It’s the unpredictable nature of Division II that makes it one of my favorite divisions to cover, in any sport.

 Lower seeds like Bow in 2016 & 2017 and Hollis-Brookline (a 5-seed) and Plymouth (a 6-seed) in 2019 have all made runs to UNH in the past four seasons and every year there are very good teams left out of the 8-team playoffs.

 What you love about this division is what you cannot see coming and in 2020 there are a whole new set of unknowns no high school teams have been asked to face in the last 50 years.

“The new normal is that very little is normal anymore,” said head coach Chris Lones of defending champion Hollis-Brookline. “The kids have less time to practice and the coaches have far more responsibilities with the new guidelines. You know what though; everyone is happy to be out there and excited to compete again. At the end of the day you focus on that.”

 “The kids’ practice every day like it might be the last practice they ever have,” said Gilford-Belmont head coach Josh Marzahl. “Are we optimistic? Yes, but you just never know so you appreciate every moment of it.”

 Souhegan head coach Robin Bowkett was one of a large group of coaches who agreed.

“The effort and the attitudes toward practice have been better this year. The kids are coming in ready to work and the coaches are excited to get to work every day. That’s a direct reflection on the understanding that it can all get taken away. The kids are so excited to be playing sports again and we want it to last for as long as possible, hopefully all the way to UNH.”

 “The kids have been great in adjusting,” said Plymouth head coach Chris Sanborn. “They are smart enough to understand the stakes and they want to see this season through. It’s going to feel different at times but at the end of the day it’s football and in this division any team is capable of being there in the end.”

 Who gets there in the end has proven impossible to predict but today we will tell who the favorites are to be the final two team’s standing in November.

 The 2020 playoff format is that every team will make the playoffs after 5 regular season games, with the 8 and 9 seeded teams playing in the final week of the regular season to determine who faces the top seed. Call it the Division II version of the play-in game.

 The bracket will end with the champion from the East playing the champion from the West for the Division II crown.

 This weekend we will be out at two Division II games:

 Spencer Coronis, Ian Melewski and I will be in Amherst Friday night when Souhegan hosts rival Hollis-Brookline.

 On Saturday afternoon ‘The Franchise’ Jennifer Chick-Ruth and I will be in Bow when the Falcons take on Hillsborough-Deering-Hopkinton.

 Today’s Division II preview is brought to you by our friends and partners at Core Physicians! With over 25 locations on the seacoast of New Hampshire.

 

 East Predicted order

1. Plymouth
2. Kennett
3. Timberlane
4. Gilford-Belmont
5. St. Thomas
6. Pembroke Academy
7. Merrimack Valley
8. Sanborn
9. Kingswood

 Last year was supposed to be a down year for the 26-time champion Plymouth Bobcats but there they were on a windy & rainy afternoon in Durham last November as one of the last two teams in Division II.

 The Bobcats lost to Hollis-Brookline 24-13 but a funny thing happens when you get to the championship game a year early. You begin the next season as the favorite.

 “We gained a lot of experience with the run we made last season,” said head coach Chris Sanborn, who’s team beat Pelham and Alvirne on the way to Durham. “Mid-way through last season there was no way you could have convinced me that we would make it back to UNH (after back to back titles in 2017 & 2018) but the kids really came together.”

 This is a Plymouth team capable of putting up big offensive numbers but it might be the other side of the ball where the strength of the team resides. “We have a chance to have a very good defense because of the balance we have on that unit.”

 Plymouth 2019 team page

 Cole Johnston, Joe D’Ambruoso and Ian Tryder all return at linebacker while defensive end Trevan Sanborn returns after suffering an injury at the end of last season. He will be joined at DE by another returning starter, Trent Sargent and Sean Griffiths. “That group has come together nicely in the pre-season and has a chance to be very solid for us this season.”

 Jeff Lyford and Eddie Camp will anchor both sides of the line while Kolby Cross, Charlie Comeau, Cal Swanson and Cody Bannon will lead the Bobcats secondary.

 Bannon will again start at quarterback and has shown the ability to not only run the Bobcat offense but come up with big throws when they need it. “He played so well for us in the playoffs that I think you’ll see that confidence carry over,” said Sanborn.

 Joe D’Ambruoso returns at running back after an all-state campaign as a junior and will be joined in the backfield by Cole Johnston, who moves to wingback from tight end.

