Previewing every NEPSAC football team in Eastern Mass. in 2026

Coach: John Florence (6th season). Career: 13-32.

Strengths: Quarterback and running backs

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Off the program’s first winning season since transitioning to the NEPSAC in 2022, the Cougars are determined to build on that momentum with a slew of transfers and new starters (replacing 13 graduates). Lead tailback Vance Knowles is back behind three experienced linemen in John Doherty, Dalton Murphy, and Peter Trowbridge. Transfers Jayden Toppin (St. John’s Prep) and Jean Martino (Proctor) provide depth in the offensive and defensive backfield and receiver Logan McLaughlin-Ramos (Reading) is another addition. Junior Jason DiPalma pilots an air raid offense that will rotate receivers including senior Josh Zucchero, junior Joseph Cruz, and sophomore Mason Curran. Caiden Calvani and Thomas Cook are new starters up front along with tight end Nolan Richards. Brady Kloster will take on kicking duties in addition to his role at linebacker.

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Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m., at St. Luke’s

Coach: Mike Willey (13th season). Career: 71-27.

Strengths: Experienced offensive line

Concerns: New players at skill positions

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Strength for the Knights start up front with senior captain Liam Cunningham (6-0, 285) set to start at center for a fifth straight season. He’s flanked by fellow captain Ben Pantera (committed to Davidson) and Greyson McHargue (Colby) as returners on the line. Junior captain Xzavier Chafin (from Revere) is going to be a menace on the defensive line, and Colton Fisher and Drini Panariti are breakout candidates on that side of the ball. New quarterback Angus McKenna (Hull) will distribute to a number of talented skill players including Christian Flores, Colin Hoffman, speedster Liam Walker, and junior captain Owen DeSalvo (Cohasset). Senior captain Dante Snoonian (Yale) is a road-grater at fullback. The Knights have a major test Oct. 3 at NEPSAC Class A contender Avon Old Farms.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2:30 p.m., at Trinity-Pawling

Coach: Frank Roche (1st season). Career: 17-16 at Arlington.

Strengths: Senior leadership

Concerns: Depth on offensive and defensive line

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Roche, a former star at Arlington and Tufts, inherits a senior-laden roster in his first season at Belmont Hill. The 16-player class is led by captains Declan Curtin (6-foot-6, 220 pounds), a skilled pash rusher, and Ky-Mani Monteiro, a strong cornerback headed to Bentley. Fellow captain Nolan Ehler leads the defense at linebacker and senior Micheal Zapach will make an impact at defensive end and at tight end. New quarterback Westin McNeilly (Class of ’28) started for Wakefield the past three years and brings plenty of experience to a multiple offense. Trinity-bound senior Ajani Kromah will be a playmaker at receiver.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m., at St. Paul’s

Coach: Spencer Emerson (1st season). Career: 0-0.

Strengths: Talent at skill positions

Concerns: Implementing new system

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Emerson, hired as coach after stints as the offensive coordinator at the University of Chicago and head coach at Falmouth High (Maine), is looking to overhaul the culture. He’s joined by new defensive coordinator Reggie Garrett, who coached at the University of Maine and Temple, and new offensive coordinator Jimmy DeMartino, a Wakefield firefighter and former head coach at Mystic Valley. Junior quarterback Harrison Kucharski will run a shotgun spread offense using horizontal concepts to spread out defenses. Senior captain Liam Corman returns as the lead back and top cornerback Christian McGrail will also start at slot receiver. In his first football season, baseball standout Kyle Derderien will play receiver and CJ Ford (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) will be an asset at tight end and defensive end. Junior Harry Nwobi is the lead edge rusher and Collin Howard, Noah Humphrey, and Buggy Lyon are the returns on the offensive line.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m., vs. Roxbury Latin

Coach: Casey Day (17th season). Career: 82-48.

