By HockomockSports.com Staff

2023 Kelley-Rex Football Preview

Attleboro

2022 Record: 5-6
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Coach: Jim Winters

Key/Returning Players: Matt Harvie, Sr., QB/DB; Adrian Rivera, Sr., RB/LB; Cameron Gray, Jr., OL/DL; Jackson Huntington, Sr., TE/DE; Luke Riendeau, Sr., OL/DL; Dan Haist, Sr., OL/DL; Brody McKenna, Sr., WR/DB;

Outlook:
Attleboro is aiming to bounce back after finishing sixth in a very difficult Kelley-Rex last year, and there’s a lot to be optimistic about. The Bombardiers begin their second year under head coach Jim Winters and now have a year of experience in his system. And overall experience is a huge plus for this year’s squad with plenty of familiar faces returning to the lineup.

Senior Matt Harvie is back at quarterback for his third year as the start and he’ll have some good protection with returning starters and seniors Cameron Gray, Dan Haist, and Luke Riendeau back on the offensive line. Harvie is a dual-threat quarterback with the ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Senior Jackson Huntington will give a boost on the line at tight end and provide a pass-catching option for Harvie along with senior Brody McKenna, one of the Bombardiers’ top targets a year ago. One of Attleboro’s top weapons will be senior running back Adrian Rivera, who had a breakout 2022 season for the Bombardiers.

There’s been a bit more turnover on the defensive side of the ball for Attleboro. Huntington is one of the few familiar faces returning to the defensive line but he will be a big piece of the defense. Both Rivera and McKenna provide stability at linebacker while the Bombardiers will field an entirely new secondary. Seniors Nathaniel Lally, Malachi Jefferson, and Aiden Pantages have all impressed so far in camp vying for a role in the secondary while senior Kam Marsh, senior Adam Wolf, senior Dennys Milian, and junior Alex Suarez look to bolster the defensive line.

“With a full year in the system, the kids have hit the ground running with plenty of competition at every position,” Winters said. “We just finished a very good week of camp. With a year under our belts from the new coaching staff we are looking to rise the ranks of what is arguably the toughest league in the state.”

Franklin

2022 Record: 7-3 (Kelley-Rex division co-champions)
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 State Quarterfinals
Coach: Eian Bain

Key/Returning Players: Derek Dubriske, Sr., WR/DB; Brendan Larivee, Sr., FS; Jack Nutter, Sr., MLB; Michael Davide, Sr., RB/LB; Cody Howard, Sr., OLB; Ben Ryan, Sr., OL/DL; Brandon Large, Sr., OL/DL; Jermaine Flecha, Sr., SS; Julian Rampino, Jr., DE; Jack Murphy, Jr., OL/DL;

Outlook:
For the second straight year, Franklin graduated a talented group of seniors but coming off back-to-back Kelley-Rex division titles, expectations are still high for head coach Eian Bain and the rest of the Panthers.

Franklin will mostly be an inexperienced group to start the season but the Panthers do possess some key players in key spots all throughout the lineup. Having those veteran presence on the field will be very important as the Panthers turn to sophomore James Bruso will look to take over as the starting quarterback in Week 1 at Wachusett. There will be a familiar face in the backfield as senior Michael Davide will carry the load in the run game, and he’s got some strength to run behind. Senior Ben Ryan is back at tackle, senior Brandon Large returns at guard, and junior Jack Murphy steps in at center to bolster the run game for Davide and protection for Bruso.

Franklin has had some of the best receivers in the league the last couple of seasons like Luke Davis and Shane Kindred, and the next man up could be senior Derek Dubriske. Coming off a strong junior season playing mostly in the slot, Dubriske gives the Panthers a reliable go-to option they can count on. There’s some good talent on the defensive side of the ball as well, with returners Brendan Larivee, Jack Nutter, and Cody Howard back in the mix. Larivee will anchor the secondary alongside senior Jermaine Flecha, Nutter and Howard headline the linebackers group, and junior Julian Rampino is a name to keep an eye on along the defensive line.

“We need to stay focused on the process and less on the results to find success,” Bain said.