 Griffiths will play tackle alongside Sargent and Camp at the guard spots. Tyler Stokowski will step into a starting role on the line after being a back-up a year ago. “Tyler started for us in the (playoff win at) Pelham game a year ago and played well.”

 The center spot is still being contested for with Ezra Letourneau and sophomore Caden Sanborn battling for the starting job. “It’s going to be a different kind of season, certainly a shorter one, for everyone. It’s harder to get a gauge for where you are at going into the season because you can’t scrimmage anyone but we will lean on our experience and hope to improve week to week.”

 A year after a quarterfinal playoff loss to eventual champion Hollis-Brookline Vaughn Beckwith’s Kennett Eagles should pose the biggest threat to Plymouth in the East.

 “We have a lot of returning players and we’ve had a good pre-season,” said Beckwith. “We’ve gotten bigger as a team and when you start with a quarterback who has played well in big games that brings a lot of confidence to the entire team.”

 Parker Coleman put together an all-state campaign a year ago and has looked every bit the part of a player of the year candidate in the pre-season. “He’s a very talented player and his confidence has really grown. Parker is a terrific leader and he’s been throwing the ball very well in the pre-season.”

 Kennett 2019 team page

 Tanner Bennett will step into a bigger role in the backfield while Kyle Perry, Noah Barrows and Cole Salyards will all get carries from the wing position. “That’s a group we like a lot,” said Beckwith of his running backs. “We have a lot of depth at that position.”

 Gaven Gagne has the potential to have an all-state season at tight end while Isaiah Scharnowske and Atticus Fayle will contribute right away at wide receiver.

 All five offensive lineman started games a year ago and that group will be led by all-state performer Bobby Graustein, Braden Satuccio, Heath Woodward, Cody Eastman and Kyle Stearns, younger brother of former all-state standout Jacob Stearns.

 “We should be very tough on the offensive line,” said Beckwith. “It’s a smart and hard working group.”

 Defensively the Eagles will be led by Graustein & Evan Croski at defensive end, leading tackler Gaven Gagne at linebacker and returning standout (LB) Kyle Perry. Tanner Bennett will play linebacker as well in front of a secondary led by Noah Barrow, Scharnowske and Salyards.

 “It’s been a challenging off-season for everyone but the kids are really excited to play and so are the coaches. We’re ready to go.”

 Kevin Fitzgerald’s Timberlane Owls come to Division II with a very young roster that is set up to make a title run in the next three seasons.

 The question for today is how does that translate in Year 1?

 “We have a very good group of sophomores but also some pretty good balance across the roster,” said Fitzgerald. “We have a group of nine seniors who have been very dedicated to the program and who will all contribute for us.”

 “It’s going to come down to how the younger group develops over the course of the season. We had a great summer of workouts and our numbers are good but this is a very tough division and we know how tough it’s going to be to win week to week.”

 Sophomore quarterback Dominic Coppetta is a big part of that youth movement. “He’s a good athlete with some size,” said Fitzgerald. “He’s still developing as a QB but has been working with (former all-state QB Dan Hayes) and has made improvements during the off-season.”

 Timberlane 2019 team page

 Junior Dominic Pallaria and sophomore Dan Post will get the bulk of the carries in the Owls backfield while WR/TE Bob Olsen gives the team a big/athletic receiver with good hands. Ethan Stewart will contribute right away at both wide receiver and cornerback.

 6’4 280 lb. Nick Matthews is set up for an all-state season anchoring the offensive line while the defense will be led by Cooper Kelley, Jaiden Lee, Devon Simmons and Matthews on the defensive line.

 Caleb Vlack will lead the Timberlane secondary.

 “We open the season at Plymouth. That will be a great opportunity to see where we stack up against one of the best programs in the state,” said Fitzgerald. “From the players to the coaches everyone is really excited to start playing football again.”

 Gilford-Belmont continued it’s climb up the standings a year ago but it ultimately was a disappointing season for a team that set their first ever playoff appearance in Division II as their goal.

 21 seniors return for Josh Marzahl’s team and though the new playoff format makes the playoffs a given, this is a team that wants to stick around once the post-season begins.  “We didn’t finish out games a year ago and that’s what cost us a playoff spot,” said Marzahl. “We had three games that we could have won late and we didn’t close them out. That’s the focus now; closing out close games.”

 Gilford-Belmont lost games in which they had the ball at the 2-yard line against Merrimack Valley and the 3-yard line against Pembroke. A late interception returned for a touchdown followed by a fumble on the ensuing possession also cost them against 7-2 Kennett last season. “We were three plays away from being 7-2 but you know what, you have to make those plays and we didn’t. This group is very focused to get the job done this season.”

