The 2021 Division III football season played out like a team of grass squaring off against a fleet of lawnmowers.

 The undefeated Pelham Pythons scored 49 points a game during the regular season and gave up 35.

 Not 35 points a game…..they gave up 35 points over the course of an entire regular season.

 So when Tom Babaian’s team moved back to Division II ( a rarely seen move that made every person on both sides extremely happy), it was difficult to forecast where they ranked in the division above.

 The Pythons began the season (here) ranked #3 in the division behind a loaded Souhegan team and a Milford squad coming off a title game appearance.

 The Pythons cruised to a 7-0 start, flashing the same dominance they had shown in 2020 and 2021’s back-to-back Division III titles, but they faced only one team out of the seven that would even make the playoffs, and that team (St Thomas) finished with a losing (4-5) record.

 Pelham was unquestionably very good, but were they great?

 In Week 8, we watched them march down the field in the final minute to beat fellow unbeaten Souhegan 28-21 on the Sabers home field. In that victory, Pelham proved to not only be very good but clutch as well.

 Over the next four weeks, we watched Pelham morph from very good to great.

 The Pythons rolled through the playoffs, culminating in a 35-6 domination of the same Souhegan team that took them to the limit a month earlier.

 A year later, Pelham returns seven starters, one of the best linemen in the state, and enough firepower to do it all again.

 Today, in our second of four football previews, we look at Division II, where seventeen teams (Lebanon is playing a JV-only schedule this season) stand between the Pythons and a history-making run of four championships in a row.

 Our Division II preview is brought to you by our great friends and longtime partners at Nashua Community College!

 

 Division II East Predicted Order  (*-playoff team)

1. Plymouth *

2. Kennett *

3. St Thomas *

4. Merrimack Valley 

5. Gilford-Belmont

6. Bow

7. Sanborn

8. Laconia

9. Pembroke Academy

 A down year for the Plymouth Bobcats still netted them a playoff berth, but the 63-14 final score of their loss to eventual champion Pelham reminded Chris Sanborn’s team that the gap between them and the top was as wide as it had been in a decade.

 Nine months later, the Bobcats are short on star power but feature a good nucleus and some younger players expected to thrive in more significant roles this season.

 Sort of like the team we all follow down in Foxboro.

 “ I don’t love using the word potential, but we have that with this group,” said head coach Chris Sanborn, who has won three championships in his nine seasons as head coach.

 “ No one was happy with last season, and to the kids' credit, they got right back to work immediately. The participation and effort level in the weight room was excellent. These kids know they have something to prove.”

 Luke Diamond returns at quarterback and is finishing up a solid pre-season camp. “ I like what I’ve seen. The experience from last year was good for him, and he’s come in more sure of himself at the position,” said Sanborn. “You can see the added confidence.”

 It will be running back by committee, looking to replace all-state back Dylan Welch, who rushed for 1,297 yards last season. “ Dylan is going to be difficult to replace, and no one player is going to do it,” said Sanborn.

 Gabe Kean, Robbie Thorne, and Jaxson Rineer will join Eli Crane in the backfield.

 Brendan Johnson returns as the team’s starting tight end and will be joined on a very good offensive line by Zack Carter (“Zack lived in the weight room over the off-season,” said Sanborn), 6’4 235 lb all-state standout Emmitt Nossaman, Tyler Mederios and Tyler Dekutoski.

 “ The line is going to be a strength of ours,” said Sanborn.

 This means the defensive line will be a strength as well. A strong junior class should fill in the gaps from last year’s departing seniors.

 Liam Shannon will lead the linebackers along with Rineer, as the Bobcats still had players competing for starting assignments in the secondary in camp.

 “ We have some areas of concern, but I’ve been impressed with the sophomore and junior classes,” said Sanborn. “ The hope, as always, is to develop our players, stay healthy, and be playing our best football when it matters most in November.”

 The Kennett Eagles have strong numbers in the program (55 players on the roster) but fourteen seniors to replace in Scott Stearns’ second season as head coach.

