Greyhound Football Prospects Bright As Season Opener Nears

July 24, 2006

LAST YEAR: the Greyhounds developed into a solid defensive team winning three straight for the first time since 1995 as the team finished 4-6 overall as one of the most improved teams in the region. And, possession problems of years past was repaired as the team rushed for nearly 125 yards-per-game.

The superb defensive careers of linebacker Chris Grogan (Scottsdale, AZ/Brophy Prep) (136-221--357 tackles), linebacker Mike Pruell (Walpole, MA/Walpole) (103-126--229 tackles) and strong safety Gino Meccariello (Southington, CT/Southington) (116-107--223 tackles) are now completed with graduation. Also missing on the defensive side will be three-year starter at corner Matt Vail (Portland, ME/Deering) and nose guard starter Matt Curran (Westminster, MA/Oakmont).

SIGNIFICANT LETTERMEN GONE

Jon BREUER, QB, Lake Oswego, OR (Lake Oswego): 115-for-265, 1,328 yards, 5 tds, 8 int.

Shawn CERRETANI, WR, Melrose, MA (Melrose): in 2005: 28 rec., 427 yards, 3 tds; career 53 rec., 706 yds., 6 tds

Matt CURRAN, NG, Westminster, MA (Oakmont): 10 starts at NG, 8 solo, 35 assists, 43 tackles, 8 tfl, 2 sks, 8 pp, 2 fr

Austin DAVIS, RB, Lakeland, FL (Evangel Christian): 260 att, 1,351 yards, 12 tds, 22 receptions, 174 yards

Chris GROGAN, LB, Scottsdale, AZ (Brophy Prep): 10 starts, 106 tac. (led NE-10), career, 42 gp, 357 tackles

Gino MECCARIELLO, SS, Southington, CT (Southington): 10 starts, 78 tac., 2 int, 6 pd, 5 ff; career, 41 gp, 223 tackles

Mike PRUELL, LB, Walpole, MA (Walpole): 9 starts, 70 tac., 14 tfl, 3.5 sk, 5 pp; career 42 gp, 229 tackles

Dan SAWICKI, OC, Cheshire, CT (Cheshire): 10 starts at offensive center

Matt VAIL, CB, Portland, ME (Deering): 9 starts, 14-12--26 tackles, 4 pd; career 40 gp, 73-63--136 tackles

OFF-SEASON THOUGHTS: third-year head coach CORY BAILEY knew that upgrading the athleticism and speed on the offensive side of the ball was a top priority. The previous season he addressed the lack of size and now the Greyhounds are among the largest teams in the conference.

And, obviously, creating quality depth is an annual item on the agenda. It appears that the Class of 2010 will provide both the speed and athleticism he desired along with adding that depth.

New personnel at key offensive skill positions will be an obstacle to address as the season unfolds. Defensively, despite several key losses, the Hounds have enough depth to once again perform at an all-conference level.

The schedule will be the most challenging in school history as the Greyhounds play three N.C.A.A. playoff teams . . . opening at No. 21 L.I.U.-C.W. Post (September 2) and playing at Southern Connecticut (October 6) and at Division 1A Nicholls State (Thibodaux, LA), the defending Southland Conference champion (October 28).

PUTTING IT ON THE LINE: the lines of scrimmage (both offensively and defensively), for the first time in many years, will be major factors for the Hounds. Four juniors who have played together for three years return including tackles MATT CERINS (Manchester, CT/East Catholic) and DAN WELCH (Woburn, MA/Woburn) and guards MIKE SENELLA (Simi Valley, CA/Bishop Alemany) and MIKE OTTERBEIN (Manchester, CT/Manchester), while versatile senior PATRICK KWEDOR (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee) is expected to take over at center.

On the defensive side, senior JOSH KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) and junior brother JARED KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) will be back to once again raise havoc from their end positions (Josh is a pre-season all-America nominee), while junior PAT CALLAHAN (North Haven, CT/North Haven), junior JEFF ROBERT (Pelham, NH/Pelham) and sophomore TERRY STANFORD (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) are expected to man the middle.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: the Hounds secondary is the capable hands of two all-conference caliber candidates . . . senior captain strong safety PETER MILLIGAN (Melrose, MA/Melrose) (213 career tackles) and sophomore free safety CHRIS MARTINO (Lindcroft, NJ/Middletown South) (57 tackles, 4 interceptions).