 2019-20 Gilford-Belmont Team Page

 Quarterback Alex Cheek, a three year starter, returns after an all-state campaign a year ago. The 6’2 senior is one of the best quarterbacks in the division but will be spelled at times by Jack McLean. “Alex is our quarterback but we want to utilize Jack’s ability to throw the ball as well. We can use Alex at running back as well. When you have two good quarterbacks, you utilize them both.”

 Blake Descoteaux might be the best back in the division you’ve never heard of. Descoteaux had a lot of success running the ball after being moved over from slot-receiver and starts Day 1 as the lead RB. “We kept finding ways to get him the ball in space and his improvement throughout the season was noticeable. I think he is set up to have a very big year,” said Marzahl.

 The strength of the team will be in it’s wide receiver group.

 All-state WR Curtis Nelson returns after leading the division in receiving a year ago and will be joined by standout Jackson Roulke and explosive freshman Isaiah Reese. “They are all very good basketball players and you see that when they have a play where they need to go up and fight for the ball,” said Marzahl. “We are going to run the ball more than we have in the past because we want a more balanced offense but we have a ton of confidence in our receiving group. Isaiah is going to make an immediate impact. He’s the real deal.”

 Mike Dandurand and Kenny Maccabee anchor an offensive line that should be very good but lacks depth. “Depth is my only concern with that group,” admits Marzahl. “It’s a very hard-working group but we need to improve every week and stay healthy.”

 The defense will be led by coordinator Mo Reese and all-state MLB John Mitchell, who was a tackling machine a year ago.

 Malik Reese had a very good season at defensive end last season while Roulke was one of the interception leaders in the division at cornerback. “We are going to match Jackson up with the other teams’ best receiver,” said Marzahl. “We have good speed in the secondary and Jackson gives us size as well.”

 “This is a senior group that has waited for this season and so we want to make the most of it. It looked pretty grim at times but we are playing football again and the kids are really excited to compete.”

 Long time Wells (ME) football coach Ed McDonough takes over one of the best football programs in Division II. At St. Thomas McDonough has a roster made up primarily of underclassman (only 6 seniors are on the 34 player roster) but enough experience coming back to contend once again.

 The key word from Day 1 will be patience.

 “The kids and I are just getting to know each other so it will take some time,” said McDonough who coached in Maine for over 40 years. “The kids have been tremendous. They are very smart and there is a lot of speed and athleticism on the roster. I’m excited to see what we can become but it will take some time. With the open tournament the goal is to be playing our best football at the end of the season.”

 St. Thomas 2019 Team Page

 Quarterback Cam Paquette threw for over 1,700 yards a year ago and will be joined in the backfield by Aidan Gorman, (WR) Kenneth Adams and all-state wide receiver Adam Stewart, who will be used on jet sweeps and other run packages in addition to lining up at wide receiver. “Adam is a very good football player and we are going to make sure we get him the ball,” said McDonough.

 Senior all-state performer Tim Bonagura will anchor the offensive and defensive lines (“Tim has been tremendous,” said McDonough. “He’s a really positive leader for us.”) alongside Hunter Jennings and Matt Bua.

 Connor Toriello returns as an all-state caliber linebacker while Liam Sullivan (CB) will lead the secondary in defensive coordinator Tom Radulski’s unit.

 “We are going to honor the (spread) offense the kids have run previously while implementing some new aspects from my time in coaching. We are going to try to balance the run and the pass. It’s about getting better week to week and I’m looking forward to working with the kids to that end.”

 3rd year head coach Will Moher continues the turnaround at Pembroke Academy where a senior group looks to make a statement in their final season. “We have a group of 16 to 17 kids who were here as underclassman when we struggled just to compete week to week,” said Moher.

“We played at Plymouth one year with about four extra players on the sideline,” said Moher. “So we as a group want to come full circle and compete with everyone on our schedule in a very tough division.”

 The optimism starts with two all-state performers in quarterback Ryan Casey and WR/RB Jack Schaefer. Casey put up big numbers a year ago while Moher will get the ball in Schaefer’s hands as frequently as possible. “Ryan has worked really hard to get better at reading defenses. Over the winter we would trade videos and breakdown opposing defenses. He’s worked very hard to become a good quarterback.”