 “ We have a good group but a lot of quality players to replace,” said Stearns. “Regarding offensive weapons, we feel like we have a very strong group.”

 Brody Nagle returns to run the Eagles offense after passing for 616 yards last season. “ He played well for us last season but looks like a whole different kid this year,” said Stearns. “ He dedicated himself in the weight room and has improved as a player.”

 Tavon Porter will step into a lead-back role alongside Tyler Walcott, an all-state receiver a year ago who will play several positions. “ Tyler is as hard a worker as we have, and we’re going to look to get him the ball any way we can,” said Stearns.

 “ We want a good rotation at running back,” said Stearns.

 Walcott will be joined at receiver by talented wideout Deven Bailey, who looks poised for a breakout season. Joining them will be freshman Marquis Twomey, who is expected to contribute right away.

 The offensive line replaces several key players from a year and will be anchored by Greyson Witchley.

 The defense will be led by Bailey at safety, Ben Chick, Sawyer Hussey, and Walcott at outside linebacker.

 “ We have been a team that makes the playoffs every year, but we haven’t won a playoff game in a very long time,” said Stearns. “ That’s something we want to change this season.”

  The St Thomas Saints earned a playoff berth a season ago and will look to make some noise once they get to November behind a strong group of returning playmakers.

 “ We have a very good group of seniors who want to go out on a high note,” head coach Ed McDonough said. “ They have stepped into leadership roles and set the tone for a good pre-season.”

 Michael Skowren returns at quarterback after throwing for 489 yards and rushing for 202 last season. “ Experience at quarterback makes our job as coaches a lot easier,” joked McDonough. “ Michael looks more comfortable and ready for a big season for us.”

 Timmy Avery returns at RB/FB along with Trent Salyards, Owen Birch, and guard-turned-wing-back Sam Grondin. “ We are excited about the depth of our running backs,” said McDonough. “ That will be an area of strength for us.”

 Liam Mathis, Derek Leedberg, Garrett Dorr, Logan Campbell, and Cole Masiello will anchor the offensive line, a group with a strong starting unit but not a ton of depth. “ Building depth on the line is an area of focus for us,” said McDonough.

 The Saints will play most of their starters both ways with a young core of cornerbacks featuring Declan Healey, Aidan Morrison, and Kenny Avery.

 Dillon Lassard and Sam Grondin will play linebacker alongside Salyards and Timmy Avery.

 "With our numbers in the mid-thirties, we are going to need everyone ready to contribute,” said McDonough. “ We like our group of players, and they’re excited to compete.”

 The pre-season buzz surrounding Merrimack Valley seems warranted.

 The Pride barely missed the playoffs a year ago and return a strong nucleus.

 The question for Matt Shaw’s team: Can they replace one of the best linemen in the division and build enough depth to compete with the best teams come November?

 “ We have a lot of returning players but a lot to work on as well,” said Shaw, who formerly was the head coach down the road at Bishop Brady.

 “ This group has had three offensive coordinators in three seasons, and our numbers (30 players on the roster) were surprisingly low. We need to build depth because we are going to need everyone to contribute,” said Shaw.

 Brendan Johnson, the head coach at Brady a year ago, takes over as coordinator.

 Brayden Hussey took over at quarterback in the second half of last season and has had the job from day one this season. “ The experience he was able to get last season gives him a head-start, no doubt,” said Shaw.

 “ He has a good arm and can create plays on the run for us.”

 Running back Reece Clermont returns after rushing for 776 yards last season and has looked very good in the pre-season. “ He’s put on weight and come in stronger than he was a year ago,” said Shaw.

 Clermont will be joined in the backfield by Colby Sheffer, while the wide receiver/tight end group will feature versatile TE Michael Heine and slot receiver Cam Chevarie.

 The offensive line is a work in progress, with only one starter returning. Nolan Beck will anchor that unit, while the defense will be led by DT Travis Garcia, Scheffer at MLB, Hussey at safety, Clermont at CB, and Hines at defensive end.

