Tag: Martin McElroy

Football: 2018 Davenport Division Preview

Davenport
Canton’s Gersom Rivera and the Bulldogs will try to compete for the Davenport title this season. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2018 Davenport Football Preview

Canton

2017 Record: 5-6
2017 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Dave Bohane

Key/Returning Players: Brendan Albert, Sr., HB/LB; Johnny Hagan, Jr., QB; Kyle Fitzgerald, Jr., HB/FS; Ben Seaman, Sr., OL/DL; Gersom Rivera, Jr., RB/HB; Jack Connolly, Jr., OL/DL; James Murphy, Jr., LB; Brian Campagna, Sr., OL/DL; David Allen, Jr.,SE/DB;

Outlook: After playing plenty of sophomores last season, the Bulldogs will be looking to boast a balanced, experienced team aiming to compete for the Davenport division title in 2018.

Canton brings back six starters on offense and seven starters back on the defensive side of the ball. The Dogs are one of the few teams with their starting quarterback returning as junior Johnny Hagan continues under center after a solid sophomore season. He showed the ability to pass and run with the ball, and he has almost all of his running back options back to work with. Gersom Rivera had a terrific sophomore year and will be counted on to be a big piece of the offense during 2018. Rivera’s athleticism and speed will be complemented by the hard nose running and blocking of junior Kyle Fitzgerald and senior Brendan Albert.

Junior Jack Connolly will anchor the offensive line and will be joined by senior Brian Campagna and junior Lucas Bryant at the center position. Ryan Lentol, who came on strong at the end of last year, picked up right where he left off and will be a top option at split end.

The strength of Canton’s defense is its linebacker group, which is full of experience and talent. Albert is back at one of the outside spots after earning Hock All Star last year while senior Ben Seaman is back on the other side. Junior James Murphy will fill in the middle after impressing last season and junior Robbie Gallery has impressed early on as the other inside option. Canton will also rely on a seasoned secondary with Fitzgerald and David Allen returning as starters. Ryan Colby should see time in the secondary and Owen Lehane is in the mix for the defensive line.

“We’re very excited for the season,” said Canton head coach Dave Bohane. “The kids have put the work in, we think we can play with anyone in the league but its a very good league so you have to be on your ‘A’ game every night. Every team is well coached and competitive so any time you can win in the Hock, its a success. We have to take it game by game, do the best we can, and keep plugging.

Foxboro

2017 Record: 5-6
2017 Finish: Reached D5 South Semifinal
Coach: Jack Martinelli

Key/Returning Players: Tom Cullen, Sr., OC; Andrew Longa, Sr., OT; Liam Foley, Sr., QB; Hunter Williams, Sr., OG/LB; Mike Luong, Sr., RB; Aidan Dow, Jr., OG; Shawn Teixeira, Sr., DT; Bill McNeil, Sr., DT; Martin McElroy, Sr., LB; Russell Neale, Sr., K; Pat Stapleton, Sr., SE;

Outlook: The Warriors are aiming to make it two straight years in the postseason and will use a mix of returning players and new faces to try and get it done.

Foxboro graduated 35 seniors last year so there are some spots that need to be filled, but the Warriors are off to a good start with Liam Foley back in the fold at quarterback. The senior saw time under center last season along with Devin Hassett. And Foley will be in good shape as the Warriors have a lot of experience on the offensive line. Senior Tom Cullen is back in the middle of the line as the center, senior Andrew Longa and sophomore Sean Ferguson take on the tackle positions, and senior Hunter Williams and junior Aidan Dow will fill out the interior of the line.

Mike Luong got touches as a junior out of the backfield last season and will be a main part of the offense this season. Pat Stapleton is a returning split end, classmate Rob Fay will step into the same role, and junior Shayne Kerrigan will a top target for Foley.

The Warriors have experience and good size up front on defense, led by returning starting tackles Shawn Teixeira (6’4, 260) and Bill McNeil (6’0, 265). Senior William Ogbebor and Anton George will be called upon to fill out the defensive line on the ends while Williams and Martin McElroy will be joined by Mike Sheehan at linebacker. Russell Neale is back as the place kicker after a strong junior season.

Milford

2017 Record: 5-6
2017 Finish: Reached D3 South Quarterfinals
Coach: Anthony Vizakis

Key/Returning Players: Brendan White, Sr., WR/S; Ryan Pearl, Sr., QB; Josh Ligor, Sr., OL/DL; Kevin Pyne, Sr., OL/DL; Hugo Lopes, Sr., RB/S; Shapel Feaster, Sr., WR/CB; Sean Lehane, Sr., WR/K; Colby Pires, Jr., QB; Luke Rosa, Jr., RB/LB; CJ Cerella, Jr., OL/LB;

Outlook: After reaching the quarterfinals last season, the 2018 version of the Scarlet Hawks are aiming for a deeper run into the postseason. And not just that, the Hawks are looking to be serious contenders for the Davenport crown.