 “Jack is just a terrific athlete,” said his head coach. “He’s going to help us in a number of different ways.”

 Nate Quinn and Logan Longacre, who missed time last season with an injury, will join Casey in the backfield. The offensive line returns four starters: Devin Bourget, Cody Montambeault (both are 3-year starters), Shawn Burrows and Cody Leclair.

 The defense will be led by Bourget, Schaefer and sophomore Aiden Weldon.

 Moher, who played football as a lineman at UNH, knew a complete culture change was needed when he took over and in Year 3 he sees signs of everything coming together.

“The kids are really excited to compete and they know they have reached a level where they are playing for something important. We’re excited to see how we stack up against the rest of the division.”

 

 West predicted order

1. Souhegan
2. Hollis-Brookline
3. Bow
4. Lebanon
5. Hillsborough Deering-Hopkinton
6. Milford
7. Hanover
8. Manchester West
9. John Stark

 

 Mid-way through last season you’d have a hard time finding anyone who didn’t think Souhegan was poised for a run to Durham.

 Robin Bowkett’s team could beat you in a number of different ways and road wins at St Thomas and Milford gave the Sabers the look of a team that might be the one dancing in the rain at UNH come November.

 The Sabers though dropped a 21-20 decision at home to a very good Pelham team (in a game we covered) and never seemed to recover. Finishing 1-4 in their final 5 games.

 Souhegan 2019 Team Page

 A year later the Sabers have the core of both their offense & defense back and enough scars from last year’s finish to make them eager to flip the script in 2020. “We had a great summer of workouts and the kids have come into this season as focused as I’ve ever seen them,” said Bowkett. “It’s a very good mix of talent and experience.”

 Senior quarterback Austin Jain returns along with a loaded backfield that includes Riley Lawhorn, Mitch Hauser and Tony Garrant. “Austin is far more comfortable at QB today than he was a year ago,” said Bowkett. “That has a lot to do with his preparation but also his comfort level in the offensive players around him.”

 Luke Manning is one of the best wide receivers in the state and the mission in 2020 remains the same; get him the football. “We find creative ways to make sure Luke is getting the ball in space. He is just such a weapon and an explosive athlete.”

 Joining Manning at the skill positions will be Reese Colby, Jake Civiello and Connor Holland.

 The offensive line returns three starters: Alex Karpawich, Nate Fritz and Will Boyle. “We have a lot of confidence in our lineman and I think Will is set up to have a really good season.”

 The defense is led by all-state DT/DE Mike Maroun, Mitch Hauser, Tony Garrant and standout cornerback Dylan Button. Dexter Healey has had a very good pre-season and projects to be a very good run stopper for the Sabers.

 “Between how we finished last season and the fact that we weren’t sure six weeks ago if we were even going to have a season the kids are taking nothing for granted,” said Bowkett. “Their commitment level has been terrific and we really can’t wait to get going.”

 The team known for slinging the ball around the field all season long woke up on the morning of the biggest game of their lives to a fall nor’easter.

 With rain and 40 mph winds in the forecast for the Division II championship game at UNH Chris Lones’ Hollis-Brookline Cavaliers were now going to have to beat 3-time defending champion Plymouth at their own game. “The game plan we had on Tuesday was completely thrown out the window by Thursday because of the weather forecast,” said Lones. “Quinten Wimmer spent his entire career at wide receiver and finished it at running back. We scrapped it all to give ourselves the best chance to win.”

 They did win that day, over not only Plymouth but the elements. One year later the Wimmer twins are in California playing football and a new group of leaders steps up into bigger roles for the champs.

 It begins in the backfield where Marc-Andre Thermitus and Kyle Manley make up one of the best running back duos in the division. “Marc showed everyone his ability last year in the playoffs, he was just terrific,” said Lones. “Kyle might fly a bit under the radar but he has been every bit as good and I think he is set up for a very big season.”

 Connor Warren will join Thermitus and Manley in the backfield where three quarterbacks will vie for the starting job. Tyler Trombley was Sander Wimmer’s back-up a year ago and is in a quarterback competition against Riley McQuikin and Keith Hubert. “They each have their own strengths and I think at different points you’re going to see all three behind center for us.”

 The strength for the Cavaliers may be in their play on the offensive and defensive line. Henry Burns, Adam Slater, Jack Duquette and Josh Parr will all contribute along with tackling machine Quinn Connors. 6’3 230 Grigory Dushkin, a transfer from Winchester, Mass. will also step right in on the line.