 “ We have some key components coming back and a real focus on taking the next step and getting to the playoffs,” said Shaw. “ To accomplish that, we need players stepping into more prominent roles and the offensive and defensive lines to come together.”

 “ We’re confident we can compete with the teams on our schedule, and the kids are excited to get started.

 Josh Marzahl’s Gilford-Belmont team will need to replace a huge senior class, the player of the year (Isaiah Reese), and a first-team all-state defensive standout in Michael Maccoine, after both left for prep school.

 A team that seemed to play in the spotlight last year now works to get back to the playoffs for a third straight season. “ Isaiah is someone you just are not going to replace, so it’s about coming together as a group and getting contributions from a number of different players.”

 6’4 Anakin Underhill takes over at quarterback with a rocket arm and a lot to learn. “ Anakin can make all the throws. He’s someone who, if he develops, can play at the next level, but he lacks experience,” said Marzahl. “ We have been very happy with his progress here in the pre-season.”

 With Reese and Michael Kitto graduating, it is a new-look backfield as senior Hutch Haskins and Noah Harder will share carries at running back.

 The Golden Eagles return the leading receiver in the division last year in 6’2 all-state standout Logan Grant, who will be used in various ways this season. “ Logan has come such a long way as a player,” said Marzahl. “ He works extremely hard and has stepped into a leadership role for us this season.”

 “ We need to get him touches because he is a weapon for us and one of the best players in the division.”

 Mason Sleeper and track standout Colby Vetter will play right away at receiver, while all-state standout Neil Downs will anchor the offensive line along with Sam Young. “ Neil is a difference maker for us and set to have a great season,” said Marzahl.

 The defense will be led by Downs, Young, Haskins (LB), Grant (FS), Ricky Johnson, Zakk Ober (CB), and Keith Cameron, who has battled injuries in the pre-season.

 “ This was the hardest working group I’ve ever had over the off-season. We hope that translates on the field,” said Marzahl. “ We have a very good group, and we as coaches have been very pleased with the effort level here in the pre-season.”

 The Bow Falcons, one of the best football programs in the state over the last decade, are undergoing a youth movement this season.

. With three returning starters on defense and four on offense, Bow will have a lot of players seeing the field for the first time. 

 Junior Brady Lover takes over at QB this year and will be joined in the backfield by seniors Gavin McCabe, Josiah Funches & Jared Dolder.

 They will be sharing carries with juniors Harrison Denise and Jonathan Gancarz as well as sophomores Miles Miller, Caleb Schumacher & Chase Flagg.

 The offensive line features Ryan McCabe & Sean Nicholls, along with Jackson Hall and sophomore Hunter Hutchinson. They will be joined by Matt Lyon, Josh Boufford, Sam Hammond & Eli Ayers.

 Defensively Bow returns Sean Nicholls & Jackson Hall on the D-line with Matt Lyon, Hunter Hutchinson, Ryan McCabe & Owen Boullion in the rotation. 

 At Linebacker, Josiah Funches and Adam Auclair will be joined by Caleb Schumacher & Chase Flagg. The defensive backfield will be covered by Gavin McCabe, Jared Dolder, Miles Miller, Harrison Denise & Jonathan Gancarz

 In a deep division, Sanborn Regional hopes to make the leap in 2023.

 “ We felt good going into the season, but every time we seemed to gain some momentum, injuries knocked us back,” said head coach Josh White. “ At one point, we had twenty-three players out with injuries.”

 Brandon Sarette takes over at quarterback and will be joined in the backfield by Austin Ingersol, who rushed for a team-high 630 yards last season, Ben Cardoso, and QB turned-RB Scott McGibbon. “ We have a lot of talent and experience in the backfield,” said White.

 Ricky Caillouete returns as a starting wide receiver and will line up alongside tight end Austin Ray, who has had a strong pre-season.