Milford has a strong core of returning players back, a group of eager new faces looking to make an impression, and big new piece on the line. Kevin Pyne (6’8, 280) transferred to his hometown high school and will anchor what looks to be a big, physical line. Pyne is rated as the top recruit for his class and holds D1 offers from over a dozen schools including Notre Dame and Michigan. Senior Josh Ligor returns as a starter on the line while sophomore Nick Yohn will also be a two-way lineman.

The Hawks bring back both their quarterbacks: senior Ryan Pearl handled the team’s ‘WAR’ package while junior Colby Pires stepped in when Milford spread it out. Junior Luke Rosa will step in as an option at halfback along with sophomore Dominic Schofield. Brendan White (WR/S) brings toughness to both sides of the ball for the Hawks.

Shapel Feaster is one of the most experienced defensive backs in the Hockomock League and should be an important piece of the 2018 Hawks’ defense. Junior CJ Cerella will step in to anchor the linebacking group. On special teams, Sean Lehane is one of the strongest kickers in the area and will try to give Milford a spark at wide receiver this season.

“The goal of the 2018 football season for the Milford Scarlet Hawks is simple: start fast, play physical, and be the toughest team on the field on Friday nights,” said Milford head coach Anthony Vizakis.

North Attleboro

2017 Record: 11-2 (Davenport Division Champions)
2017 Finish: Reached D3 State Final
Coach: Don Johnson

Key/Returning Players: Ryan Clemente, Sr., OL/DL; Nicholas Raneri, Sr., QB/RB/LB; Jonathan James, Jr., OL/DL; Jack Puccio, Sr., OL/DL; Brendan McHugh, Sr., RB/DB; Omar Jasseh, Sr., SE/DB; Ryan Gaumond, Sr., SE/DB; Ryan Boyle, Sr., RB/DB;

Outlook: The target on North Attleboro’s back continues to grow. Coming off their third straight league title, including two straight Davenport titles, the Rocketeers made it all the way to the D3 State Final before falling, 35-33, to St. John’s Shrewsbury.

Big Red is hopeful it can continue its string of success but knows it will be tested with a difficult schedule, including a non-league game with two-time defending state champion King Philip. The biggest challenge will be finding a replacement for three-year starter Chad Peterson, who graduated with a handful of program records and three Hock titles as the starter. Seniors Nick Raneri and Luke LaBonte are both in the mix, and both saw time last year throughout the season. Raneri started all 13 games at tailback but also filled in at QB at times.

Whoever ends up getting the nod at quarterback will have one of the best offensive linemen in the entire state with senior Ryan Clemente anchoring the protection unit. Clemente is joined by senior Jack Puccio as returning starters on the line while seniors Joe Larkin and John Nally, and juniors John Kummer, Ethan Friberg, Trevor Hewitt, Montrel Jackson, and Ethan Mottinger are all competing for time. The Rocketeers also have solid skill options back with senior Brendan McHugh (14 total touchdowns) back at the starting slot back. Omar Jasseh offers size and speed at split end while Ryan Gaumond’s quickness gives the Rocketeers another option down field.

North Attleboro returns six starters on the defensive end, including McHugh, Gaumond, and Jasseh in the secondary. Clemente will be a big piece of the defensive line while Raneri and captain Jonathan James, who will also see time at tight end, will lead the linebacker unit. Russell Dunlap, Puccio, Mike Carty, Friberg and Jackson are all in the mix for defensive end spots while Ryan Boyle, Tom O’Neill, Duane Bryant, and Owen Harding are competing for time at linebacker.

“We expect a very challenging schedule, opening with KP on our new turf field and then an improved Bishop Feehan team in Week 2,” said North Attleboro head coach Don Johnson. “The Davenport division will be extremely competitive this year, with several teams able to beat anyone on any given night. We have a nice core, but if we are going to compete at a championship level, then we are going to need several new faces to mature very quickly. There’s a lot of work still to be done, and not a lot of time to do it.”

Sharon

2017 Record: 6-5
2017 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Dave Morse

Key/Returning Players: Chris Gong, Sr., WR/DB/KOR; Coleman Loftus, Sr., OL/DL; Aaron Strong, Sr., RB/DB; Jeremy Ruskin, Sr., QB; Alec Filipkowski, Jr., WR/DB/KOR; PJ McManus, Jr., WR; Kiran Chandrasekaran, Jr., DB; Nic Marrero, Jr., LB;

Outlook: For the first time in Sharon, there will be football on Friday nights.