Junior wide out JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) (57 career rec., 606 yards) and junior tight end JAKE LONGENECKER (Bedford, NH/Manchester West) (43 career rec., 586 yards) are key returnees on offense.

ALL-CONFERENCE CANDIDATES

Jake BEERS, Jr., WR, 6-1 175, Duxbury, MA (Duxbury)

10 starts, 17 rec., 201 yards, 1 td; career, 57 receptions. 606 yards

Matt CERINS, Jr., OT, 6-4, 280, Manchester, CT (East Catholic)

10 starts at offensive tackle

Jared KELLY, Jr., DE, 6-3, 240, Canton, MA (Xaverian)

10 starts, 54 tackles, 14 tfl, 3.5 sks, 11 pp; 78 career tackles, 25 tfl

Josh KELLY, Sr., DE, 6-4, 245, Canton, MA (Xaverian)

10 starts, 49 tackles, 18 tfl, 6.0 sks, 12 pp; 90 career tackles, 28 tfl

Jake LONGENECKER, Jr., TE, 6-4, 225, Bedford, NH (West)

8 starts, 16 rec., 227 yards; career, 43 receptions, 586 yards

Chris MARTINO, So., DB, 5-11, 190, Lindcroft, NJ (Middletown S.)

5 starts, 29-28--57 tackles, 4 int., 3 pd, 1 pp, 2 fr, 1 ff, 1 bk

Peter MILLIGAN, Sr., SS, 6-2, 215, Melrose, MA (Melrose)

9 starts, 76 tackles, 6 tfl, 1 int, 3 pd, 2 pp; 213 career tackles

Mike SENELLA, Jr., OG, 6-2, 295, Simi Valley, CA (Alemany)

10 starts at offensive guard

TOP NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Jordan BELLIVEAU, QB, 5-11, 200, Millbury, MA (Millbury)

T&G Super Team, 3-time D2 all-star, as senior: 2,120 yds.

David CANNEY, WR, 6-0, 190, Templeton, MA (North Middlesex)

4th-leading scorer (474 pts.) Mass. history (216 led state in 05)

Gene DE VITO, WR, 6-2, 215, Stamford, CT (Trinity Catholic)

two-time FCIAC all-star, all-state (Connecticut) as senior

James DEVORE, DB, 6-2, 170, Trumbull, CT (Trumbull)

13 career interceptions, FCIAC all-star, third-team all-state

Steve HART, DE, 6-4, 230, Clearwater, FL (Countryside)

Pinellas all-star, all-conference (5A), all-Suncoast, 65 tac. as senior

Mike PAGLIONE, LB, 6-0, 215, Mansfield, CT (E.O. Smith)

all-CCC East, all-Colony Conference, team 2002 Class L semis

Dave PAVELETZ, RB, 5-10, 200, Warrior Run, PA (Hanover Area)

all-Wyoming Valley, 1st-team all-Pennsylvania,Times-Leader all-star

Bernard SCOTT, DB, 6-0, 170, St. Petersburg, FL (Admiral Farragut)

2-time Florida 1A star, won 100m (10.8), 200m (22.4) in state track

Marshall THARPE, QB, 6-2, 210, Irvine, CA (Santa Magarita)

Rivals.Com top 10 QB, LA MVP as junior, first-team all-Division I

Matt THIBEAULT, TE, 6-3, 220, Fitchburg, MA (Fitchburg)

2-time Central Mass.star, Sentinel-Enterprise all-star, T&G all-star

Jason VEGA, DB, 5-11, 185, Lawrence, MA (Central Catholic)

all-Merrimack Valley, Eagle-Tribune All-Star, Shriners Classic

Jay YOUNGBLOOD, RB, 5-7, 175, Trumbull, CT (Trumbull)

FCIAC all-star, second-team all-Connecticut

POSITION-BY-POSITION ANALYSIS

all players listed alphabetically

QUARTERBACKS

Jordan BELLIVEAU Fr. 5-11 200 Millbury, MA/Millbury

Joe CORREIA Sr. 6-1 205 Melrose, MA/St. John's Pr.