 Ben Rossi anchors the offensive line, where depth will need to be built, while Cardoso will help lead the defense at defensive back along with Rossi on the defensive line.

 “ The vibe and the attitude of this team have been great in the pre-season,” said White. “ If we can stay healthy, we have a chance to be competitive with every team we face on our schedule.”

 Longtime head coach Craig Kozens stepped down at Laconia after the 2022 season and will be succeeded by one of the school’s all-time rushing leaders, Nick Ford.

 The Sachem team Ford inherits returns its starting quarterback and features one of the best two-way football players in the state. The question is, how will underclassmen stepping into more prominent roles fill in around them?

 “ I have been an assistant under Coach Kozens, so it’s been a fairly easy transition to head coach with the players,” said Ford. “ We will continue the same philosophy we have always had but with a few new wrinkles as well.”

 Logan Sanchez returns at quarterback after throwing for 750 yards and eight touchdowns last season. “ Logan has looked very good in the pre-season, “ said Ford. “ He’s thrown the ball well and is making better reads.”

 Rowan Jones and Albert D’Almedia will get the bulk of the carries out of the backfield, while Aiden McNeil and Jacob Tryon will be featured at wide receiver. “ Aiden has good hands and is a very reliable receiver for us,” said Ford. “ Jacob brings a lot of speed and quickness to the position.”

 Tight end Keaton Beck is the best player at his position in the division and one of the top red-zone targets as well. “ Keaton is an outstanding leader, both by example and as a vocal leader,” said Ford. “ He is going to be a huge difference-maker for us on both sides of the ball.”

 The offensive line will be anchored by Braydon McMath, Ethan Byington, and Ryan Cook while RB/LB Alex Richardson will lead the defense along with Beck (DE) and Matt Jenna.

 “ We have a lot of new players, so there will be growing pains, but I couldn’t be happier with the attitude of the players,” said Ford. “ They are excited to compete.”

 The youth movement is underway at Pembroke Academy, where head coach Will Moher knows there are going to be struggles along the way but loves the effort and attitude of a group hungry to prove themselves.

 “ We have two strong classes with our freshman and sophomores,” said Moher. “Seniors leading by example has created a good vibe at practices.”

 Joe Fitzgerald returns at quarterback and will be joined in the backfield by Luke Hanson. “ Joe gives us a terrific athlete at quarterback,” said Moher. “ Luke has been running hard all pre-season, and we’ve loved what we have seen out of him. He runs angry.”

 Treyvon Cannon returns at wide receiver and is poised for a breakout season, while Jake Menczywor will start at tight end.

 The growing pains will come in the form of an offensive line that needs to replace seven seniors from a year ago.

 Nick Cushing will anchor the new-look line. “ Our play on both the offensive and defensive line has been a major focus for us here in the pre-season,” said Moher. “ The effort is there. We just lack experience.”

 Cannon will help lead the defense at free safety and will be joined on that side of the ball by Hanson at DE/LB and a lot of new faces on the defensive line.

 “ We have a lot to prove as a program,” said Moher. “ Our approach is it is most important to have players who love the game and want to work to get better as a team.”

 “ We want to put a good product on the field, develop our underclassman, who we are very excited about, and take care of the football,” said Moher. “ If we focus on that, we have a chance to be a very competitive football team this season and beyond.”

 

  Division II West Predicted Order

1. Pelham *

2. Souhegan *

3. Hanover *

4. Milford *

5. John Stark *

6. Manchester West

7. Hillsboro-Deering Hopkinton

8. Hollis Brookline

  There wasn’t a single conversation with a Division II head coach that didn't include a mention or a reference to the Pelham Pythons.

 The defending champs, who won two consecutive Division III titles before conquering Division II a season ago, outscored their opponents 453-101 in a 12-0 undefeated season.

 With seven starters back, Tom Babaian’s team are the favorite, but underclassman will need to step into more prominent roles if the Pythons are to win a fourth straight title and join the short list of greatest program runs in New Hampshire football history.