 Isaiah Velez returns from injury at the wide receiver spot while Quinn Connors, who I had unofficially for 87 tackles against Plymouth, and Kyle Manley will lead the defense at linebacker. “It’s going to be hard without the Wimmer brothers to be as good offensively as we were a year ago but we might be better on defense,” said Lones.

 Blake Bergerson is set up for an all-state season alongside CB Adam Rayan.

 “What we accomplished a year ago felt amazing but that’s behind us,” said Lones of his team’s pending title defense. “Those days are gone and now it is about the grind of competing week to week and getting better every game.”

 Re-building is a relative term when you are talking about a program like Bow, who has been one of the best football programs in the state over the last decade.

 Paul Cohen’s team graduated 11 senior starters including all 5 on the offensive line. What we’ll see in 2020 in a young group led by a pair of all-state performers.

 Seniors Andrew Robbins and Cooper Larabee are set to have a big season at running back and tight end. Those two are as good as any at their position in the division. The question is how the newcomers around them develop throughout the shortened regular season.

 Alex Boisvert steps in at quarterback and will be joined by a promising group of backs.

 At Tailback the carries will be split between senior Andrew Bliss, junior Evan Provost & sophomore Logan Gordan. Nick Aubrey will be back for his senior year at wingback and he will be joined by Wyatt Reinhardt.

Bow 2019 team page

 The offensive line is going to have a lot of new faces this year. The only returning starter is TE Cooper Larrabee. We will be joined at TE by Lincoln Routhier and Shawn Lover.

 The line will be a mix of Senior Ryan Nicholls (G) and Juniors Teddy Pfiefle and Cole Robinson (T) & sophomore’s Hollis Jones (G) and Austin Bouch. Center duties will go to Senior Justin Filteau. It’s a group that saw action a year ago but was not counted on in starting roles.

 Defensively the Falcons return Larrabee and Nicholls at DE, Ethan Krueger ILB, Myles Rheinhardt at OLB and Bliss at CB.

 They will be joined by newcomers, Hollis Jones ILB, Aubrey OLB. Ryan Lover and Logan Gordan look to split time at Safety while Senior Conner Lee and newcomers Evan Provost and Matt Cardarelli (a member of our all-glue guy team in basketball) look to help out in the defensive back field.

 A year after a run to the Division III championship game Lebanon returns to Division II under longtime head coach Chris Childs. “It’s a good challenge for the kids and our program. I’m excited to see how we match up.”

 Lebanon is among the smallest schools in the division but returns a strong nucleus after the graduation of all-state QB Jon Willeman and all-state RB Wade Rainey. “This is a group that really has a lot of fun together,” said Childs. “Add to that the fact that they work really hard and that’s a team you want to go to battle with every week.”

 Lebanon 2019 Team Page

 Junior Jackson Stone will take over at quarterback while CJ Childs, Nyeotti Punni and Cole Shambo will all get carries in a talented backfield.

 Calvin Bates is set for an all-state season at wide receiver while Justin DeCarlo and Tanner Ames will each contribute at tight end. “We lost some key players from last season but we like the talent we have on offense.”

 Zach Whitcomb, Cameron Davio, John Carrier and Josh Mondragon will anchor the offensive line for the Raiders while CJ Childs (LB), Jackson Stone (S), Calvin Bates and Jake Hibner lead a talented defense.

 “It’s a challenge for everyone, with the drastic changes in schedules and procedures, but we have a good group and the kids are just excited to be competing again.”

  Jay Wood’s Hillsborough-Deering Hopkinton Red Hawks also make the move up with a good core group returning from a playoff team a year ago. “We have a lot of experience at some pretty key positions,” said Wood. “We have a big test right off the bat at Bow and the kids are really excited to get going.”

 Senior Mike Oberheim took over at quarterback at the end of his sophomore year and carries two years of experience into his senior campaign. “He’s worked very hard and is throwing the ball very well. I think he’s set to have a very good season,” said Wood.

 Colby Quiet got a Christian McCaffrey level of touches a year ago but now that he is graduated the carries will be split among a talented group that includes Jack Morral, Eli Tanuvasa and fullback Dylan Barrett. “We have a lot of confidence in all three players and they each have a different strength they bring to the table,” said Wood.