With the installation of lights at the high school field, the Eagles will be hosting teams on Friday nights instead of Saturday afternoons. And the 2018 Eagles are hoping to put a show under those lights. Sharon brings back a handful of key returning starters on both sides of the ball, and with one more year experience under their belts, will be looking to compete in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons top to bottom in the Davenport.

Sharon averaged nearly 20 points per game in its six non-league games last year and is hoping to carry that over into Davenport play this season. Senior quarterback Jeremy Ruskin (six total touchdowns) is back under center to lead the offense and last year’s starting running back Aaron Strong (three touchdowns) also returns to give the Eagles a solid 1-2 punch on offense right away. Coleman Loftus’ size and strength will be a vital part of the line on both sides of the ball while Chris Gong and Alec Filipkowski return as Ruskin’s main two targets.

Not only goes Gong give Sharon options on offense because of his speed, he is one of the most dangerous kick returners in the state. He had an 80-yard punt return touchdown and a 99-yard kickoff return last season so opposing special team units will have to pay a lot of attention.

Despite the numbers, the Eagles had a strong defense last season. This season, Sharon boasts a lot of speed (on both sides of the ball) and is looking to use that to be more aggressive. Juniors Kiran Chandrasekaran will step in to be a big part of the secondary while classmate Nic Marrero will be relied on to anchor the linebackers.

“With a lot of returning starters and a sprinkle of new talent, I am expecting this team to take a huge step forward from last year’s inexperienced team,” said Sharon head coach Dave Morse.

Stoughton

2017 Record: 6-5
2015 Finish: Reached D3 South Semifinal
Coach: Greg Burke

Key/Returning Players: Jeff Grier, Sr., RB/DB; Cian Swierzewski, Sr., WR/SS; Alex Iverson, Sr., RB/LB; George Currier, Jr., QB; Matt Piana, Sr., OL/DL; Ajahn Rue, Jr., WR/DB; Josh Cocchi, Sr., CB/K; Ali Awad, Sr., OL/DL; Evan Jackman, Sr., OL/DL; Frank Derbes, Sr., TE/DL; Malachi Green-Hightower, Sr., RB/LB; John Burke, Soph., QB;

Outlook: It feels like a fresh start for the Black Knights after graduating a bunch of players that had multiple seasons of experience under their belts.

But the focus remains the same for the Black Knights, who are aiming to be in contention for the Davenport title and make another appearance in the state tournament. Similar to previous seasons, Stoughton will have talent in the backfield and that will be the focal point of the offense. Jeff Grier is one of the fastest players in the league and will make defenses pay when there is space. Alex Iverson is a shifty option out of the backfield, Malachi Green-Hightower brings power to the run game, and sophomore Chris Ais could emerge as a playmaker for the Black Knights.

Junior George Currier and sophomore John Burke will battle it out for the starting quarterback position while Matt Piana, Ali Awad, and Evan Jackman have solidified spots on the offensive line. Frank Derbes will factor into the offense as a tight end and junior Ajahn Rue is back as a receiver.

Defensively, Iverson and Green-Hightower will be right in the heart of the lineup as linebackers while Grier will help as a member of the secondary. Cian Swierzewski has impressed throughout the offseason and the preseason and will be a key piece of the defense from the safety spot. Stoughton is looking for other names to step up and help anchor its hard nose defense.

North Attleboro Edges Foxboro In Key Davenport Clash

North Attleboro football
Foxboro quarterback Devin Hassett (10) is pressured by North Attleboro’s Marc Burns (74) in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
 
ByRyanLanigan_2016FollowRyanLanigan_2016
 
 
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – It should be no surprise that a battle between two of the top teams in the Hockomock League came down to just a handful of big plays.

North Attleboro ended up on the fortunate side of the final big play, holding on for a close 14-13 win over visiting Foxboro to take sole place of the Davenport division with two games to play.

It looked as though the Rocketeers had a chance to finish the game when Mario Bresko came up with an interception with 2:57 to play and a seven point lead. But Foxboro’s no-quit attitude helped the Warriors force a quick three and out and get the ball back with 2:20 to play.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Starting at the North Attleboro 35-yard line, Foxboro quickly moved into the red zone. A pass from Devin Hassett (9/17, 88 yards, two touchdowns) to Jack O’Donnell and a QB keeper moved the chains. Hassett found O’Donnell for 10-yards and then Anthony Capachietti (14 carries, 65 yards) moved the chains again with a seven-yard burst.

