-4, 155, Jr.; John Mitton, WR. 5-8, 160, Sr.; James Campbell, QB/LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Bobby Rosano RB/S, 5-5, 137, So.
Returning letter winners (0):
Strengths: Linebacker position .
Concerns: Depth and injuries.
Outlook: The season hasn't even started yet and the Hornets are scrambling to make up for their injuries. Unfortunately, their lack of numbers in the JV squad isn't helping the situation and depth will be an issue they'll tackle this season. Luckily, they have a strong experienced core group of seniors who have played together since their sophomore year and their leadership will have to carry them until they heal from their premature injuries. Another strong point of the team is the linebacker position, easily the most talented position on the team. On the other side of the ball, junior wide receiver Darren Hartwell is expected to have a breakout season along with tailback Josh Robinson. As for the season, Wall is particularly looking forward to the game against league-rival Lynnfield especially after one of their coaches defected to the other sideline.
Compiled by Sarina Mathai