Michael LEPORE Fr. 6-0 160 Arlington, MA/Catholic

Marshall THARPE Fr. 6-3 210 Irvine, CA/Santa Magarita

The position was open-for-the-taking in spring workouts and may still be that way when camp opens in mid-August. Senior JOE CORREIA (Melrose, MA/St. John's Prep), who threw for nearly 1,000 yards as a back-up player in 2003 and 2004 before missing last year due to injury, performed well in spring workouts and assured himself the No. 1 seed entering training camp.

First-year players include three who don't figure to run an option offense as their high school statistics would indicate . . . MARSHALL THARPE (Irvine, CA/Santa Magarita) was a rivals.com top 10 quarterback prospect and California all star; JORDAN BELLIVEAU (Millbury, MA/Millbury) was a Telegram & Gazette Super Teamer with nearly 4,000 yards passing and 48 TDs the last two years and MICHAEL LEPORE (Arlington, MA/Arlington Catholic) was a two-time Eastern Mass. all-star who threw for 3,100 yards and 27 TDs last year.

RUNNING BACKS

Lamarr CASH Fr. 5-9 215 W.Haven, CT/Notre Dame

Josh IOVANELLA Fr. 5-8 185 N.Andover, MA/N. Andover

Jon KYDD Jr. 5-10 225 Chelmsford, MA/ Chelmsford

Kevin L'ECUYER Sr. 5-8 165 Leominster,MA/Leominster

Dave PAVELETZ Fr. 5-10 200 Warrior Run, PA/Hanover

Jay YOUNGBLOOD Fr. 5-7 175 Trumbull, CT/Trumbull

A position that is wide open to all comers as Bailey attempts to plug the hole with the loss of all-conference back Austin Davis (Lakeland, FL) who rushed for 1,351 yards and 12 TDs. Junior fullback JOHN KYDD (Chelmsford, MA/Chelmsford) (20 yards) saw limited duty last year, while senior KEVIN L'ECUYER (Leominster, MA/Leominster), a 2002 Telegram & Gazette Super Team member, is on the comeback trail.

Freshmen, therefore, will get long looks . . . speedster JAY YOUNGBLOOD (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) is a two-time Fairfield County all-star and MVP of his conference title game; DAVE PAVELETZ (Warrior Run, PA/Hanover Area) is a first-team all-Pennsylvania selection with more speed to burn and LAMAR CASH (West Haven, CT/Notre Dame) averaged 8.3 yards for 9-1 Notre Dame.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Justin ANTONE Jr. 5-10 170 Dracut, MA/Bishop Guertin

Jake BEERS Jr. 6-1 175 Duxbury, MA/Duxbury

Donnie BOWERS Jr. 6-0 185 Essex, VT/Essex

David CANNEY Fr. 6-0 190 Templeton, MA/North Middlesex

Brian CAREY Jr. 6-3 185 Tyngsboro, MA/Tyngsboro

Jarel CAPERS Fr. 5-9 170 Bridgeport, CT/Notre Dame

Luke CERRETANI So. 5-10 165 Melrose, MA/Melrose

Gene DEVITO Fr. 6-2 215 Stamford, CT/Trinity Catholic

Joey FABIANO So. 5-10 180 Westwood, MA/Westwood

Chris SCHRODER Fr. 6-0 190 Berlin, CT/Berlin

TIGHT ENDS

Matt BRELIANT So. 6-1 250 Los Angeles, CA/Vermont Academy

Pat COUGHLIN So. 6-3 215 Norwood, MA/Norwood

Jake LONGENECKER Jr. 6-5 245 Bedford, NH/Manchester West

Sean O'BRIEN Fr. 6-4 190 Wrentham, MA/Xaverian

Matt THIBEAULT Fr. 6-3 220 Fitchburg, MA/Fitchburg

Jon RICCIARELLI Jr. 6-4 200 Cumberland, RI /C'mberland

The Greyhounds have speed to burn with junior all-conference candidate JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury)---the former Boston Globe all-scholastic set the Hounds' freshman record with 40 receptions for 405 yards in 2005. Sophomore JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) was a Boston Globe/Boston Herald all-scholastic, who showed promising signs with seven catches (88 yards) last year.