Facing third and goal from the five, the snap was bobbled and North Attleboro’s Sam Bullock and Geoff Wilson swarmed for an eight-yard sack. The Warriors had just one play left – 4th and goal from the 13-yard line – with 18 seconds to play.

Hassett fired over the middle, connecting with O’Donnell on the slant. It looked as though North had him stopped just before the goal line, but the senior dove forward, stretching out the ball across the goal line for a touchdown to make it 14-13 with 0:10 to play.

However, Foxboro’s connection between snap and hold was just off, forcing the extra point kick to be low and into the line, giving the Rocketeers a one-point win.

“I’m really proud of the effort of the kids,” said North Attleboro head coach Don Johnson. “We hung tough and made some plays. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to call us good yet, that was your word. Foxboro was a good team though, I know that.

“I think on both sides of the ball we just had a lot of kids who hung tough and didn’t crumble under the pressure. They worked their asses off, some of those guys playing both ways, especially inside. They hung tough and didn’t give it an inch.”

North Attleboro took the lead on the possession prior to Bresko’s interception. It was the second time that the Rocketeers ran 10-plays in a series (the other time was in the second quarter that also resulted in a touchdown). This series was the longest drive of the game for Big Red, spanning 73-yards.

It looked as though the drive was going to stall early when Foxboro’s Martin McElroy blew up a second down run. Facing 3rd and 13 from their own 24-yard line, North quarterback Chad Peterson (9/11, 110 yards, two touchdowns) was flanked out to the right and hit Brendan McHugh (16 carries, 54 yards, four receptions, 76 yards) right at the first down marker to move the chains.

McHugh then rattled off runs of seven, four and nine yards before Nick Raneri (11 carries, 36 yards) moved the chains with a three-yard burst up the middle. Three plays later, North was faced with 3rd and six at the 36-yard line.

Peterson dropped back to pass, firing to his left as McHugh came towards him. Nolan Buckley, who was lined up in the slot, turned out wide to start and then came up with a perfectly timed block when McHugh hauled in the pass. The junior was able to break a tackle up field and scampered his way for a 36-yard score. Wilson’s extra point made it 14-7 with 4:43 to play.

Foxboro had a strong start to the game. They forced a turnover on downs when North Attleboro’s fake punt from its own 40-yard line fell incomplete. Seven plays later, the Warriors were in the end zone when Hassett hit Jake Addeche (four receptions, 35 yards) on a seam route up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

North Attleboro tied the game on its first drive of the second quarter. The drive spanned 61 yards on 10 plays, with the Rocketeers getting into the end zone with less than a minute to play in the first half. On second and goal from the seven, Peterson hit Raneri out of the backfield and he muscled his way into the end zone to make it 7-7.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Big Red’s defense was at its best in the second and third quarters, forcing Foxboro to punt on all four of its drives in those two quarters. Foxboro had moved towards the red zone but on second down, Zach DeMattio and Jason McNeany forced a 10-yard loss on a sack and the Warriors had to punt two downs later.

In an early drive in the fourth quarter, Foxboro had a second down at the North 30-yard line, but Bullock’s sack dropped the Warriors back 15-yards. Pressure from Adam Eberle and Wilson on third down forced an incompletion and Foxboro once again had to punt.

“I think the defense really stepped up and did a good job,” Johnson said. “But even when you think you have them buried on that third or fourth down, they stepped up to make a play, they have some good players.”

North also had an early third quarter drive stalled when Addeche and Louis Piccolo forced a fumble after a completion. Big Red had to punt on its next drive as well after getting just two yards in three plays.

“We had a hard time handling Foxboro up front,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of negative yards or negative plays in the run game. They really crowded the line scrimmage, they were flying to the football and just matching up man-to-man with everybody else. That’s a situation where you have to get a body on a body and block everybody and we were losing some one-on-one battles.”

North Attleboro football (4-1 overall, 3-0 Davenport) now moves into a position to clinch a league share with a win next week when it travels to Stonehill College to take on Stoughton. The Rocketeers have a chance to clinch a share of their third straight league title. The last time North Attleboro did that was 1997-1999.

“We made a reference that a win tonight would put us in the position to be playing for a share of a championship.

“[A three-peat] hasn’t happened too many times so there is a lot of incentive there. The problem is that the other team is pretty good too. I think Stoughton is going to be just like Foxboro, it’s going to be a battle.”

Foxboro (3-2, 2-1) will look to bounce back when it hits the road to take on Milford next Friday.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.