2025 Kelley-Rex Division Football Preview

2025 Kelley-Rex Division Football Preview

Attleboro

2024 Record: 4-7
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Coach: Jim Winters

Key/Returning Players: Nick Andrade, Sr., OL; Boston Baldwin, Jr., LB; Scott Bennett, Sr., OL; James Destito, Jr., WR; Brayden Jones, Jr., QB; Kyle McCue, Sr., LB; Madden Murray, Jr., WR/DB; Jayden Mowatt, Jr., DB; Jesiah Raphael, So., WR; TJ Sutherland, Jr., DL; Landon Vieira, Sr., LB; Logan Wild, Sr., OL/DL; Noah Williams, Sr., OL/DL.

Outlook:
Attleboro is coming off a 4-7 season that included a trip to the state tournament, highlighted by a signature win on the road at Milford and competitive showings against league powers Franklin and Taunton. The Kelley-Rex Division is always one of the toughest in the state, and the Bombardiers will once again challenge themselves in non-league play with games against Fairhaven, last year’s Division 5 state finalist, local rival Bishop Feehan, and former league foe Bridgewater-Raynham. With a talented junior class stepping into leadership roles and several experienced returners on the line, expectations are high for Attleboro to be in the mix as a contender this fall.

The Bombardiers return four starters on each side of the ball and will be led by captains Brayden Jones, Madden Murray, and Logan Wild. Jones, last year’s HockomockSports Underclassman of the Year, returns at quarterback and has put in a strong offseason of work and will look to build on last year’s experience guiding Attleboro’s spread attack. He will have Murray, a dynamic playmaker who is a threat at receiver and in the secondary, as a top target in the passing game. In the trenches, Wild and senior Noah Williams are both three-year starters and they will anchor an offensive line that could be one of the biggest and strongest the program has had in recent years, while newcomers Nick Andrade and Scott Bennett add depth up front. Junior James Destito and sophomore Jesiah Raphael will be new options on the perimeter at receiver. One of the big questions on offense will be finding a go-to running back, but Winters has a handful of players in competition for the role.

On defense, Attleboro will rely on the strength of its line, where Williams and Wild return to lead a deep and talented group that will look to set the tone at the point of attack. Senior linebacker Kyle McCue is back in the middle and Murray is a key piece in the secondary, while Boston Baldwin, Landon Vieira, TJ Sutherland, and Jayden Mowatt are among the newcomers expected to step into important roles. The biggest challenge for the Bombardiers will be replacing most of their back seven after graduation.

Overall, Attleboro has a mix of size, speed, and athleticism that should allow it to compete with anyone, but youth and depth remain concerns with underclassmen potentially starting in a number of spots on both sides of the ball. If the Bombardiers can settle in quickly and get contributions from their new faces, they have the talent and leadership to make a big jump and be a factor in the division race.

“We’re excited about the group we have,” said Attleboro head coach Jim Winters, now in his fourth season. “Our senior leaders have worked hard, our juniors are stepping up, and while we’ll be young in some spots, we think we have the talent and chemistry to compete every week.”

Franklin

2024 Record: 7-4
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Coach: Todd Kiley

Key/Returning Players: James Bruso, Sr., QB/LB; Keaton Cooper, Sr., OL/DL; Owen Essam, Jr., RB/LB; Quinn Kielty, Sr., WR/DB; Matt Lord, Soph., OL/DL; Jayden Ojukwu, Jr., WR/DB; Adrian Rampino, Sr., OL/DL; Stephon Reed, Sr., WR/DB; Colby Ryan, Jr., RB/DB; Joey Tarentino, Sr., WR/DB; Michael Thompson, Sr., TE/LB; Alex Weber, Sr., RB/LB.

Outlook:
The Panthers are coming off a strong 2024 season under first-year head coach Todd Kiley, who is looking to establish Franklin as a year-in, year-out contender like he did at Holliston. Franklin does have a lot to replace, particularly on offense, as nearly all of last year’s scoring production graduated.

Senior Alex Weber is one of the top linebackers in the Hockomock League and will take on an expanded role on offense at running back. Up front, senior Keaton Cooper and senior Adrian Rampino give Franklin experience and size on the line, while senior Stephon Reed, senior Joey Tarentino, junior Jayden Ojukwu, and senior Quinn Kielty will provide weapons on the outside. Senior Michael Thompson is another target at tight end who adds versatility to the passing game. At quarterback, there is a competitive battle between freshman Ethan Edmunds, senior James Bruso, and junior Tyler Fernsebner, with all three in the mix to take over under center.

Franklin’s defense also brings back key players at every level. Weber and Bruso lead the linebacker group, while Rampino, Cooper, and sophomore Matt Lord anchor the defensive line. The secondary has depth and athleticism with Reed, Tarentino, Ojukwu, and Kielty.