Strengths: Quarterback and Defensive front

Concerns: Challenging schedule

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Rory Funke, a dual-threat QB from Needham, is back, and rushed for 100 yards in Saturday’s 21-14 victory at Suffield Academy. Dexter graduated heavy hitters up front, but still has Nate Brou (6-foot-5, 320 pounds), Tommy Mahoney (6-4, 300), and Cam Kenney (6-3, 285) to anchor the line along with transfers Caden Blanchet (Lawrence Academy) and Maksim Curreri (Andover). A pair of former Malden Catholic standouts, four-star recruit Jeremiah Figaro (edge) and the versatile Anthony Wadland, are on board. Linebacker Drew Silvia (Bridgewater-Raynham) and cornerback Trevor Gardner (Xaverian) are two more impact transfers. Dexter returns eight defensive starters in total, including senior captain Charles Carpenter-Simms (Delaware commit) at safety, speedy linebacker Edem Kplorfia, and senior defensive linemen Frankie Miller and Jensey Ramos.

Season opener: Friday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m., at Suffield Academy

Coach: Luke Boria (1st season). Career: 0-8.

Strengths: Offensive line

Outlook: Hired in April, Boria got a full season to recruit and brought in eight new players to help Govs bounce back from a down year. Receivers Jayden Wilbon (Leominster) and Braydon Fowler (Newburyport), 6-foot-6 tight end/linebacker Chase Dowling (Pentucket) are among the reinforcements, and Wyatt Ayers (Central Catholic) and German national Jakob Witt (6-foot-1, 250) will bolster the offensive line. Dartmouth-bound senior Tiger Xiong is a leading edge rusher who returns as a two-way lineman along with Owen Denio, Brandon Hennessey, and Jackson Eichen. Porter Lalime will get first crack at backfield snaps and Aiden Bly and Gus Psaradelis are the top returners at wide receiver and defensive back. Look for senior Kolby Buddenhagen to lead the linebacking corps. Tyler Kasztejna will start at quarterback, with Nate Kreft also receiving reps.

Season opener: Friday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m., vs. Tabor

Coach: Karim Hill (2nd season). Career: 1-7.

Strengths: Defensive line

Concerns: Replacing lead tailback

Outlook: The defensive front will be the strongest group with All-NEPSAC honorable mention Nathan Whitted (6-foot-4, 330 pounds) leading a group of four returners, along with linebackers Teddy Stubbs and Teri Langetieg. Defensive backs Justin Lei and Sam Kim also return and will start at receiver. JP Allard and Bill Wyche return on the the offensive line to protect new quarterback Zander Clark (Shrewsbury) and block for lead back Peter Adovasio, who is also a staple at linebacker. Angus Dent, Terrance Daniels, and Tate Lawson will add depth at tight end and across the defensive line.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3:30 p.m., at Portsmouth Abbey

Coach: Jason Swepson (9th season). Career: 30-29.

Strengths: Quarterback and offensive line

Concerns: Inexperienced linebackers

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: The Spartans will lean on third-year quarterback Jayden Campbell and other key returners at the skill positions, including lead back Dillon Dulong and receivers Malcolm Mason and Isaiah Green. Senior captain Tim Jaracz (6-foot-3, 280 pounds) anchors the offensive and defensive line along with returners Kanak Kanade (6-4, 285), Liam Song, and tight ends CJ Lopes and Liam Eder-Linell. Hanover’s Kellan Balducci transferred in to provide depth at receiver and in the secondary, and Cole Carney (6-3), a tight end/linebacker from Hopkinton, transferred up from Tabor Academy. Newcomers David Santiago, Alex Mohammed-Rodriguez, and Madsen Louissaint add more depth in the trenches.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m., vs. Thayer

Coach: Scott Woodward (3rd season). Career: 12-6.

