Commonwealth Large football capsules

GREATER LAWRENCE
Coach: Tony Sarkis (fourth year, 21-22).
Last year's record: 12-1.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (7): Chris Rocker, WR/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Saul Orellana, CB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Brian Rivera, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Kevin Fritschy, OT, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Angel Rivera, LB, 5-8, 190, Jr.; Luis Veras, OT, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Juan Olivo, DT, 6-2, 260, Jr.
Returning letter winners (12): Luis Ruiz, QB/CB, Sr.; Wadscar Gomez, RB/LB, Sr.; Angelo Ocasio, FB/LB, Sr.; Andrew Laureano, FB, Sr.; Boaz Roche, WR/LB, Sr.; Brendan O'Neil, RB/CB, Jr.; Rosaire LeBlanc, WR/CB, Sr.; Randy Veras, WR/S, Jr.; Billy Morrase, G/DE, Sr.; Randall Gegliotti, OG/DT, Jr.; Nelson Ramos, DT/OT, Jr.; Eric Notenboom, DE/OE, Sr.
Strength: Defense.
Concerns: Offense.
Outlook: The Reggies lose all but two starters from last year's Division 3A championship team, including the sensational Nate Adames, the 3A Player of the Year and holder of numerous Greater Lawrence rushing records. How to offset the loss of all those starters, plus Adames's EMass-best 37 TDs and 2,570 yards? ''You can't,'' said Sarkis, so the Reggies will restructure things by using the spread to air it out more often. ''We're strong defensively. The offense needs to catch up.'' That offense average 30 ppg last fall.

GREATER LOWELL
Coach: Dennis Murphy (27th year, 177-86-3).
Last year's record: 4-7.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (6): Mike Gregory, OT, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Billy Fuller, RB, 5-8, 180, Jr; Matt Bahou, RB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Chris Puzzo, RB, 5-10,165, Jr.; Justin Quadros, LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Robert Scott, TE, 6-2, 250, Sr.
Returning letter winners (15): All starters and Greg Balamotis, QB, Jr.; Shawn Christman, G, Sr.; Dan Espinola, OT, Sr.; Leo Falardeau, QB, Sr.; Colton Hale-Boucher, HB/DB, Sr.; Jon Hickey, FB/LB, Jr.; Andy Marais, RB, Sr.; Kyle Raymond, LB, Sr.; Steve Therriault, C, Sr.; Chris Pousland, QB/DB, Jr.
Strength: Young talent.
Concerns: Quarterback.
Outlook: Greater Lowell's roster is talented but inexperienced. They'll have to find a quarterback, as senior Leo Falardeau faces competition from juniors Greg Balamotis and Chris Pousland for snaps. Whoever emerges will enjoy protection from senior lineman Mike Gregory and tight end Robert Scott, while handing off to senior Billy Fuller and juniors Chris Puzzo and Matt Bahou. But Murphy notes that the learning curve could be steep for the Gryphons. ''They're playing at a level they're not used to from playing JV,'' he said.

LYNN TECH
Coach: Gary Sverker (17th year, 82-83-3).
Last year's record: 6-3.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: MIAA.net.
Returning starters (6): Lorenzo Rivera, OT/DL, 6-1, 275, Sr.; James Bazile, OT/DL, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Anthony Gallo, OG/LB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Mario Bazile, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Anthony Coleman, RB/LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Josh Cheever, OT/DL, 6-3, 220, So.
Returning letter winners (17): All starters and Jordan Rucker, QB/DB, Sr; Dustin Rooney, QB/DB, Jr.; Tyler Sewell, C/DL, Jr.; Robert Casey, OG/LB, Sr.; Antonio Jimenez, TE/LB, Soph.; Richie Warren, QB/DB, Soph.; Sunny Yom, RB/LB, Jr.; Tim Chheang, OG/DL, Sr.; Steven Caisse, RB/DB, Jr.; Chris Butler, OT/DL, Soph.; Joe Brady, DE/LB, Jr.
Strength: Young core.
Concerns: Line depth.
Outlook: The strong leadership capabilities of returning senior quarterback Jose Rios could be the key factor in improving on last season's 6-3 mark.''We've got a great cast of returning seniors and who don't want to end there careers like last year's seniors did,'' said Sverker of the team that lost three of its last four games. ''It starts with our quarterback and spreads down to every single player on this football team.'' Senior running back John Jones' speed opens up a big-play threat with every hand off. Special teams play will need improvement, especially on kick coverage. More off-season commitment from players in the form of conditioning should aid in turning things around.