 HD-Hopkinton 2019 Team Page

 6’3 Cooper Coldwell is a talented tight end who will contribute right away along with John Jacobsen. The offensive line will be anchored by four returning starters: Tucker Card, Jon McMahon and all-state returnees Vincent Waddell & Alex Brown.

 The defense will be led by Waddell (LB), Coldwell (DE), Morral (CB/S) and Brown (DT).  “We have a lot of area rivalries we will be playing when we play teams like Bow, Merrimack Valley and Pembroke,” said Wood. “The kids have been working really hard and they are ready to go.”

 It’s a rebuilding year for one of the most consistent football programs in the state as Keith Jones’ Milford Spartans look to replace 26 seniors including all-state QB Gavin Urda. “ It’s certainly going to be a challenge for us but it’s a great group of kids and we have more size than we have in previous seasons,” said Jones. “We have a pretty tough schedule because of the changes to the season so there will be little time to ease into it. We have to be ready to go.”

 Charlie Urda (the last of the Urda brothers), Harris Jones and Liam Daly will both likely see time at quarterback and will be joined in the backfield by the all-state caliber duo of Logan Barnhill and Caden Zalenski. “Both Logan and Caden were big contributors for us last year so they’ll lead the way this season,” said Jones.

 Noah Santos, Ben Kilgore and Owen Marble will lead a new look offensive and defensive line. Most of the position battles were still ongoing heading into the final week of the pre-season.

 The defense, led by Zalenski, Barnhill and Darrion Kimball, has a chance to be the strength of the team. “We are young at certain spots but the kids have been great in practice. Like everyone else we will adjust to whatever the season sends our way.”

 Hanover head coach Sam Cavallaro knew it was going to be challenging season a year ago. The Marauders lost a huge senior class after a 2018 playoff appearance but the growing pains never got easier for a program accustomed to being in the mix every season. “In all my years as head coach we had only used five freshmen in games in all of that time,” said Cavallaro. “Last season alone we used five freshmen because we really didn’t have any other choice.”

 All those growing pains could pay off in 2020 as a now experienced group returns. Colin Pierce will start at quarterback after taking over the position late last season. “He understands the offense very well after getting some experience last season.”

 Sophomore Ben Williams is a name to remember, a running back with 4.4 speed and a ton of potential. He will be joined in the backfield by returnees Seamus Murphy and Moe Kado, who also has blazing speed.

 Speed wasn’t the issue last season, it was size. “We knew going into a lot of games last year that we were not going to be able to match the other team physically,” said Cavallaro. “The kids didn’t get discouraged though and you carry that over to this season where we should be able to match up week to week.”

 Ben Wagner, Connor Chambers, Patrick Elder, Montana Hanchett and Jack Starkey all return as starters on the offensive line.

 Seamus Murphy will lead the linebackers while Erik Blix and Josh Bucci have each had very strong pre-seasons for the Marauders.

 The youth movement isn’t over yet as Matt Brock, Brendan Logan and Ian Solberg are three sophomores who will all play a big role for Cavallaro’s team. “We will see how it translates when we get out on the field but this is a very good group and they want to prove themselves this season. We’re ready to go.”

 If there was a break to be had during the 2019 season the John Stark Generals never caught it.

 The Generals had the potential to make another playoff run after a Jake Cole led charge in 2018 until arguably their two best players Nikos Biskaduros and Logan Beliveau went down early with season ending injuries.

 That’s tough to come back from for any team but when depth is already an issue in a tough division it can be a death sentence to your post-season aspirations. “That was a tough hit to take and you feel for both of the players who had worked so hard,” said head coach Kevin McGinty. “We just weren’t able to overcome it.”

 Quarterback Nate Tower returns to run the offense and will be joined in the backfield by Tommy Quinn, Cody Sutkus and Thomas Johnson. “We’ll run out of the I-formation and we have a lot of confidence in Nate as our quarterback,” said McGinty.

 Jaxson Wood and Jacob Parsons return at wide receiver but it will be a new look offensive line, where as many as three sophomores may start for the Generals. “We are going to have to develop quickly on the line because our schedule isn’t going to allow us much time to come together.”

 Chris Audet and Ryan Plamondon will anchor the line while Thomas Johnson is a 3-year starter at linebacker and Tommy Quinn will lead the secondary from the free safety position.

 “Twenty six of our thirty seven players are underclassman,” said McGinty. “With the shortened pre-season and no scrimmages that means a lot of lessons will be learned during the season. We’ll work hard to get better every week.”

 

 

 

 Coming tomorrow: Division I