King Philip

2022 Record: 9-3
2022 Finish: Division 2 State Finalist
Coach: Brian Lee

Key/Returning Players: Tommy McLeish, Sr., QB; Mason Campbell, Sr., WR/DB; Ethan Pescione, Sr., RB/LB; Danny Silveira, Sr., TE/DL; Jack Berthiaume, Sr., RB/DB; David Constantine, Sr., WR/DB; Luke Danson, Sr., OL/DL; Logan Van Vaerenewyck, Sr., OL/DL; Sean King, Sr., OL/DL; Aiden Astorino, Jr., RB/LB;

Outlook:
Following back-to-back state championship appearances, expectations remain very high for King Philip entering the 2023 season.

The core of last year’s squad returns but the Warriors certainly have some holes to plug following the graduation of key players. Offensively, the Warriors have an edge with senior Tommy McLeish back under center at quarterback. McLeish is just one of a handful of returning quarterbacks in the Hock and is looking to build on a successful junior year. He’s coming off a strong offseason and was voted as a team captain for all of his hard work, something head coach Brian Lee noted isn’t easy to do as a three-sport athlete. Aiden Astorino is a familiar face in the backfield and should see an expanded role this year, following the lead of senior fullback Jack Berthiaume.

McLeish doesn’t have many of the same weapons as last year but tight end Danny Silveria is one of them and will be a big threat in the passing game. Mason Campbell, David Holland, Hayden Schmitz, Tommy Kilroy, and David Constantine are all in the mix for reps as well. The line has three returners and should be a strength for KP. Sean King and Logan Van Vaerenewyck return at guard, Luke Danson is back at left tackle, and Matt Terio and Drew Herlin are looking to complete the offensive line. The defensive line is another plus for KP, which will feature a lot of the same faces. Astorino gained some valuable experience at linebacker last year and could be among the best at the position this year. He will be flanked by Ethan Pescione and Aidan McDonagh. Constantine is the lone returner from last year’s secondary; he’ll be joined by the likes of Kilroy, Schmitz, and Brandon Nicastro.

“It’s always the same for us, we want to be competitive and we want to be physical,” Lee said. “We play in a very tough league with a lot of good coaches. We’re trying to get prepared as much as we can, and fingers crossed we can stay healthy. Everyone is so good in this league so sometimes it can really come down to who’s healthy at the end of the year.”

Milford

2022 Record: 10-2 (Kelley-Rex division co-champions)
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 State Semifinals
Coach: Dale Olson

Key/Returning Players: Nick Araujo, Sr., RB/LB; Aidan Watson, Sr., WR/DB; Andrew Rivera, Jr., WR/DB; Keith Lee, Sr., OL/DL; Anthony Dew, Sr., OL/DL; Oliver McKee, Sr., OL/DL; CJ Farrell, Soph., WR/DB;

Outlook:
Milford will be up against some stiff competition in its non-league slate, through its Kelley-Rex schedule, and in the Division 3 postseason bracket. But despite graduating a very talented group that helped the Hawks win their first Hock division title, it looks like this program has reloaded again this year.

There will be a new face at quarterback this season after a successful two-year stint from Evan Cornelius, who is now playing baseball at Rollins College. Senior lefty Owen Callahan and junior Jack Buckley are locked in a healthy battle for the starting job. Whoever gets the starting job in Week 1 will get to work behind some talented offensive linemen as the Hawks return some key players including returning starters seniors Keith Lee, Tony Dew, and Oliver McKee. The Hawks also boast some of the best passing options with senior Aidan Watson, junior Andrew Rivera, and sophomore CJ Farrell. There is opportunity in the backfield after Romeo Holland, who was one of the best backs in the league last year, graduated.

Senior Nick Araujo is one of the top returning players in the state because of his versatility. He’s established himself as one of the best kickers in the state, highlighted by a 52-yard field goal last season, he is a strong runner, and he’s just about everywhere on the defensive end from his inside linebacker position. Milford will rely on a lot of players to play both sides of the ball, including Rivera and Farrell in the secondary.

“This senior class is looking to take the next step with this program,” Olson said. “We should have a competitive team this year.”

