Dual County League Small football capsules

ARLINGTON
Coach: Dan Hirsch (fourth year, 19-21).
Last year's record: 5-5.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: Arlington.k12.ma.us.
Returning starters (9): Taylor Bialach, C/DT, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Pat Cronin, FB/NG, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Joe Canniff, DE/TE, 6, 190, Sr.; Matt Willey, 5-10, 190, RB/LB, Sr.; John Roche, 6-1, 190, G/DE, Sr.; Mark Regan, SE/S, 6, 180, Sr.; Trevor Pitts, OT/DT, 6, 225, Sr.; Greg Moulton, S, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Mitchell Coiley, FB/LB, 5-11, 210, Sp.
Returning letter winners (3): Dan O'Loughlin, TE, 6 ,185, Sr.; Alex Maurice, QB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Zach Lee, K, 6, 180, Jr.
Strength: Overall experience and veteran leadership.
Concerns: Team speed.
Outlook: Arlington has moved from the Greater Boston League to the DCL small this year, in hopes of competing with a clean slate against entirely new competition. Hirsch knows he is up against a fierce schedule. "Nothing's going to come easy, that's just the way it is with our team," Hirsch said. "We're not going ot have anybody that's going to walk over." Taylor Bialach starts as a three-year veteran at center, clearing the way for starting quarterback Alex Maurice. Maurice, a senior, has waited a long time for a chance to prove himself as QB, Hirsch said, and finally has the opportunity. "Maurice's level of play could be a strong indication of how successful our season will be," Hirsch said. On the defensive, Bialach will capitalize on his daunting 6'3" 285-pound playing a dual-position, starting on the defensive line at tackle.

BEDFORD
Coach: Jack Belcher (fifth season, 19-26).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: Bedford.k12.ma.us
Returning starters (14): Joe Tiano, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Louis Baker, OL/LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; K.C. Mondello, OL/LB, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Matt Tiano, C, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Dylan Gonsalves, OL, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Ben Rose, TE, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Kevin Cangiano, QB, 6-4, 200, Jr.; Brendan Gibson, FB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Tim McDonald, TB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Ryan Carter, Flanker/CB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Tim Pike, SE/S, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Dave Micu, SS, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Chris Abner, DL, 6, 180, Jr.; Brandon Addison, CB, 5-8, 180, Sr.
Returning letter winners (3): Ben Davis, OL/DL, Sr.; Andrew Davis OL/DL, Sr.; Dylan Curtain, SE/S, Jr.
Strength: Strength in veteran numbers.
Concerns: Overall depth.
Outlook: Almost everyone who started for the Buccaneers is saddling up again in what could prove to be a strong first-season in the DCL small. More than a dozen seasoned veterans are lacing up their cleats in the newly-split league. Watch for Brendan Gibson, Tim Pike, Kevin Cangiano, Joe Tiano, and Dave Micu, who are all two-way players. "With everybody back, we should definitely be able to compete for the DCL small title," Belcher said. Belcher and his team are excited about the chance to play in a newly formed league, and hope to come out on top against DCL champ Wayland.

CONCORD-CARLISLE
Coach: Dick Kerr (16th year, 86-73-1).
Last year's record: 3-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: colonial.net/cchsweb
Returning starters (10): Dan D'Arcy, QB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Harry Scales, FB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Will Burgess, HB, 5-8, 165, Jr.; Zach Driscoll, SE, 6-3, 170, Sr.; Ted Guild, C, 6-1, 207, Sr.; Pat Demers, G, 6-1, 192, Sr.; Jay Stephens, LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Andy Mangin, LB, 5-1, 178, Jr.; Chad Edwards, LB, 5-10, 187, Sr.; Joey Santullo, CB, 6-1, 183, Sr.
Returning letter winners (5): Rob Clark, G, 5'11", 208, Sr.; Andrew Bernard, T, 6'4", 275, Sr.; Frankie Crowley, HB, 6'1", 205, Sr.; Giles Pettingell, T, 6'2", 217, Sr.; John Bumpus, TE, 6'3", 198, Jr.
Strength: Skill positions, team attitudes, leadership of captains and seniors.
Concerns: Both lines.
Outlook: The 3-7 Patriots are hoping for an improved season, in a smaller league where 10 returning starters will have a chance to prove they're worthy of the DCL small title. Kerr's key focus is teaching his athletes to compete in every outing, something that they cannot say they did last year after getting blown out three weeks in a row. Look for senior captain Jay Stevens to be strong on both sides of the ball. The veteran starter missed half of last season due to an injury that sidelined him through Thanksgiving. Co-captain Teddy Guild was out for half of the season last year as well, due to another injury. Take note of senior Harry Scales, who suits up for his third starting season with the Patriots. With a talented senior squad to lead the way, Concord-Carlisle will have a better chance at staying in the running in the DCL small.