At tight end there is ample and quality depth. Junior all-conference candidate JAKE LONGENECKER (Bedford, MA/Manchester West), a two-time all-New Hampshire honoree, has 43 receptions for 586 yards over two seasons and is among the conference's top blockers.

Bailey will find time for Telegram & Gazette Super Teamer DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/North Middlesex), whom he labels as a can't-miss athlete---the fourth-leading scorer in Massachusetts high school history rushed for 2,000 yards last year; another Telegram & Gazette and Sentinel-Enterprise all-star MATT THIBEAULT (Fitchburg, MA/Fitchburg/Worcester Academy) and two-time Fairfield County all-star GENE DEVITO (Stamford, CT/Trinity Catholic).

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Nick CANTRELL Fr. 6-5 260 Portland, ME/Deering

Matt CERINS Jr. 6-5 280 Manchester, CT/E. Catholic

Chuck JOHNSON Jr. 6-5 270 Northboro, MA/Algonquin

Dan WELCH Jr. 6-4 290 Woburn, MA/Woburn

OFFENSIVE GUARDS

Paul GOURDEAU Fr. 6-1 275 Lawrenceville, GA/Peachtree

Chad MC MILLAN Jr. 6-0 285 Wakefield, MA/Fenwick

Nick NYCZ Fr. 6-3 275 Dracut, MA/Dracut

Mike OTTERBEIN Jr. 6-1 290 Manchester, CT/Manchester

Mike SENELLA Jr. 6-2 295 Simi Valley, CA/Alemany

OFFENSIVE CENTERS

Ross DUBUC Jr. 6-1 245 Sharon, MA/Xaverian

Patrick KWEDOR Sr. 6-3 265 Mashpee, MA/Mashpee

Tom PRIGNANO Fr. 6-3 250 W.Hartford, CT/NW Catholic

An area that Bailey, an ex-offensive lineman himself, has made a priority item as the Hounds have shed the reputation of annually being the smallest team in the Northeast-10 Conference. His veteran front wall is among the conference elite

The Hounds anchor their hopes around the very big talents of junior 6-foot-2, 295-pound guard MIKE SENELLA (Simi Valley, CA/Alemany)---named the Worcester Area's top first-year player and a two-time Northeast-10 Conference all star. Senella, a former all-stater in California prep ball, is the complete package giving the Hounds solid pass protection and fire out run-game blocking. Another junior, 6-foot-1, 290-pound guard MIKE OTTERBEIN (Manchester, CT/Manchester)---a Connecticut all-region performer in his prep days---is a 20-game starter.

At the tackles, 6-foot-5, 280-pound junior MATT CERINS (Manchester, CT/East Catholic)---a two-time all-Connecticut scholastic and the Hounds top pas protector---and a fourth junior, 6-foot-4, 290-pound DAN WELCH (Woburn, MA/Woburn)---a former Middlesex League all-star are both solid performers. Versatile 6-foot-3, 265-pound senior PATRICK KWEDOR (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee) will move into the center role.