“Although inexperienced in a lot of areas, we are excited about the guys that will be filling the spots of our talented graduating seniors,” said Kiley. “We will be well balanced offensively in our run/pass game as our playmakers have worked hard in the offseason to put themselves in a position to have impact seasons.”

King Philip

2024 Record: 12-1 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Super Bowl
Coach: Brian Lee

Key/Returning Players: Lex Chatham, Sr., OL/DL; Keigan Canto-Osorio, Sr., RB/LB; Nate Crisci, Sr., OL/DL; Kyle Danson, Sr., RB/LB; Zach Gebhard, Sr., QB; Ryan Greenwood, Sr., RB/DL; Tallan King, Sr., RB/LB; Liam King, Sr., OL/DL; Brodie McDonald, Sr., TE/LB; Liam McGrath, Sr., WR/DB; Patrick Terio, Jr., WR/DB.

Outlook:
For most programs, reaching Gillette Stadium is a dream. For King Philip, it has almost become routine. The Warriors have made it to the Division 2 state final in seven of the last eight years, winning three titles in that span. This fall could bring a bigger challenge after graduating a talented senior class, but KP once again has a mix of proven players and new faces eager to step into bigger roles.

Senior quarterback Zach Gebhard is back after a solid junior campaign. He gained confidence and improved as the season went on, and now the challenge will be building chemistry with a new group of weapons. Senior Liam McGrath and junior Patrick Terio will look to fill those roles on the outside, with McGrath providing size and toughness and Terio adding quickness and versatility. Senior tight end Brodie McDonald (6’5) gives Gebhard a big target and doubles as a strong blocker in the ground game.

As always, the running game will be the foundation of the Warriors’ offense. Senior Keigan Canto-Osorio brings a dangerous mix of speed and power, senior Tallan King is a bruising back who punishes defenses, and senior Ryan Greenwood was nearly unstoppable in short-yardage situations last year. Up front, KP continues its tradition of dominant offensive lines, with senior standouts Nate Crisci (Bentley commit), Liam King, and Lex Chatham leading the way.

Defensively, the Warriors will once again be tough. Tallan King is among the best linebackers in the state and is joined by MacDonald and senior Kyle Danson in a strong group. The biggest question mark will be the secondary, which lost a terrific unit that made history last year with three players named to the HockomockSports Hock 5 — the most ever at one position from a single team.

Milford

2024 Record: 5-6
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 8
Coach: Dale Olson

Key/Returning Players: Ryan Burns, Sr., OL/DL; Dylan Burns, Sr., TE/LB; Ethan Charczenko, Sr., TE/LB; Vincent Loscerbo, Soph., QB; Will Lee, Sr., OL/DL; Anthony Mastroianni, Sr., OL/DL; Dio Rodriguez, Sr., WR/DB; Jason Stokes, Sr., WR/DB.

Outlook:
Numbers may be down in the Milford program this fall, but expectations remain high for the Hawks as they look to continue their tradition of being a tough matchup in the Kelley-Rex Division. Head coach Dale Olson has guided Milford to success in recent years despite heavy graduation losses, and the Hawks will once again rely on their ability to develop new contributors around a core group of proven veterans.

Milford will lean on a strong senior class to set the tone. Senior wide receiver Jason Stokes and senior wide receiver/defensive back Dio Rodriguez provide speed and playmaking ability on the perimeter, while senior tight ends Dylan Burns and Ethan Charczenko give the Hawks size and versatility in the passing game and on defense. Senior linemen Ryan Burns, Will Lee, and Anthony Mastroianni anchor the trenches and bring valuable experience back to both sides of the ball. That will be a strength especially early on as the Hawks incorporate some new faces in the lineup. Sophomore Vincent Loscerbo will take over at quarterback, adding a new dynamic to the offense, as senior Joey McGee will start the season sidelined with an injury.

The Hawks have several strengths to build on, including returning starters up front and speed at the skill positions on offense, while overall team speed will be a hallmark of the defense. Staying healthy and building depth will be critical, but Milford has the talent and leadership to remain competitive in a challenging division.

“The numbers are very low in the program and we will need to stay healthy, but we have a great senior class that knows how to compete in big games,” said Olson.

Sharon

2024 Record: 0-11
2024 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Ben Shuffain

Key/Returning Players: Jaymani Ayuso, Sr., OL/DL; Aschiwat Dempsey, So., OL/DL; Ian Ford, Sr., WR/LB; Matt Khrakovsky, Sr., ATH/DB; Connor Lydeard, Jr., OL/DL; Ryan McDonagh, Jr., TE/DE; Jack Muldowney, Jr., OL/DL; Brady Shuffain, Jr., QB; Joseph Seaman, Jr., ATH/DB; Brayden Salkin, Jr., HB/LB; Randy Weng, Sr., RB/LB.

