Springfield College offensive coordinator Mike Cerasuolo noted that even now, two weeks into April, it's still early in the Division 3 college football recruiting process.

"Believe it or not, guys are still undecided out there," he said.

The coach had a smile on his face. He's already landed one of the top prizes of the season.

North Andover High senior Andrew Foote, the two-time Eagle-Tribune Offensive MVP, will head to Springfield in the fall, where he'll step in to one of the most prolific running offenses in the nation.

"I liked the school and loved what I heard from the coaches," said Foote, who chose Springfield over a couple different prep schools. "They were genuine. When we talked about things, they were easy to understand. I watched their highlight tape, and I really liked what I saw. Plus, things really worked out great for my family (financially)."

What Foote saw on that tape was a dynamic, double-slot option attack. One in which another former Eagle-Tribune MVP erupted.

Quarterback Chris Sharpe scored 35 TDs and rushed for 1,941 yards and was named Division 3 National Player of the Year this fall.

Cerasuolo sees success early in the cards for Foote.

"He has great field vision and real good feet, with the potential to get on the field early," said Cerasuolo. "We're fortunate to get him. He's a tough kid. He plays hockey, and showed toughness there. He's played through injuries. He's a competitor, playing baseball again. It's just all the things we look for.

"With Sharpe having one year left, we potentially have some top talent in the backfield."

Foote's aid package to Springfield is substantial, with over 80 percent taken care of.

"I'm definitely happy and relieved it is over," said Foote. "It's been a long wait."

In four varsity seasons at North Andover, Foote totaled 4,549 rushing yards, good for 10th on the Eastern Mass. all-time rushing list. He's the eighth leading scorer all-time in the entire state with 470 points (78 TDs, 1 2-point conversion).

Over that time, Foote helped lead North Andover into the Division 2A playoffs as a junior and returned with an even more dominant season.

On a team that returned just three varsity starters, Foote rolled up 1,838 yards and 25 TDs on 237 carries, despite having defenses keying on him week in and week out.

Foote recently earned Eagle-Tribune All-Star status in hockey for his 19-goal, 16-assist season.

Ironically, Springfield also could nail down the 2006 Eagle-Tribune Defensive MVP, who is also considering the Taft School in Waterbury, Conn., for a prep year.

Pinkerton Academy senior linebacker Jeff Ragoza said, "Springfield made a nice offer and I'd be happy there. But prep school would give the colleges another chance to see me."

Pinkerton's Farris selects Phillips Andover

With the graduation of starter Will Sherrill, Phillips Academy needs a quarterback. Pinkerton Academy's Bryan Farris hungers to throw the football at the Division 1 level. After a season of near-misses on the recruiting trail, the two have proven to be the perfect match.

"I was recruited by several schools, and I got offers to kick. I'm looking to quarterback at the Division 1 level," said Farris. "Phillips Andover needs a quarterback, and coach (Leon) Modeste likes to throw the football. Taking a post-grad year there is something I wanted to do."

Academics have never been a question for Farris, ranked No. 7 in the Pinkerton senior class of 800 students with a perfect GPA. He had Ivy League opportunities, but wanted to improve his chances as a quarterback. He's already considered a top kicking prospect.

After completing 61 percent of his passes for an area-best 1,763 yards and 10 TDs last fall, Farris' fire to throw the football for a Division 1 college still burns.

"The Ivy League is definitely out there, but I think there will be plenty of options," said Farris, who will pitch and play the infield for the Astros baseball team again this spring.

Farris has worked hard on his conditioning.

"A big difference this year is that right when football ended, I kept up my regular workouts, sprinting and lifting," said Farris, who kicked 14 career field goals for Pinkerton. "I'm a lot strong and faster than I was last year. I feel great right now."

Farris and Jeff Ragoza aren't the only seniors from the unbeaten Astros' state championship team of 2006 to declare their collegiate intentions.

Lineman Jason Lane had already accepted a scholarship to Northeastern and wide receiver Juan Amador declared early to play baseball at Siena.

Several other Astros will continue their football careers, including Burt Boone and Dana MacLeod at Merrimack, Kyle Romick at Husson College, Ben Cryts at St. Lawrence and Jake White for football and lacrosse at Maine Maritime.

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Where They Are Going

Eagle-Tribune All-Star senior football players and where they will be next fall:

Bryan Farris%QB%Pinkerton%Phillips Andover

Andrew Foote%RB%North Andover%Springfield

Joel Penney%RB%Whittier%Wilbraham &Monson

Ryan Lambert%RB%Londonderry%Plymouth

Chris Stringfellow%OL%Londonderry%Dean College

Chris Shannon%OL%Phillips%Duke

Ryan Silvestri%OL%Pentucket%Westfield State

Juan Amador%WR%Pinkerton%Siena (baseball)

Conor Tierney%TE%North Andover%Springfield

Andrew Regan%DL%Central%Bryant

Joel Israel%DL%Andover%Bates

Jason Lane%DL%Pinkerton%Northeastern

Jared Ciriello%DL%Salem%Junior college

John Emerzian%DE%Salem%Junior college

Jeff Ragoza%LB%Pinkerton%Springfield or prep

Clint Clay%LB%Whittier%Plymouth

Derek Sickel%LB%Timberlane%Citadel (wrestling)

Chris Morales%LB%Central%Delaware

Jay Pena%S%Whittier%Delaware