A Look at Pre-Season
FOOTBALL
Coach: Derek Asadoorian (7th year); overall record 45-26
Assistant coaches: Phil Unger OL/DL, Nick McNamara QB/LB, Greg Gillette WR/DB, Colin Murphy Special Teams/OL/DL, Riley O'Keefe LB/RB, Casey Lawrence DL/OL
Captains: PJ Kendall, Joey Orlando, Ronnie Peck
Returning offensive starters: Joey Orlando, Sr/RB; Drew Moore, Sr/WR; Ronnie Peck, Sr/G; David Fei, Sr/T; Andy Femia Sr/T
Returning defensive starters: David Fei, Sr/DT; Andy Femia, Sr/DT; PJ Kendall, Sr/DE; Shane Dawson, Jr/LB; Joey Orlando, Sr/LB; Ronnie Peck, Sr/LB; Drew Moore, Sr/C
Other returning varsity players: Eric Yanchenko, Sr/K/P/DB; Corey Romich, Jr/QB/DB; Ryan Heinser, Sr/WR/C; Billy Mitchell, Jr/WR/DB;
Promising newcomers Colby Reardon, Sr/OL/DL; Eric Tupua, Jr/OL/DL; JC Thorburn, Jr/OL/DL; Aidan Hoey, Jr/OL/DL; Justin Griffin, So/OL/LB; Danny Howes, Jr/TE/DE; Jack Battles, Jr/TE/DE; Mitch Townsend, So/RB/DB; Logan Higgins, So/RB/DB; Nate Forbes, So/WR/DB; Jack O'Neill, WR/DB; Joey Silva, So/RB/LB; Kenny Pollard, So/WR/DB; TJ Fetterolf, Jr/WR/DB; David Heffernan, So/TE/DB; Chris Sweeny, So/RB/LB
Offense: Option
Quarterbacks: Corey Romich, Mike Tammaro & Nate Forbes
Running backs: Joey Orlando/Shane Dawson, Mitch Townsend/Logan Higgins
Receivers: Drew Moore, Billy Mitchell, Ryan Heinser, Danny Howes, Jack Battles, Jack O'Neill, Nate Forbes
Offensive line: Ronnie Peck (6 ft, 190), David Fei (6ft. 250), Andy Femia (5 ft. 11 in (210), PJ Kendall (5 ft. 11in 180), Colby Reardon (5 ft. 11 in 215), JC Thorburn, Eric Tupua (5 ft. 9in. 245), Aidan Hoey (6 ft.215), Justin Griffin (5 ft.11 in 195).
Coach's comments about offense:
Corey Romich - Experience at QB as sophomore due to injury to starting QB Quintin Forbes. His summer strength conditioning regime, last year's experience, has him playing with confidence, with solid command of the offense. Offensive line lacks size but is athletic and experienced up front. Ball control and sustaining drives will be a key to offensive success.
Type of defense: 4-3
Defensive line: David Fei, Andy Femia, PJ Kendall, JC Thorburn (5 ft, 11 in, 190) Danny Howes (6 ft 2in, 205), Eric Tupua (5 ft. 9in, 245), Colby Reardon, Jack Battles (6 ft.1 in,185)
Linebacker: Joey Orlando, Ronnie Peck, Shane Dawson,Justin Griffin, Joey Silva, Chris Sweeny
Secondary: Drew Moore, Ryan Heinser, Billy Mitchell, Nate Forbes, Mitch Townsend, Jack O'Neill, Eric Yanchenko, Logan Higgins, Kenny Pollard
Coach's comments about defense:
Strength: Overall team speed on defense. Experience at linebacker. Limiting big plays will be a key to defensive success. Staying healthy a factor in our ability to compete. Challenging schedule.
Season opener: Sept. 12 at Gardner
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Coach: Colleen Naboicheck (6th year)
Record last year: 5-2 overall, 3-2 league.
Captains: Emily McAulliffe, Bethany Fordham, Annie Gold, Sammie Ferrero
Top runners:
Emily McAulliffe (11) (Qualified for states past two years, league and C-Mass all-star). Sammie Ferrero (11) and Emily Wilson (9) will run neck and neck with McAulliffe.
Bethany Fordham (12) All-League), Alyssa Gerner (12), Annie Gold (12),
Sydney Habermann (11), Kate Nash (12), Jenna Plausse (12), Caitlyn Berube (12). This group came into the fall season in top condition and will be competing for the last two spots.
Freshmen Nicole Bozkurt, Sarah Mullins, Meagan O'Dell are talented and run with the top runners.
Strengths: Deep, very competitive group
Concerns: As in any sport, staying healthy is a concern.
Goals: Challenge Nashoba! Finish in the top three in districts, qualify for the states.