Concerns: Overall inexperience

Outlook: With 15 new starters, Middlesex did well to compete at Pingree (20-14 loss) in Saturday’s opener. The leaders up front are Williams-bound senior Vincent Petti (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) and Amherst-bound senior Leo Affenzeller (6-7, 260). Junior captain Nate Keeler (6-4, 225) is stellar at tight end and senior captain Warren Blake (6-2, 205) is expected to break out on the other edge. Senior captain Owen Beauvais is going to be a top target for quarterback Ryan Millard (Hopkinton), and Tommy Callaghan captains the defense at free safety. Watch out for junior defensive end Roark Lick (6-2, 230) rushing off the edge. Middlesex will host Nobles Sept. 26 at its new $50 million facility named the “Curtis Center” which has a grass field that Woodward called the nicest in New England, including colleges.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., at Pingree

Coach: Mike Mason (4th season). Career: 15-10.

Strengths: Offensive line and linebacker

Concerns: Integrating new pieces

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: The Mustangs return eight defensive starters from a strong campaign. Milton also welcomes outside linebacker Blake Nelson from Archbishop Williams along with reclassified freshman quarterback Hudson Garrity, a top-ranked prospect. Tailback Jordan Toribio transferred from St. John’s Prep, safety Jordan Barros from Catholic Memorial, and Hungarian junior Gabor Balint Buncsak (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) bolsters an experienced offensive line. Ben Holschlag, Dion Kitsos, and Dan Nichols also return at linebacker and Osiris Niven is a three-starter on the defensive line. Look for Ben Allen, Zahir Mitchell, and Deacon Evriviades to make plays at receiver and contribute at cornerback along with junior Nate Walsh. West Point-bound kicker Jonah Selter will give Milton an advantage on special teams.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m., at St. Sebastian’s

Coach: Bob Moore (1st season). Career: 47-42-1 (2004-15 at Nobles).

Strengths: Skill positions

Concerns: Depth on the interior line and at linebacker

Outlook: Moore guided the Bulldogs for 11 seasons before working as an assistant for the past decade, mostly as defensive coordinator. Now the 26-year teacher at Nobles is head coach with nine returners on offense, led by All-NEPSAC receivers Nate Pichardo and Braylen Jenkins. Senior Thomas Hall will step into a bigger role as a third receiver and junior tailback Jonah Bazinet is the top candidate for carries. Seniors Shane Barry and Naeem Logan are competing for the starting quarterback job ahead of the opener at Middlesex. The offensive line will have some new pieces with Jameson O’Neill (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) serving as the most experienced returner. Defensive end Luke Grossman will set the edge in front of a new linebacking corps of Brody Sambucci, Raul Cruz, and Johnny Fitzsimmons.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2:30 p.m., at Middlesex

Coach: Ernie Adams (1st season). Career: 1-0.

Strengths: Quarterback and linebackers

Concerns: Staying healthy

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Ernie Adams (’71), “the man behind the curtain” during the Patriots dynastic run, is the interim coach and will be at the helm at least one more season. “I’m retired, but this is a lot of fun,” Adams said. He’s integrating 14 new players, led by reclassified junior QB Landon Husereau, who smashed Rhode Island records with 90 touchdown passes over three seasons at Westerly High; he had two TD strikes in Saturday’s 28-23 win over Hotchkiss. Post-grad Ubie Zaid and senior captain Jun An have been electric as ball carriers and on special teams and Andover’s own Michael Vallarelli (6-foot-7, 225 pounds) is a force at tight end. Scott Carmicheal (6-4, 285), Patty Lynch (6-1, 310), and Michael Beauvais (6-3, 270) are the main blockers up front and sophomore Mike Despres is a disrupter on the defensive line. Hamilton-Wenham three-sport star Caden Schrock joins senior captain Nathaniel McCormick to form a talented linebacking corps and Norwell graduate Will Corbin has been terrific at cornerback.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m., vs. Hotchkiss

Coach: Pat Downey (3rd season). Career: 9-7.

Strengths: Leadership and experience

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: With an senior class that features six all-conference players, Pingree scored an 20-14 opening win over Middlesex, extending its home winning streak to six games. Pat Downey’s son, Colt (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), is a physical presence at receiver and junior captain Rex Braillard will start on the opposite side of the formation. Junior Jake Medeiros (6-2, 302) leads the offensive line and quarterback Jack Spear (6-1, 187) is back along with twins Ryan and Ray Castillo, two staples on the offensive and defensive line. Baron DiMeco is a playmaker out of the backfield and Joyce Pimentel is another physical receiver who will start at linebacker. Liam Roberts (6-1, 210) and Joe Trunfio (6-0, 255) are two more key pieces in the trenches.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., vs. Middlesex

Coach: Randdy Lindsey (7th season). Career: 32-13.