Depth is ample with 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior tackle CHUCK JOHNSON (Northboro, MA/Algonquin) and versatility of 6-foot-1, 245-pound guard ROSS DUBUC (Sharon, MA/Xaverian)---a former Catholic Conference all-star.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

David FULVIO So. 6-3 200 Tuckahoe, NY/Tuckahoe

Jared KELLY Jr. 6-3 245 Canton, MA/Xaverian

Josh KELLY Sr. 6-4 250 Canton, MA/Xaverian

James MELLEKAS Jr. 5-7 190 Newport, RI/Rogers

Steve PRATT Sr. 5-10 200 Braintree, MA/Braintree

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Seth BREWSTER Fr. 6-2 250 Cumberland, ME/Greely

Pat CALLAHAN Sr. 6-1 260 North Haven, CT/North Haven

Steve HART Fr. 6-4 230 Clearwater, FL/Countryside

Jeff ROBERT Jr. 6-3 250 Pelham, NH/Pelham

Terry STANFORD So. 6-1 265 Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park

Frank TURCHIOE Fr. 5-11 220 Katonah, NY/Somers

The Kelly brothers, Josh and Jared, are expected to raise havoc at both ends of the Hounds' defensive front four. Agile 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior JOSH KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) (17-32--49 tackles) is a conference all-star performer also named to several pre-season all-America teams, while 6-foot-3, 240 pound junior JARED KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) (15-39--54 tackles) ably mans the left side. Together they raised ample havoc with 23 pass pressures, 9.5 sacks and 43 tackles-for-loss.

In the middle Bailey envisions the tandem of athletic 6-foot-1, 265-pound sophomore TERRY STANFORD (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) (11-9--20 tackles) in four 2005 starts; junior Siena transfer 6-foot-1, 260-pound PAT CALLAHAN (North Haven, CT/North Haven), 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior JEFF ROBERT (Pelham, NH/Pelham) and 6-3, 200-pound sophomore DAVID FULVIO (Tuckahoe, NY/Tuckahoe).

Freshmen SETH BREWSTER (Cumberland, ME/Greely), a two-time Maine Campbell Conference all-star, STEVE HART (Clearwater, FL/Countryside), a Pinellas County all-star and all-SunCoast performer, and FRANK TURCHIOE (Katonah, NY/Somers), a North County News and New York all-section performer, are in the mix.

LINEBACKERS

Morgan BURDETTE So. 6-0 225 Jacksonville, AR/N. Pulaski

Mark CINAR Sr. 5-11 225 Watertown, MA/Watertown

Dan COSTELLO Jr. 5-11 200 Reading, NH/Reading

Zack MC KEEVER Sr. 6-0 225 Lunenburg, MA/Lunenburg

Greg MOORE So. 5-11 200 Norton, MA/Bishop Feehan

Michael PAGLIONE Fr. 6-0 215 Mansfield, CT/Smith

John RICHARD Jr. 6-1 210 Billerica, MA/Arl. Catholic

Tony SAVARESE Jr. 5-10 195 Simsbury, CT/Simsbury

Jeff SLOAT Jr. 6-1 235 Auburn, ME/Edward Little

Dustin ZITZMANN Fr. 5-11 205 Pinellas Pk, FL/Dixie Hollins

The superb linebacking/rover back careers of Chris Grogan (Scottsdale, AZ) (136-221- 357 tackles), Mike Pruell (Walpole, MA) (103-126--229 tackles) and Gino Meccariello (Southington, CT) (116-107--223 tackles) have culminated with graduation. Therefore Bailey will have to deal with new faces to open 2006.

Off his spring season former Maine all-scholastic JEFF SLOAT (Auburn, ME/Edward Little)---injured in 2005---is pencilled in as the potential starter in the middle, flanked by junior TONY SAVARESE (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury) (weak side) (15-12--27 in four starts) and senior MARK CINAR (Watertown, MA/Watertown) (strong side)---also injured in 2005.

Sophomore MORGAN BURDETTE (Jacksonville, AR/North Pulaski)---who had 357 career tackles while earning all-AAAA Southeast honors three straight years in high school, sophomore GREG MOORE (Norton, MA/Bishop Feehan), freshman MIKE PAGLIONE (Mansfield, CT/Smith/St. Thomas More) and freshman DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins) figure in the normal rotation.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Kyle COX So. 5-9 185 North Andover, MA/Bridgton