 “ We as players and coaches don’t talk about being defending champs often, but we don’t avoid it either,” said Babaian. “ At the end of the season, it will be about one team left standing, and our goal is to accomplish that again.”

 Junior Nick Muise takes over at quarterback, replacing three-year starter Jake Travis. “ Nick brings a lot of versatility to the position, and he is progressing very well here in the pre-season,” said Babaian.

 All-state running back Dom Herrling has a nose for the endzone, and his return gives the Pythons one of the most dynamic backs in the division. “ Dom is a very good football player, just like his brother (Jake) was for us,” said Babaian.

 “ He plays with a lot of effort and confidence and has become unquestionably a team leader for us.”

 Several players are vying for carries in the backfield, while the TE/WR group will be led by Stephen MacKinnin, Justin Bowlan, and Nolan Monette.

 The biggest difference maker on the team and possibly the entire division is OL/DL Memphis Patterson, who returns after an all-state season a year ago. “ He is a great player and a great kid,” said Babaian. “ I’m sure when teams are game-planning against us, his name comes up right away.”

 “ Memphis is a big-time player for us on both sides of the ball.”

 Joining Patterson will be two returning starters from a year ago: Russell Leonard and Diego Jimenez. “ You win a lot of games in the trenches, and we really like the group we have,” said Babaian.

 The defense will be loaded once again and led by linebacker Aiden Lynch, Patterson, and a host of two-way standouts.

 “ Nobody cares what you did last year; it’s about what we accomplish this season,” said Babaian. “ That’s our focus from Day one.”

  The Souhegan Sabers have as much offensive firepower as any football team in the state. 

 The question for Robin Bowkett’s team is: Can the defense make stops against the run when they have to have it, and can they beat the only team to defeat them last season, defending champion Pelham?

 “ This has been a very focused group, and that’s going back to last winter,” said Bowkett. “ We focus on the game ahead of us. That’s not ever going to change. We also know who the team to beat is, and that’s a focus of ours this season.”

 Let’s start with the high-powered offense.

 Quarterback Romy Jain returns after throwing for a Division II-leading 1,673 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. “ He has looked very good,” said Bowkett. “ Romy can make all the throws and has put the work in to be an elite passer.”

 JJ Bright returns after an all-state season at running back, where he was our runner-up for player of the year behind Gilford-Belmont’s Isaiah Reese.

“ He looks awesome,” said Bowkett. “ He’s ready to roll, and our job as a coaching staff is to get him the ball where he can make big plays for us.”

 Running back Carson Behn rushed for 357 yards last season and would be the #1 back on a lot of teams in the division.

 He will be joined in the Sabers spread offense by returning tight end Brayden Hickman and wide receivers Cole Manning, Connor Cassidy, Brady Smith, and Chase Knuckles.

 All are expected to produce right away.

 “ We have seven starters returning on offense, so we have been able to pick up where we left off last season,” said Bowkett.

 Three returning starters will anchor the offensive line: Sam LeBlanc, Brett Bouvier, and Luis Toledo.

 The defense was good last year but gave up 35 points and 380 yards on the ground to Pelham in the title game. “ Stopping the run is a huge emphasis for us this season,” said Bowkett. “ We played two really good running teams in the last two games (Gilford-Belmont and Pelham) and were not able to make stops when we had to.”

 Sam Stevenson will help the defense at the linebacker spot along with nose guard Zach Wyborney, Hickman at defensive end, Bright and Manning in the secondary, and Grant Harris at inside linebacker.

 “ The effort level and the vibe at practices has been great,” said Bowkett. “ There are a lot of tough teams in this division, and the kids are ready to go compete.”

 The Hanover Bears return two of the best-skill position players in the division.

 The question for Sam Cavallaro’s team is, can they build enough depth around them to make a late-season run after a 2022 campaign derailed by injuries?

 “ We started very strong last season (Hanover was 5-0 heading into October), but then injuries started piling up week after week, to the point where we went into the final games of the season needing a win just to get into the playoffs,” said Cavallaro.