Strengths: Rushing attack

Concerns: Depth on defensive front

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Rivers will continue to ride returning Class C Player of the Year Jalen Morris (committed to Marist), who tallied 1,219 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the Redhawks to the NEPSAC Class C Championship. Reclassified junior Jace Lyons (Waltham), will step in at quarterback behind a line that returns Cole Brown, Eli Natapov-White, and Nehemiah Onujiogu. Nico Dellarocca will transition from fullback to right guard. Max Murray is ready to roll at receiver after injuring his shoulder early last season and senior captain Jackson Grove is another threat out wide. Sophomores Rocco Themistocles and Chase Quandt can spell Morris with a few carries and play alongside the two-year captain in the defensive secondary. Senior captain AJ DeSantis will lead the defensive line under new defensive coordinator Mark Lederhos, who enters his third year on staff.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m., vs. St. George’s

Coach: Steve Brennan (1st season). Career: 0-0.

Strengths: Athleticism at skill positions

Concerns: Inexperienced quarterback and offensive line

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Steve Brennan is in his first season at Roxbury Latin after 15 years at MIT, including the last six as offensive coordinator. He hired MIT graduate Charlie Magaw (2021) as special teams coordinator, and former Notre Dame kicker Jon Doerer has been promoted to defensive coordinator. The Dragons will rebuild with two returning starters, senior lineman Warren Hu, and junior kicker/punter Jack Mitchell. Sophomore James Boccuzzi will step into a role on the offensive line and Tommy Cloutier will be a key receiver and defensive back. Freshman Hans Arrazola is the lead candidate for tailback snaps and freshman Teddy Davis (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) will step in as a dual-threat quarterback. Junior captain Liam Millsom and junior Cam Brown add depth at receiver in a spread attack and sophomore Ashton Antoine is a player to watch on the defensive line.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m., at Brooks

Coach: Joe Lang (4th season). Career: 7-16.

Strengths: Skill positions and defensive line

Concerns: Size on the offensive line

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: After a winless campaign, the Dragons return 20 players and added a number of talented pieces to compete in the NEPSAC Class C grouping. Senior linemen Charlie Ross and Truman Brooks are back in the trenches along with hometown hero Aristo Amarant, a junior defensive end from Middletown, R.I. Sophomore Tyler Weeks, of Plymouth, adds some depth at center and defensive tackle and Austrian national Samuel Doujak (6-foot-5, 325 pounds) will be a big addition up front. St. George’s also welcomes QB Burke Lombardi, who transferred from Nantucket and reclassified to 2029. Returning tailback Sam Ferrol and newcomer Syer Copeland, of Cambridge, will handle most of the backfield touches and Ashden Duverne (Woburn) and Joel McFarlin (Lowell) are new receivers to watch.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m., at Rivers

Coach: Ken Goodwin (4th season). Career: 12-13.

Strengths: Size and athleticism at skill positions

Concerns: Overall inexperience

Outlook: In his third year, Goodwin directed the Lions to their first NEPSAC bowl game, tying for the most wins in the program’s 139-year history. There are holes (eight graduates, including four scholarship players). But quarterback Craig Haas (committed to Dickinson) was a first-team all-league selection. Sam Surgento enters his fourth year at tailback and standout basketball player CJ Farrell leads the receiving corps along with Dharyus Sisay and newcomer Troy Durand. Logan Prock (brother of Indiana-bound quarterback Lukas Prock) and Jake Cullinan (Class of ’29) both transferred from Wellesley, adding depth to the skill positions. Up front, the Winged Lions return Harvard-bound tackle Will Li (6-foot-6, 305 pounds), Turner Wheeler (6-1, 285), and Stone Agwuna (6-1, 305). Eli Rosen, an all-NEPSAC tight end, will lead the linebacking corps along with Rohan Richards.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2:30 p.m., vs. St. Luke’s

Coach: Dan Burke (8th season). Career: 27-20.

