Boston South football capsules

BRIGHTON
Coach: James Philip (12th year, 30-68-2).
Last year's record: 10-0.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: boston.k12.ma.us/brighton/athletics.asp
Returning starters (4): Miguel Pena, NT, Sr.; Isaiah Long, RB-LB, Sr.; Corey Mayo, RB, Sr.; Schneyder Metellus, TE-DE, Sr.
Returning letter winners (3): Yzes Augustin, RB-LB, Sr.; Kenny Jean, QB-DE, Jr; Meterson Prezilme, DE-LB, Jr.
Strength: Championship pedigree.
Concern: Inexperience
Outlook: How do you replace quarterback Kameel Lashley's 16 touchdowns or linebacker Kariym Azeez's 159 tackles? Well, you can't, but, as Coach Philips says, ''We still have to put 11 men on the field.'' With only four returning starters and little experience on the offensive line, don't pencil Brighton in for another perfect season. After a recent scrimmage, Philip said his linemen ''stuck it out,'' playing hard on both sides of the ball. ''I was impressed with their heart and their willingness to pull together.'' The Bengals lose all three league and division all-stars - Dane Daguilar being the third - and will have to scrap their way back to the top of the heap. However, as Coach Philip will tell you, there may be no team better equipped to do so. About his reigning champions, a team that in 2004 went 0-9, Philip said "We got heart."

BURKE
Coach: John Rice (eighth year, 27-50).
Last year's record: 1-8.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: boston.k12.ma.us/burke/football.htm
Returning starters (9): Antoine Pierre-Canal, LB-FB, Sr.; Brandon Cook, LB-WR, Sr.; Chris Shelton, LB-TE, So.; Javon Caldwell, OL-DL, Sr.; Dewayne Whyte, OL-DL, Sr.; Winfred Pierre, OL-DL, Jr.; Raymond Kirkland, DB-RB, Sr.; Eric Brown, WR-DB, Jr.; Miseal Carrasquilo, RB-DB, Sr.
Returning letter winners (2): Danielson Goncalves, DB-WR, Sr.; Lenford Coote, LB-TE.
Strengths: Experience, skill positions, and line.
Concern: Playing a strong full season.
Outlook: Rice's goal if for his team to start the season strong and end the season strong, something it hasn't been able to do for a while. The Bulldogs will get a good push up front from their three returning 290-pound-plus linemen and help at skill positions from their 2007 league all-stars, wideout Antoine Pierre Canal and fullback Brandon Cook. The program has only four wins in the last three seasons, but its successful past is not a distant memory for Rice, who hopes his players will get a physical boost by having access to a weight room for the first time.

DORCHESTER
Coach: Rich Moran (fourth year, 10-17).
Last year's record: 7-2.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: boston.k12.ma.us/Dorchester/athletics.htm
Returning starters (9): Xavier Borrero, LB, Sr.; Eric Parish, DB, Jr.; Dester Flores, T, Jr.; Nate Jones, LB, Sr.; Guerby Lauguerre, G, Sr.; Omar Cepeda, TE-LB, Sr.; Beethoven Laguerre, C-DT, Jr.; Evan Montero, G, Sr.; Justin Mack, T-LB, Jr.
Returning letter winners (8): Xavier Borrero, LB, Sr.; Eric Parish, DB, Jr.; Dester Flores, T, Jr.; Nate Jones, LB, Sr.; Guerby Lauguerre, G, Sr.; Omar Cepeda, TE-LB, Sr.; Beethoven Laguerre, C-DT, Jr.; Evan Montero, G, Sr.; Justin Mack, T-LB, Jr.
Strengths: Speed, upside.
Concern: Inexperience at QB and OL, depth.
Outlook: Dorchester will miss Eric Lott and his 16 touchdowns, but the Bears have size and speed. Moran's team bulked up on the end of the line when basketball players Chris Lovett (6 foot 4 inches, 225 pounds) and Shaun Stanisluf (6-5, 220) joined the team as tight ends. Stanisluf has great hands, according to his coach, and JV experience, but it will be a growing process for the player, as it will be for the entire Bears team. ''We're very green," Moran said. ''If we can get them to understand the game a little, then we'll be OK.'' Moran also said that he would like to see more participation, which plagues many small schools, but said that he may get some players back who are returning from vacations. While the team has upside, growing pains are usually in the cards for young teams. For that reason, Moran scheduled three pre-season scrimmages, against Pope John, South Boston and Hyde Park in a jamboree, and Boston English, all in an effort to try to get his line prepped for play this season. "You have to be able to scheme block and communicate." he said.