North Attleboro

2022 Record: 8-3
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 State Semifinals
Coach: Mike Strachan

Key/Returning Players: Chris Hanewich, Sr., RB/DB; Ryan Bannon, Jr., TE/LB; Lucas Mattson, Sr., OL/DL; Chase Frisoli, Jr., QB; Nolan McLaughlin, Sr., OL/DL; Bryce Kiser, Jr., WR/DB; Patrick Hamilton, Jr., OL/DL;

Outlook:
Head coach Mike Strachan inherited a very large senior class in his first year at the helm a season ago. After graduating some two dozen players, Strachan has about half as many seniors but a large junior class with a good amount of experience gives the Rocketeers high hopes for 2023.

Junior Chase Frisoli is back for his third year under center for the Rocketeers and is poised for a big year after showing improvement in each of the past two seasons. He’s one of five returning starters offensively, which includes senior offensive linemen Lucas Mattson and Nolan McLaughlin. Junior Ryan Bannon is back at tight end and junior Bryce Kiser returns at receiver after showing some real potential as a sophomore. The Rocketeers are looking for three new starters on the line as well as a new back after losing reliable options Nathan Schultz and Greg Berthiaume to graduation.

North Attleboro is a bit more inexperienced on the defensive side with only four returning starters but that has left plenty of opportunity for new faces to emerge. Bannon was one of the top young players in the league last year and could be one of the top linebackers in the Hock this go around. The secondary has the most experience with Kiser back at corner and senior Chris Hanewich (who also plays running back) back making plays at safety. Junior Patrick Hamilton is the lone returning starter along the defensive line for the Rocketeers, who are hoping to overcome their youthful inexperience in a hurry with a tough non-league schedule to start: Feehan, Foxboro, and Leominster, who went 7-1 in the regular season last year.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming season and really look forward to Chase Frisoli to have a big year for us,” Strachan said. “He will be leading the offense and Ryan Bannon will be the core of our defense. We are a young team, but we have a strong nucleus on both sides of the ball.”

Taunton

2022 Record: 6-5
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Coach: Brad Sidwell

Key/Returning Players: Ethan Harris, Sr., RB/LB; Ryan Keenan, Sr., RB/LB; Malakai Mchady, Sr., WR/LB; Dmitrius Shearrion, Sr., WR/DB; Jose Touron, Sr., WR/DB; Bryan Joanis, Sr., OL/DL; Jadrian Varnado, Sr., OL/DL; Anthony Pettijohn, Sr., WR/DB; Elijah Prophete, Jr., RB/LB; Nasir Arguello, Jr., WR/DB; Dylan Keenan, Soph., QB; Johnny Escobalez, Jr., WR/DB; Carlos Ramos, Jr., OL/DL;

Outlook:
Taunton has followed an upward trajectory over the past couple of seasons under head coach Brad Sidwell and with 21 seniors on this year’s roster, the goal is to keep up the improvement.

The Tigers return some of their top talent in key places all over the lineup, on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Taunton has a lot of speed at the skill positions including seniors Jose Touron and Dmitrius Shearrion. Touron had a breakout junior season and is among the best pass catchers in the league while Shearrion is a threat to break free on any given play. Seniors Malakai Mchady and juniors Nasir Arguello and Johnny Escobalez look to add depth at the skill spots. The Tigers will have to replace longtime starter Jacob Leonard at quarterback as well as Malachi Johnson, who emerged as a top running back last year. Seniors Ryan Keenan and Ethan Harris will look to produce in the ground game while sophomore Dylan Keenan steps in at quarterback.

The line has some size but will need to incorporate some new faces on both sides of the ball. Senior Bryan Joanis will anchor the line as one of the most experienced players while Sidwell will turn to senior Jadrian Varnado (6’1, 235) and junior Carlos Ramos (6’2, 240) to bolster the line. The Tigers have a strong group of linebackers to anchor the defensive unit. Harris is returning after a terrific junior year and could be among the best at the position in the Hock. He’ll be joined there by Keenan, Mchady, and talented junior Elijah Prophete. The secondary will feature a lot of two-way players like Shearrion, Touron, Arguello, Escobalez, and senior Anthony Pettijohn.

“I’m excited to begin the season with this group after a productive offseason, preseason practices, and scrimmages,” Sidwell said. We have 21 seniors eager to continue improving our program. Many have been waiting their turn to compete. Need to gain experience through the non-league start of the season as the Hockomock Kelley-Rex is always a challenge.”