Mayflower Small football capsules
DIMAN
Coach: Richard Vickery (second year).
Last year's record: 0-11.
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: dimanregional.org/athletics.
Returning starters (5): Andrew Alvarez, FB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Corey Furtado, RB, 5-6, 150, Sr.; Arthur Duarte, RB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Keith Raposa, C, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Daniel Boulay, QB, 5-11, 165, Sr.
Returning letter winners (8): Nick Paquin, TE, Jr.; Mitch Medeiros, OT, Jr.; Eric Couto, OG, Sr.; Jonathan Wojtowitz, OG, Jr.; Nick Little, OG, Jr.; Nick Amaral, WR, Sr.; Shane Caetano, WR, Sr.; Easton Mello, WR, Sr.
Strength: Quickness.
Concerns: Size, inexperience.
Outlook: Coming off what Vickery sarcastically called "a perfect season" in their inaugural varsity campaign, the Bengals are setting realistic goals: to execute properly and get one win. "The kids didn't like the idea of not winning a game last year," Vickery said. The winless campaign taught the returning lette winners humility as the undersized and "very, very green" program struggled through its schedule, according to Vickery. "If we can execute and continue to get better and better, that'll take care of the wins." The offense will be anchored by a trio of senior backs, Alvarez, Furtado, and Duarte, who will be looking to improve on a paltry scoring average of only 8.8 points a game.
HOLBROOK-AVON
Coach: Frank Cass (third year, 6-13).
Last year's record: 5-5.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: holbrook.k12.ma.us.
Returning starters (6): Josh Savoy, QB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Kevin Desouza, WR, 5-5, 130, Jr.; Tyler Richards, T, 5-5, 170, Jr.; Joe Lynch, DE, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Vlad Saintine, RB, 5-7. 150, Sr.' Patrick Hamlin, G, 5-7, 130, Sr.
Returning letter winners (2): Luke Pomerleau, C, Soph.; Jeremy Gallagher, RB, Jr.
Strength: Offense.
Concerns: Defense.
Outlook: Savoy, who led Division 4 in touchdown passes with 17 as a sophomore, is back to lead the offense. Holbrook-Avon had an up-and-down season in 2006, recording four of its five wins by more than one touchdown, but being outscored 151-28 in its five losses. So far, the offense is ahead of the defense, which explains where Cass's concern lies. Holbrook survived an offseason, much like Stoneham's with threats to cut the program. It's a small school with big user fees but there has been success. Cass calls this year's team a "good group of kids."
NANTUCKET
Coach: Vito Capizzo (46th year, 293-124-8).
Last year's record: 6-5.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: http://www.npsk.org.
Returning starters (5): Eric Hughes, MLB/G, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Thomas Simalorios, E/OLB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Evan Houghlin, WR/CB, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Jordan Ferreria, WR/S, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Nigel Koester, C/G, 6-1, 200, Sr.
Returning letter winners (2): Delroy Lawrence, WR, Jr.; Josh Butler, WR, Jr.
Strengths: Team speed
Concerns: Loss of nine senior starters.
Outlook: With the smallest turnout since 1964, Nantucket will struggle with depth and experience all season. The roster has just 28 players but the good news is many were on last year's JV team that went 10-1. One of those JV starters will play quarterback for the varsity this fall, junior Chris Walsh. Capizzo doesn't expect to be celebrating his 300th win this fall but with a young teqam he hopes to lay the groundwork for a 2008 milestone. Two players who will be missed are Andriques Farmer and John O'Mara, who each finished '06 with 81 points, good enough for fifth in Division 4.
OLD COLONY
Coach: David Lamontagne (second year).
Last year's record: 2-8.
Playing surface: Grass
Football website: oldcolony.tec.ma.us/athletics/foot.
Returning starters (5): Jose Ferro, OG-DT, 5-7, 185, Sr.; David Flint, WR, 5-5, 145, Sr.; Nick Weigel, OL-LB, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Ryan Midwood, RB-DB, 5-6, 150, Jr.; Nick Andrade, WR-DB, 6-0, 180, Jr.
Returning letter winners (6): Ryan McAvoy, RB-LB, Sr.; Kyle Larrivee, RB-DB, Sr.; Kevin Sferrazza, RB-LB, Sr.; Joe Fasano, OL-DL, Jr.; Derek Faulk, OL-DL, Sr.; Tyler Guilbault, OL-DE, Jr.
Strengths: Defensive backfield.
Concerns: Blocking from the TE position.