Strengths: Athleticism at skill positions

Concerns: Inexperience on defense

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: After battling to a .500 record with only one returning offensive starter last fall, the Arrows are pointing up on that side of the ball. Gus Baer (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), Steve Ciampoli (6-4, 280), Sean Sullivan (6-3, 265), and Joe Nauyokas (6-2, 255) form an experienced offensive line and will be flanked by talented tight ends Michael Walbridge (6-3, 210) and Ben Walker (6-3, 260). Senior quarterback Duke Ciongoli and fellow captain Will Haggerty will lead a spread attack and Jake Beck (committed to Tufts for lacrosse) will make an impact at running back in his first season on the gridiron. Reidar Davies (a Catholic Memorial transfer) should also handle touches out of the backfield. Sebs brings in several new assistant coaches this year: Matt Comella and Thomas Proia (running backs and linebackers), Finn Dirstine (offensive line), Lou Hansen (tight ends), and Brady Olson will help the quarterbacks after wrapping his player career at St. Lawrence last fall.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m., vs. Milton Academy

Coach: Jeffrey Moore (4th season). Career: 37-11 at Tabor and Loomis Chaffee.

Strengths: Offensive line, quarterback, and secondary

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: A force in the Northeast, Tabor dropped its opener, 23-14, to Williston Northampton, snapping an 11-game win streak. The Seawolves are loaded at nearly every position group, but graduating three elite pieces from their defensive front has left them vulnerable to injuries on the line. On the offensive side, no team can match Tabor’s size, with Botond Varga (6-foot-8, 310 pounds, Syracuse), Grady Holmes (6-8, 290, Buffalo), and Dominic Maser (6-7, 280, Boston College). Senior captain Ryan Davis (6-2, 295) and Catholic Memorial transfer Quinn Adams (6-4, 285) round out the line. Coming off a huge season with 32 total touchdowns, Virginia Tech-bound quarterback Peter Bourque can work with four returning receivers, including Kaiden Drinkwater, and Hingham transfer JT Reale. Senior captain Brady Scott, of Reading, leads a loaded secondary that now includes four-star cornerback Grayden Reid (Louisville, Ky). And the linebacking unit is stacked with Catholic Memorial transfer Liam Conlon joining Quinn Venesta (Temple) and multi-sport standout Landen O’Neil, who amassed 90 tackles last season.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m., vs. Williston Northampton

Coach: Casey DeAndrade (1st season). Career: 0-0.

Strengths: Depth at skill positions

Concerns: Integrating new pieces

Playing surface: Artificial turf

Outlook: Sophomore quarterback Dray Evriviades is primed for his second varsity season with former Globe All-Scholastic (East Bridgewater) and University of New Hampshire standout Casey DeAndrade taking over at Thayer. DeAndrade coached at UNH and Holy Cross for eight seasons before coaching defensive backs at St. Sebastian’s. He will deploy a stable of talented receivers in a multiple spread attack, with transfers Jaiden Johnson (Catholic Memorial) and Brendan Sacco (Hanover) playing big roles. Joey Fisher is a breakout candidate at receiver and Tedsen Pierre and Finn Forger will split carries out of the backfield. Tight ends Sully Carven (Hanover) and Junior Conover are edge setters and Thayer returns offensive linemen Gavin Young, Christian Hirsemann, Will Freeman, and Davens Lazarre. The defensive secondary is another strong group with senior captain Dante LaMonica (Dorchester) and sophomore Archer Liebsch joining Johnson, who will organize the back end at free safety. Sacco is also expected to help call the defense at middle linebacker and Noren Iyamu is a breakout candidate at defensive end. Thayer’s home opener Oct. 3 against Brooks will played on a new turf field as part of a revamped athletics complex.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m., at Lawrence Academy

From the source Nate Weitzer can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @nweitzer7.