 All-state running back Jeffrey Vidou’s 267-yard rushing performance against Manchester West, with starting quarterback Roger Lucas sidelined with an injury, clinched a spot in the postseason.

 Still, Hanover was short-handed once they arrived and were beaten by Bow 32-0 in the first round.

 “ We have a strong sophomore class,” said Cavallaro. “ A key to our success will be getting that group up to speed and ready to step into more significant roles this season.”

 Lucas returns at quarterback healthy and ready to pick up where he left off last season. “ Roger has looked great,” said Cavallaro. “ He’s a really hard worker, and he’s put on a lot of weight over the off-season lifting weights.”

 Vidou returns after an all-state season that saw him rush for 1,224 yards (good for fourth in the division) and 17 touchdowns.

“ He is set to have a great season for us,” said Cavallaro. “ We ask a lot of him, and he always delivers. He’s a terrific football player and a very hard worker.”

 David Frechette returns to the starting lineup at WR/RB along with running back John Taylor. Roy Lucas and Jayson Oriel will line up at wide receiver and tight end.

 Cavallaro has been impressed with kicker Ryan O’Hern in the pre-season and sees him as a potential weapon on special teams.

 The offensive line is one of the coaching staff's focus, as only one senior returns. “ We have a young group, but one with a lot of potential,” said Cavallaro.

 Aiden Caulfield will anchor a unit that includes Keegan Murphy, Nels Jones, a much improved Andrew Frechette, and Tyler Gammell.

 All-state performer Murphy and Vidou will lead the defense at linebacker, along with David Frechette at cornerback, Alex McGrath, Mateo Trimble, and defensive end Jayson Oriel.

 “ We like the talent and work ethic of this group, but with forty-three players, we need everyone ready to contribute,” said Cavarallo. “ That will be the key to our ability to compete with the best teams in the division.”

  Two years ago, the Milford Spartans upset top-ranked Lebanon in the semifinals to advance to the Division II championship against Timberlane.

 That team had a group of sophomores that found ways to contribute. Now that group leads a Spartans team looking to get back to the post-season after a disappointing 5-4 campaign last season.

 “ We have a lot of key players back but also a lot of holes that have yet to be filled,” said head coach Keith Jones. “ We are rebuilding on both the offensive and defensive lines, and the development of those units is going to be a key for us.”

 For what seems like the last twelve seasons, you could pencil in the Milford's starting quarterback as (enter first name here) Urda. 2023 will be different though as Harris Jones moves over from tight end to take the snaps behind center.

 “ Harris has worked hard,” said Jones of his quarterback who lives down the hallway. “ He knows and understands the offense and gives us a runner and someone who can also throw the football.”

 Cade Cloutier returns as the starting running back and will be joined in the backfield by Michael Lima, Eli Tekola, Kenny Bradford, and Kadyn Tessier,

 The wide receiver group will be led by Colton Tewksbury and Kobe Burnette, who has had a strong pre-season.

 The focus is the offensive line, a group anchored by Braedyn Mellen and sophomore Eli Gutierrez. “ Eli has looked very good in the pre-season,” said Jones. “ We feel like we have the players to fill those roles (on the line). It’s about developing them and coaching them up.”

 Cloutier and Kaleb Francoeur will lead the defense at linebacker, along with Lima at safety.

 “ We need to do a better job coming together and playing as a team,” said Jones. “ We need to play as a unit to be successful. Right now, that’s the biggest factor for us.”

  After a 4-5 season, the momentum continues to build for the John Stark Generals. Ray Kershaw’s team's goal is to make the playoffs and make a little noise once they arrive.

 “ It’s been a slow build but one that continues to move in the right direction,” said Kershaw. “ We have between fifteen and twenty players back who saw substantial playing time last season, so there is a lot of optimism that we can take the next step as a team.”

 Blake Sutkas returns at quarterback and will share time behind the center with fellow returner Joey Dykstra. “ Both are going to be on the field,” said Kershaw. “ We will move them around and take advantage of their versatility.”