Outlook:
Sharon struggled a year ago while competing in the rugged Kelley-Rex Division, one of the toughest in the state. This season, the Eagles move back to an independent schedule, which should provide a chance to be more competitive on a weekly basis and continue the process of rebuilding the program. With a large group of returning starters and an offseason focused on strength and development, expectations are higher as the Eagles look to turn the corner.

The Eagles return eight starters on offense and nine on defense, giving second-year head coach Ben Shuffain plenty of experience to lean on. Senior Matt Khrakovsky, junior Joseph Seaman, and senior running back Randy Weng will provide speed and playmaking ability at the skill positions, while junior quarterback Brady Shuffain returns to guide the offense after showing leadership and composure in his first varsity season under center. Sharon also has added depth with players like Xavier Cardoso joining the mix at receiver.

The work put in during the offseason has been evident, with nearly every projected starter hitting the 1,000-pound club in the weight room. Up front, senior lineman Jaymani Ayuso and junior tight end/defensive end Ryan McDonagh bring size and strength on both sides of the ball. Junior Brayden Salkin will be a leader at linebacker, serving as the middle linebacker and defensive signal-caller. Juniors Connor Lydeard and Jack Muldowney and sophomore Aschiwat Dempsey add depth and toughness to the line.

Sharon’s strength this fall should be its experience and overall physical development, while the key will be turning those offseason gains into consistent performances on the field. With improved depth, a more favorable schedule, and a core of players who gained valuable varsity experience last year, the Eagles will be aiming to put together their strongest campaign in years.

“The boys have been putting in the time, working to improve all preseason, and have truly embraced a team-first mentality of ‘WE over ME,'” said Shuffain. “We expect this to be one of the strongest campaigns in recent memory.”

Taunton

2024 Record: 6-5
2024 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Brad Sidwell
Key/Returning Players: Matheus Batista, Jr., OL/LB; Will Buffington, Sr., OL/DL; Elias Colon, Jr., OL/DL; Syre Duverna, Jr., TE/LB; Jeremy Knief, Sr., WR/DB; Adam Kerfien, Sr., OL/DL; Dylan Keenan, Sr., QB; Travis Maceachern, Sr., TE/RB/LB; John Marzuolo, Sr., OL/LB; Jose Melendez, Sr., OL/DL; Corbin Melo, Sr., RB/DB; Brayden Salvo, Jr., WR/DB; Dio Silva, Jr., WR/DB; Amari Teixeira, Jr., RB/DB; Wade Teixeira, Jr., OL/DL; Gavin Wetherell, Jr., LB.

Outlook:
Taunton just missed out on the postseason last fall, but the Tigers once again proved to be a tough out in the Kelley-Rex division. Under veteran head coach Brad Sidwell, who enters his 10th season at the helm and has decades of experience in Massachusetts high school football, Taunton continues to find ways to be competitive against some of the state’s best. With a strong nucleus back on both sides of the ball, the Tigers will be looking to get back into the state tournament mix.

Leading the way is senior quarterback Dylan Keenan, one of the top signal callers in the Hockomock League. Keenan was a HockomockSports Hock 5 QB selection as a sophomore and the 2023 Underclassman of the Year, and he will look to cap his career with his best season yet. He will have plenty of weapons to work with, including senior running back Corbin Melo and junior running back Amari Teixeira, while senior wide receiver Jeremy Knief gives Taunton a reliable target on the outside. Senior tight end Syre Duverna and senior Travis Maceachern provide size and versatility at the skill spots.

Up front, Taunton has experience with senior linemen Jose Melendez and Adam Kerfien and junior Elias Colon anchoring the line, but depth remains a concern. Junior Wade Teixeira, senior Will Buffington, and senior John Marzuolo are among the players expected to help strengthen the offensive front.

Defensively, the Tigers bring back five starters, including Melendez and Kerfien on the line, Duverna at linebacker, and Maceachern contributing in the front seven. Newcomers like junior linebacker Gavin Wetherell, junior defensive back Dio Silva, and junior defensive back Brayden Salvo will be counted on to step in right away. The strength of the defense is in the line, while the Tigers continue to build depth in the secondary and linebacker groups.

Overall, Taunton boasts one of the league’s top quarterbacks, a talented group of skill players, and plenty of experience across both sides of the ball. If the Tigers can develop depth along the offensive line and integrate their newcomers, they have the potential to make noise in the Kelley-Rex and push for a playoff spot.

“We’re having a good camp,” Sidwell said. “Lots of improvement still to make if we want to be ready for our difficult schedule. We have over 100 players on all levels, so participation is good. We’re looking forward to the season.”