HYDE PARK
Coach: Adilson Cardoso (first year).
Last year's record: 0-9.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website:
Returning starters (6): Jean Raphael, RB-CB, Jr.; Sean Smith, QB-LB, Jr.; Tyrone Jones, WR-LB, Sr.; Mailckely Labathe, OL-DL, Jr.; Michael Mark, OL-DL, So.; Joshua Donald, NT-WR, Jr.
Returning letter winners ():
Strength: Good turnout.
Concern: Ability to compete.
Outlook: Since 2005, the Blue Stars have had as many wins as head coaches - three. Hyde Park averaged only 2 points per game last year, worst in the state. For all the futility, coach Cardoso, a former assistant at Dorchester and Hyde Park, brings a winning attitude to his club. "We might surprise some people this year," he said, saying his players are excited about the season. Sean Smith, a junior converted from the offensive line, comes back under center and is now built more like a passer than a blocker. ''He came back real slim and working out,'' Cardoso said. The first year coach also feels good about his coaching staff and the unit acknowledges the program's struggles. "It's time to turn things around," the coach said.

LATIN ACADEMY
Coach: Rocco Zizza (first year).
Last year's record: 2-9.
Playing surface: Grass.
Football website: boston.k12.ma.us/BLA/football.htm
Returning starters (12): Steven Charles, RB-CB, Sr.; Charles Clemens, RB-S, Sr.; Sean Devlin, LB-G, Jr.; Denzel Duncan, FB, Sr.; Edeiko Elysee, LB, Jr.; Murat Emmanuel, C, So.; Dario Kantardzic, G-LB, Jr.; Joshua Lon-Mella, S, Sr.; Kuong Nguyen, RB, Jr.; Ricardo Valles, TE, Sr.; Denzel Vetiac, S, Sr.; Warsame Yusuf, DE, Sr.
Returning letter winners (4): Abasiama Effien, RB, Jr.; Luke Grochowski, QB, Sr.; Vladimir Guerrero, LB, Sr.; Steven Fapienza, K, Jr.
Strengths: Good numbers, depth.
Concern: Experience at skill positions.
Outlook: Former Latin Academy assistant coach Zizza takes over a young squad that has taken its lumps in recent seasons. ''We should be very competitive,'' he said. The team returns several runners who are maturing at the same time. The coach reported 55 kids came into camp and said the group is in high spirits. ''They've been positive and everybody came in shape,'' he said. ''They look like they're ready.'' With Brighton returning few players, the Boston South is up for grabs and the Dragons hope the early bird gets the worm.

O'BRYANT
Coach: Kevin Gadson (first year).
Last year's record: 5-6.
Playing surface: Artificial turf.
Football website: MIAA.net
Returning starters (10): Peter Ramirez, OL-DL, Sr.; Julius White, WR-DB, Sr.; Chris Perkins, RB-DB, Sr.; Ray Moss, OL-LB, Sr.; Rogelio Rivas, OL-DL, Sr.; Jonathan Cardoso, LB, Sr.; Daniel Garcia, OL-DL, Sr.; Josh Carrington, QB, Sr.; David Maloney, WR-LB, Sr.; Jean Lotin, WR-LB, Sr.
Returning letter winners (0):
Strength: Experience, team leadership.
Concern: Lack of size.
Outlook: The Tigers return 10 starters. Josh Carrington returns as starting quarterback and will have options out the backfield. O'Bryant wasn't a superior scoring team last season, putting only 13.4 points per game on the board, so Gadson will have to bring more offensive success to the program in his first year. Size was the primary concern for the Tigers' coaching staff, but the team does have a wealth of experience.

COMPILED BY DAVE CARTY