SHAWSHEEN
Coach: Al Costabile (17th year, 106-64).
Last year's record: 9-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website:MIAA.net.
Returning starters (4): Shaun Miller, R/DB, 5-6, 150, Sr.; Mike Allen, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Cory Foss, TB, 5-7, 135, Jr.; Ryan Smith, NG, 5-6, 225, Sr.
Returning letter winners (3): Jason Baker, RB/DB, Sr.; Andrew Companeschi, TE/DE, Jr.; Nick Danas, PK, Jr.
Strength: Work ethic and enthusiasm.
Concerns: Lack of varsity experience.
Outlook: The two-time defending vocational Super Bowl champs graduate their entire offensive line, plus three-year starting quarterback Joe Gore, who heads to UMass-Lowell to play basketball. Last year's backup, Shaun Miller, and junior Kevin White will battle for the vacancy. ''They both had great scrimmages, so they're neck-and-neck for the job,'' said Costabile. Because of the amount of open spots, Costabile notes, the Rams have had an excellent camp. Look for them to have a balanced run-pass ratio and throw out different looks offensively.

WHITTIER
Coach: Kevin Bradley (eighth year, 54-24).
Last year's record: 5-6.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: MIAA.net
Returning starters (5): Bryan Trickett, RB/LB, 6-1, 191, Sr.; Corey Chabuz, OL/DL, 6-4, 266, Sr.; Don Leighton, RB/DB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Frank Carr, OL/DL, 6-2, 241, Jr.; Nate Allen, RB/LB, 5-11, 226, Jr.
Returning letter winners (28): A.J. Brown, RB/DB, Jr.; Allen Gosselin, RB/DB, Sr.; Anthony Hughes, OL/DL, Jr.; Carlos Candelario, RB/DB, Sr.; Chris Affanto, RB/LB, Jr.; Christian Garrity, RB/DB, Sr.; Connor Henery, OL/DL, Jr.; Corey Rooney, RB/DB, Jr.; Frank Muraco, OL/LB, Sr.; Gabe Joe, OL/DL, Sr.; James Witkum, RB/LB, Jr.; Jarred Traub, OL/DL, Jr.; Jeff Magee, TE/LB, Jr.; Jeremy Bell, RB/DB, Jr.; Josh Oliver, TE/LB, Sr.; Kobie Green-Jackson, RB/DB, Jr.; Louis Woodward, OL/DL, Sr.; Mark Cappetta, OL/DL, Jr.; Matt Burke, QB/LB, Sr.; Mike Brown, OL/DL, Sr.; Nate Buck, RB/LB, Sr.; Nick Deveau, OL/DL, Sr.; Nick Ferreira, RB/LB, Jr.
Strength: Running backs, offensive and defensive lines.
Weakness: Inexperience.
Outlook: Whittier begins the season in search of senior leadership. With only five returning starters the Wildcats will look to their core of juniors and sophomores to the lead the way. After a season away from the Super Bowl spotlight, Whittier will look to be back in the hunt this season. Never a team that's shy to run, Bradley believes that his solid core of running backs will make for a physical running game. ''We're going to try to run them over, just push them to the side.'' Senior Bryan Trickett will look to add to his total yardage from last year. After a rebuilding season the team hopes to regain footing in the Commonwealth Large. ''With strong leadership we can make some noise and put together a decent season,'' said Bradley.

COMPILED BY JESSICA HINES