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Veteran L-S looks to impress
Plenty of storylines as we head into the 26th season of the Sweet 16.
Start with two-time defending Division 1 Super Bowl champion Everett. Longtime head coach John DiBiaso retired from the school and resurfaced at Catholic Memorial, leaving the coaching duties to former Crimson Tide standout Theluxon Pierre.
LincolnSudbury came so close to winning a Div. 2 state title last year and have 15 starters back. In addition, coaching legend Tom Lopez is a mere six wins away from becoming the fifth coach in state history to win 300 games. Duxbury is licking its chops in anticipation of what it feels could be a super season.
Without further ado, let’s delve into our preseason Sweet 16. (Last year’s record in parentheses.)
1. EVERETT (11-0): For the first time in more than 25 years there will be a new face running the show with Pierre taking over for DiBiaso. The Crimson Tide graduated four All-Scholastics and had two more transfer out, but there is enough talent to make another run at a Super Bowl title.
Virginia Tech-commit Mike Sainristil, Robby Riobe and talented transfer Samy Lamothe make the secondary a strength once again. Wilson Frederic, Jalen Smith and Gilbert Kabamba lead the way up front, while Melrose transfer Isaac Seide ran for more than 1,000 yards last season.
2. XAVERIAN (7-5): The Hawks shrugged off a slow start to make their fifth straight Super Bowl appearance. The line should be a strong point as Lucas Ferraro, Grant Laws, Trevor Carroll and Liam Peck all return. The backfield tandem of Mike Saliba and Mike Masse are solid, while Cooper DeVeau and Justin Wenstrom started in the secondary last year.
3. LINCOLN-SUDBURY (111): Good luck finding a team with more quality returning players than the Warriors. Start in the trenches where Mike Ciaffoni, Cal Kenney and Andrew Guerra are back. James Dillon ran for nearly 1,000 yards, while Braden O’Connell is a dual-threat quarterback. Add in defensive backs Milind Lele and Kyle Smith, tight end Matt Cunningham and kicker Joey Caloiero, and one can see why L-S is thinking big.
4. DUXBURY (8-3): The Dragons could very well be the team to beat in Div.3. John Roberts returns at quarterback, and he’ll have solid targets at his disposal in Will Prouty, Jack Jacobson, Tim Landolfi and Leo Allgaier. Quinn Murphy leads an impressive line which includes Josh Peters and Jake Smith.
5. ST. JOHN’S PREP (56): The Eagles are looking to rebound after a subpar 2017 season. Getting wide receiver Wes Rockett back after missing last year to injury is a good start. James Taylor, Kevin Dewing and Cooper Smith are back on the line, blocking for Aise Pream again. Matthew Crowley returns at quarterback, while Colton Tangney should be one of the better linebackers in the Catholic Conference.
6. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (6-5): There is plenty of excitement on Baker Street with the arrival of DiBiaso. The defense should be solid as end Lucas Folan, linebacker Owen McGowan and defensive backs Hunter Tully and Khari Johnson are back. Hunter Salmon is the most experienced lineman, while Barrett Pratt returns at quarterback.
7. MANSFIELD (8-3): The Hornets return several key components from a team which nearly knocked off King Philip in the playoffs. Quarterback Damani Scott is back to lead an offense which should score points, along with running backs Vinnie Holmes, Chris Copponi and Aidan Sacco. Khristian Conner starts at receiver and defensive back, while Daenin Walker is back on the line.
8. KING PHILIP (12-0): The two-time defending Div. 2 state champion will look to its defense once again. Jack Webster and Max Armour are two of the top linebackers in the Hockomock League, while Luke D’Amico and Aidan Bender anchor the secondary. Terrell Jacobs is back on the line and Cole Baker has proven the ability to make kicks under pressure.
9. NATICK (9-1): Lots of experienced players back from a team that went undefeated in Bay State Conference play. Josh Atwood and Ramathan Makayu return on the line while wide receivers Max Ferrucci and Angel Lebron, defensive backs Gio DeJesus, Colin Ghilani and Declan McMahon, and linebacker Hunter Ferrara are also back.
10. NORTH ANDOVER (92): The Scarlet Knights should have no trouble scoring points, as quarterback Jake McElroy, running back Darren Watson and wide receiver Gabe DeSouza are all back. Defensive backs J.D Allen and Jack Walsh return as well as tight end Ryan Slattery and linebacker Matt Samenuk.
11. BROCKTON (3-8): The Boxers are looking to rebound after posting their worst record in Peter Colombo’s 15 years at the helm. Question marks surround the skill positions, but the line play should be a major plus as A.J. Walker, Matthew Goldstone and Segun Okunlola were allleague players last year.
12. BC HIGH (10-1): Jonathan Brillo takes over for Jon Bartlett on the sidelines. Despite losing 31 seniors, the Eagles still feel they can make noise as Keith Henderson, John Freeman and Jack Cahill are back on the line. Other experienced players include wide receiver Carter Rice, defensive back Kaleb Moody, linebacker John Destefanis and defensive end Stephen Flynn.
13. MASHPEE (13-0): The Falcons enter the season looking for their fourth straight Super Bowl title. Devaun Ford is one of the top backs in the state, Xavier Gonsalves is a premier defensive end and Cam Kergo headlines the secondary. Kendall Rose will contribute heavily from his fullback/linebacker position as well as Nolan Lyons, who returns after missing last year to injury.
14. BRAINTREE (7-4): The Wamps have the horses to be one of the top teams in the Bay State Conference. Billy Silvia should be one of the most productive backs in the state, while lineman Matt Doyle and linebacker Noah Brooks excelled last year.
15. BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (9-2): The Trojans took some big hits in the backfield, but Dan Buron always puts together a quality team. Tight end Jeff Ciccio and lineman Nolan Anderson are the top returning players, while center Matt Cady, guard Tim Brennan, safety Kyle Duggan and cornerback Nico Carucci saw extensive playing time.
16. CENTRAL CATHOLIC (10-1): Few teams suffered more from graduation than the Raiders. They will rely on a pair of solid defensive backs in Joe Howshan and Mike LeFebre along with linebacker Cam Boes.