TYNGSBORO
Coach: Mike Woodlock (fifth year, 31-14).
Last year's record: 5-6.
Playing surface: Turf.
Football website
: ths.tyngsboroughps.org
Returning starters (7): Tom Sullivan, TB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Matt Polak, FB/LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Tom Toner, OT/DT, 6, 235, Sr.; Steve Chinetti, OG/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Wayne McGillicuddy, OT/DT, 5-11, 275, Sp.; Matt Donahoe, LB/TB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Connor O'Neill, TE/DE, 6, 190, Sr.
Returning letter winners (5): Jake Latif, FB/LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Colby Sutherland, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Michael Bodenrader, WR/DB, 6, 180, Sr.; Addison Lodendorf, OT/DE, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Logan Rohrbaugh, QB/DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Strength: Overall speed and depth of the skill positions..
Weakness: Overall inexperience.
Outlook: After the Tigers first year in the DCL last fall, Tyngsboro hopes to tally a winning record this season in the DCL small. 2007 DCL All-Star Tom Sullivan returns to the lineup as starting tailback and defensive back, with six other starters to complement his star power. Woodlock is more worried about a game-by-game strategy than he is about making it to the top of the league. "We still have to establish ourselves as a year-in year-out competitor before we start saying we're a competitor for the title," Woodlock said. Veteran wide receivers, running backs, linebackers, and defensive backs help to improve the skill of the team on the field.

WAYLAND
Coach: Scott Parseghian (eighth year, 55-25).
Last year's record: 10-2.
Playing surface: Turf.
Football website: waylandwarriors.com.
Returning starters (6): Elliot Sulkis, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Jeff Brewington, QB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Ethan Aaron, QB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Sean Haffey, OL/DL, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Chris Keeler, LB, 6, 180, Sr.; J.J. Pryzelyski, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.
Returning letter winners: Too many to list
Strength: Experience in the skill positions.
Concerns: Number of graduated seniors.
Outlook: The Warriors plan to use their extended pre-season to their advantage, preparing younger starters for what could be a grueling, competitive season. Wayland, who won the Thanksgiving tiebreaker last season between Lincoln-Sudbury and Acton-Boxboro, advanced to the playoffs but lost in the semifinals. Parseghian has faith in his younger squad, especially in his skill players, but he knows that rebuilding a league-winning crew will take time. "We're replacing a lot of guys all over the place," Parseghian said. Wayland's returning starters have worked hard and long in the off season to prepare for a year of defending their title.

WESTON
Coach: Bob Desaulniers (third year, returning after six years, seventh year overall, 114-78).
Last year's record: 6-5.
Playing surface: Grass.
Returning starters (8): Ed Blum, QB/CB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Joe Dell'Erario, RB/FS, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Jeff Gilchrist, C/LB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Kelvin Chui, DT, 5-10, 260; James Stratton, DT, 6, 225, Sr.; Jon Dieujuste, WR, 5-5, 135, Jr.; Zach Feldman, DE, 6-1, 250, Jr.; Clarence Johnson, OG, 5-11, 250, Jr.
Returning letter winners: Mikahail Cramer, RB/LB, 6, 185, Sr.; Tom Freeman, LB, 6, 175, Jr.; Elvin Johnson, OT, 6-2, 260, Sp.
Strength: Attitude work.
Concerns: Inexperience, depth, size.
Outlook: Ed Blum and Joe Dell'Erario are set to blaze the way for Weston's return to Dual County League play. Blum and Dell'Erario have been working together for the past two years, going into their third season paired as quarterback and running back on the offensive. Both players can play on either side, with Blum tacking on cornerback and Dell'Errario at free safety. Desaulniers touted returning starters Jeff Gilchrist, Jon Dieujuste, and Clarence Johnson as a trio to keep an eye out for this season. The Wildcats are eager to get on the field against new opponents and prove their worth after leaving behind Independent status. "If we can stay healthy, we'll be competitive," Desaulniers said. Weston welcomes back eight starters, giving a boost of experience to a young team.

Compiled by Emily Wright