Outlook: One concern entering the season for the Cougars will be whether Sferrazza, who saw only limited action last season, can replace the offense (seven touchdowns) produced by now-graduated fullback Joe Sargo. Also, while Lamontagne has designed a new offense around QB Cote Perry, the starting shortstop for the Cougar baseball team and first year player, he acknowledges that "you have to be able to run to set up the pass." Most coaches say they take a season game by game, or day by day. Lamontagne breaks it down even further, "I take it play by play." The Cougars lost 16 seniors in 2005 and the team regressed to 2-8 in 2006. Losing only six seniors after last season leaves Old Colony in good position to improve upon their sub-par record from a year ago, according to Lamontagne. "Experience does have it's play in this game," he said, "We got beat up and thrown around a lot last year. Once you get beat up one too many times you do something about it."
TRI-COUNTY
Coach: Dan McLean (second year).
Last year's record: 3-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: tri-county.tec.ma.us/athletic/Football/football.htm
Returning starters (10): John Bowman, OT-DT, 6-1, 310, Sr.; James Mulcahey, OG-DE, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Dan Grillo, OG-LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Peter Beckwith, RB-LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Keith Robinson, C-LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; James Abel, OT-LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Chris Garceau, TE-DE, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Shawn Roche, RB-DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Chris Coffey, DB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Lucas Mistler, QB-LB, 6-1, 190, Jr.
Returning letter winners (4): Tim Boss, WR, Sr.; Jeff Morandi, DB, Sr.; Mitch Dupree, OG-DT, Sr.; Jamie McLaughlin, WR-K, Jr.; Derek Mucciarone, QB-DB, Jr.
Strengths: Speed, returning players with varsity experience.
Concerns: Inexperience at quarterback, overall depth.
Outlook: With a year of a new system under their belts, MacLean and the Cougars are hoping that familiarity will help them improve on last year's 3-7 record. "I'm excited about how the kids worked out in the off-season," MacLean said, noting that the juniors from last year's team, this year's seniors, have really pushed the younger players hard. "It's their senior season and they want to have a good year. The leadership level is definitely where I want it to be." With the Cougars losing QB Chris Campo to graduation in 2006, the inexperience of the man under center may be a major factor in determining the success of Tri-County's season, especially considering the opposition outscored the Cougars by 110 points last year. "Defensively we were a very physical team last season and we hope to do that again," MacLean said. "If we can hit well that will help keep us in the game."
WEST BRIDGEWATER
Coach: Bill Panos (22d year).
Last year's record: 10-1.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: wbridgewaterhigh.com/athletics.
Returning starters (9): Brian Flaherty, HB-CB, 5-6, 160, Sr.; Shawn Glidden, C-DL, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Matt Harris, FB-LB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Eric Johansen, TE-DE, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Matt Nunes, QB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Greg Pigeon, WR-S, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Jon Rose, OG-DE, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Michael Courtemanche, DL, 5-11, 245, Jr.; Ryan Webby, S, 6-0, 185, Jr.
Returning letter winners (17): James Luiz, OL-DL, Sr.; Dana McCusker, OL-DL, Sr.; A.J. Coots, OL-DL, Jr.; Vincent Coppola, OL-DL, Jr.; Matt Costello, OL-DL, Jr.; Evan Fernberg, OL-DL, Jr.; Evan Jasper, RB-DB, Jr.; Eryk Powers, DB, Jr.; Tom Reed, OL-DL, Jr.; Jonathan Frankel, OL-DL, So.; Nathaniel Frankel, OL-DL, Jr.; Patrick Johansen, RB-LB, So.; David Manning, RB-DB, So.; Bryan Nunes, E-DB, So.; Chris O'Connell, RB-DB, So.; Kyle Rivers, E-DB, So.; Daniel Thom, RB-LB, So.
Strengths: All skilled positions return in 2007.
Concerns: Inexperience on the offensive and defensive lines.
Outlook: The Wildcats won their eighth Division 4 Super Bowl in 2006; in 2007 they will wear that number on their helmets, but for a very different reason. They will wear it to honor the memory of Jose Gurley, their former teammate killed at a party in June. "It's something we carry with us all the time," Panos said. "It has been very difficult for all of us. Not because of who he was as a football player, but just because of who he was as a person. Every time you think about it, it tears at your heart." Though he only played one year, Gurley worked hard and became a factor as a rookie, catching six touchdown passes. Nunes, who last season accounted for 15 touchdowns, 10 passing and 5 rushing, returns to lead the offense. Sophomore twins, Jonathan and Nathaniel Frankel, should contribute on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
Compiled by Jack McCluskey