James DEVORE Fr. 6-2 170 Trumbull, CT/Trumbull

Chauncey FAGAN So. 6-0 180 Reseda, CA/Notre Dame

Dan HICKEY So. 5-10 180 Auburn, MA/Auburn

Matt KLASKIN Jr. 5-10 185 Norfolk, MA/Xaverian

Chris MARTINO So. 5-11 190 Lindcroft, NJ/Middletown South

Peter MILLIGAN Sr. 6-2 215 Melrose, MA/Melrose

Mike MOONAN Sr. 5-11 200 West Seneca, NY/West

Mike MOYER Jr. 5-9 200 Plymouth, MA/South

Antwaun MURPHY Fr. 5-10 185 New Bedford, MA/New Bedford

Mike O'NEIL Jr. 5-5 150 Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian

Luvins SAINT FORT So. 5-8 180 Naples, FL/Lely

Bernard SCOTT Fr. 6-1 175 St. Petersburg, FL/Farragut

Richard SHEEHAN Jr. 5-10 190 N.Andover, MA/N. Andover

Jason VEGA Fr. 5-11 185 Lawrence, MA/Central Catholic

Another team strength as this group anchored by senior strong safety and former Middlesex League all-star PETER MILLIGAN (Melrose, MA/Melrose) who was among the conference leaders in tackles (36-40--76) and sophomore free safety CHRIS MARTINO (Lindcroft, NJ/Middletown South) (29-28--57), who led the team with four interceptions in 2005.

Junior corner and former Catholic Conference all-scholastic MATT KLASKIN (Norfolk, MA/Xaverian) (28-24--52) is a two-sport standout (lacrosse) for the Greyhounds . . . sophomore strong safety CHAUNCEY FAGAN (Los Angeles, CA/Notre Dame) (7-9--16 tackles) had nearly 100 tackles and 11 quarterbacks sacks as a senior in high school . . . sophomore free safety LUVINS SAINT-FORT (Naples, FL/Lely) had a pair of blocked punts last year and sophomore corner KYLE COX (North Andover, MA/North Andover) (6-16--22 tackles) all make this a deep part of the team.

Freshmen with promise include BERNARD SCOTT (St. Petersburg, FL/Admiral Farragut) . . . JAMES DEVORE (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull), who had 13 career interceptions and earned all-FCIAC honors and JASON VEGA (Lawrence, MA/Central Catholic), a Merrimack Valley and Lawrence Eagle-Tribune all-star.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekickers

Jon EISELE Jr. 5-8 160 Franklin Lk., NJ/Vt Academy

Mike MC CORMICK Fr. 5-10 175 Glastonbury, MA/E. Catholic

Mike TOBIN Jr. 5-11 150 Woburn, MA/Woburn

Punters

Justin ANTONE Jr. 5-10 170 Dracut, MA/Bishop Guertin

Mike MC CORMICK Fr. 5-10 175 Glastonbury, MA/E. Catholic

Long Snappers

Jared KELLY Jr. 6-3 240 Canton, MA/Xaverian

Punt & Kickoff Returners

Joey FABIANO So. 5-10 180 Westwood, MA/Westwood Kevin L'ECUYER Sr. 5-8 165 Leominster, MA /Leominster

Dave PAVELETZ Fr. 5-10 200 Warrior Run, PA/Hanover

Jason VEGA Fr. 5-11 185 Lawrence, MA/Central Cath.

OVERALL: last year the Greyhounds solved the time management problem by creating a quality running game accounting for over 125 yards per game. This time around Bailey will have to retool his offensive skill positions. The major good news is that four quality starters return for their third year on the offensive line, while the freshman class is loaded with athleticism.

Defensively the Hounds are solid along the front four with the Kelly Brothers expected to play a dominating role. The secondary, led by safeties Peter Milligan and Chris Martino, is among the hardest hitting groups in the conference. If the linebacking corps retools to effectiveness --- they lost three 200-tackle people--- then the defense will be among the conference leaders.

This version of the Greyhounds is the biggest and most athletic collection the program has fielded in years. With all this new athleticism and speed available, it is Bailey's hope that he can turn every game into a track meet. This is a different Assumption College football team, dominated by strong front walls---both offensively and defensively and speedy, athletic skill people.