 Donnie White will contribute right away in the backfield along with Andrew Tower, who has battled injuries in the pre-season, and Detlyn Williams.

 Byron Parrish will lead a solid group of receivers, including tight end Tyler Fredette.

 Rory McGone and Alex Dasanto will anchor the offensive line.

 Dykstra will lead the defense at linebacker, Williams at MLB, Donie White at OLB, and Tim Lachette at cornerback.

 “ We asked the players to put the work in, and they have,” said Kershaw. “ The attitude and effort level has been very good, and the kids are excited to compete, beginning with a very tough Milford team in Week 1.”

 “ The goal is to take the next step forward,” said Kershaw. “If we stay healthy and keep all of our guys on the field, we’re going to get it done.”

 With only one returning starter, Manchester West head coach Andrew Provencher and his staff recruited the hallways. The result is fifty-five players on the roster and a renewed sense of optimism in the Queen City.

 “ We have a lot of players new to the game of football, but they are athletes who love to compete and have been willing to put in the work,” said Provencher. “ That has led to a lot of very competitive practices.”

 Provencher isn't exaggerating. A staggering 80% of the Blue Knights roster has never played football before. Still, athletes from other sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball has them fitting in right away.

 Sophomore Gio Doria will start at quarterback, a mature for his age sophomore with the ability to throw the football and create when things break down.

 CJ Taylor, younger brother of former all-state back Ishean, will join him in the backfield. “ CJ has looked very good in the pre-season,” said Provencher. “ He was moved around quite a bit last season, but we will primarily have him running the football this season.”

 Logan Paradis returns from an injury to lead the receivers along with KeShawn Foster. “ Logan does so many things to help make us a better team,” said Provencher.

 “ KeShawn is a good route runner and someone who we will look to get the ball to.”

 The offensive line will be anchored by Jhystoni Rivera and Divine McCall while the defense will be led by Taylor & Eliel Chavez at linebacker and Terrance Bovill at defensive back.

 “ Our first two in-division games are against Pelham and Souhegan, so it’s about getting better and staying together,” said Provencher. “ We are encouraged by the numbers and have been very happy with the effort and attitude of the team.”

 Hillsboro-Deering Hopkinton returns fourteen players from their 2022 team which finished 2-7.

 All-state standout Thaddeus Maughan returns at guard/ILB along with RB/DE Mason Nichols.

 Head coach Jay Wood expects Micah Adams, Jack Anderson, Daniel Richard, Dominic Delbarone, Leo Vassar, Joey Simpson, Michael McCaffrey and Cole Guay to contribute right away.

  The sharp decline in numbers at Hollis Brookline since winning the championship just four years ago continues, meaning underclassmen are going to play whether they’re ready or not, and injuries must be avoided at all costs.

 “ It’s hard to explain and very difficult to deal with,” said head coach Chris Lones, who guided the school to their first-ever football title. “ We had no depth last year, and it will be an issue again. We have to prepare everyone to play and hope we can stay healthy.”

 Sophomores Colin Scott and Luke Kinney are competing for the starting job at quarterback while Dillon Kinney (Luke’s twin brother) and another sophomore, Winston Feeney will get the bulk of the carries at running back.

 “ We have a solid sophomore group,” said Lones. “ Winston has had a good pre-season running the football, and we feel like we have some kids ready to contribute right away.”

 Jim Lingley, who has also had a strong pre-season, and freshman Cole Duncan will play right away at receiver, while Graham Smith will anchor the offensive and defensive lines alongside John McCole and Auston Dougherty.

 “ We want to rotate players in and out of the lines to keep from tiring out later in the game,” said Lones.

 Doughtery will run the defense at middle linebacker, while Vinny Arcieri will be a difference-maker at defensive end.

 “ We’ll look to compete every week and continue to work to get the underclassman in the best position to succeed.”

 

  Coming tomorrow: Division III