Greater Lawrence
2009 record: 7-4
Offense: Pro Set I; Defense: 4-4
Returning starters (8): Joe Pizzuto, Sr., TB/CB, 5-6, 160; Patrick Stanganelli, Sr., T/DT, 6-2, 300; Jeffrey Balbi, Sr., T/DT, 6-2, 240; Jean Carlos Gomez, Sr., QB/DB, 5-8, 160; Brian Sealy, Sr., WR/CB, 5-10, 170; Nick Sosa, Jr., FB/LB, 5-10, 175; John Augusta, Jr., FB/LB, 5-7, 170; Marlon Orellana, Jr., G/DT, 6-2, 240
Returning lettermen: Jaymie Rosa, Sr., QB/CB, 5-7, 140; Lenny Paulino, Sr., 5-10, 150, WR/S; David Mota, Jr., 5-8, 180, FB/LB; Jeff Gonzalez, Jr., 6-1, 240, C/DT; Carlos Aquino, Jr., 5-8, 160, OG/DE; Yamarco Guzman, Jr., QB/S, 5-10, 150
Promising newcomers: Jean-Carlos Jarib, Jr., OG/LB, 5-10, 220; Nelson Vega, Jr., C/DT, 6-0, 190; Jonathan Montero, Soph., WR/CB, 5-8, 150; Ryan Caredeo, Soph., FB/LB, 6-0, 180; Christian Rivera, Soph., RB/CB, 6-0, 190; Angel Abreu, Soph., OG/LB, 5-8, 210; Jake Barchard, Soph., WR/DE, 6-1, 185; Marcos Ortiz, Soph., RB/LB, 5-9, 180; Javier Rojas, Soph., FB/LB, 5-7, 230; Jonathan Santiago, Soph., RB/CB, 6-0, 180; Danny Ojeda, Soph., OT/DT, 5-8, 240; Nick Gonzalez, Soph., OG/DT, 6-0, 250
Returning leaders: Joe Pizzuto 308 carries, 2,132 yards, 27 TDs; Jean Carlos Gomez 26 of 74, 438 yards, 3 TDs
Candidates: 85
Captains: TBA
Returning honorees: Joe Pizzuto, Eagle-Tribune All-Star
Assistants: Dib Sarkis, defensive coordinator; Dan Thompson, offensive coordinator; Dave Thompson, defensive line; John Delaney, running backs/cornerbacks; Brian Dube, receivers/special teams; Jamie Qualter, freshmen; Eric Blew, freshmen
Odds and ends: Joe Pizzuto rushed for 2,132 yards last season, which is believed to be the second most in area history. Former Reggie Nate Adames holds the record (2,647) set in the Super Bowl-winning 2007 season.
Coach Tony Sarkis (6th year, 30-27): "Having Joe Pizzuto back is great, and Jean Carlos Gomez is throwing a lot better and we are looking for big things out of him. Jeffrey Balbi has really taken over the leadership role on the line. Nick Sosa is leading the way on defense, with Marlon Orellana at tackle and Lenny Paulino at safety."
Whittier
2009 record: 12-0, EMass. Division 4 Super Bowl champions
Offense: Multiple; Defense: Even front
Returning starters (10): Jordan Britton, Sr., G, 6-1, 180; Sean Ford, Sr., DE, 6-5, 255; Corey Gallo, Sr., DT, 5-10, 220; Matt Asemota, Sr., DE, 6-1, 190; Ryan Shanahan, Sr., LB, 5-10, 180; Brendan Hoffses, Sr., LB, 6-3, 210; Paul Buccos, Sr., RB, 5-7, 165; Patrick Lawlor, Jr., OT, 6-1, 260; Ryan Tragakis, Jr., DT, 6-3, 260; Ruddy Ortiz, Jr., OT, 6-1, 250
Returning lettermen: John DeAngelo, Sr., G, 5-10, 168; Tyler Thistlewood, Sr., TE, 6-3, 255; Mike Davis, Sr., WR, 6-3, 170; Mark Asemota, Sr., RB, 6-0, 180; Andrew Groder, Sr., RB, 6-0, 175; Chris Malone, Sr., DE, 5-10, 180; Dan Provost, Sr., OL, 5-10, 230; Jim Dore, Sr., LB, 6-0, 210; Jay Desjardins, Sr., LB, 5-11, 180; Jeremy Acevedo, Sr., OL, 6-3-, 275; Mark Chiasson, Sr., LB, 5-10, 175; Ricardo Hernandez, Sr., OL, 5-7, 190; Travis Barrett, Sr., OL, 5-11, 185; Bryan Goulet, Jr., OT, 6-8, 290; Andrew Hastings, Jr., OL, 6-0, 190; Andrew McGrath, Jr., RB, 5-8, 160; Bryan Roe, Jr., WR, 6-0, 170; Cam Dubiel, Jr., WR/DB, 6-1, 175; Cody Davidowicz, Jr., OL, 6-4, 230; Frank Boland, Jr., FB/LB, 5-10, 180; Jack Creesy, Jr., RB/DB, 6-0, 175; Jeremy Sanchez, Jr., OL, 5-9, 185; Jim Coyne, Jr., OL, 5-10, 180; Jonathan Chhim, Sr., LB, 6-0, 175; Jonathan Dwyer, Jr., LB, 5-11, 180; Kyle Jenkins, Jr., QB, 5-10, 170; Mike Ortiz, Jr., LB, 5-10, 180; Nick Cyr, Jr., OL, 6-6. 255; Nick Mazzone, Jr., OL, 6-1, 190; Shane Surette, Jr., QB/DB, 6-0, 180; Victor Munoz, Jr., LB, 5-11, 185; Will Pound, Jr., OL, 5-10, 180
Promising newcomers: Mike Melling, Jr., QB, 5-11, 180; Seth Bunnell, Soph., RB, 6-0, 180
Returning leaders: Paul Buccos 50 carries, 351 yards, 5 TDs; Shane Surette 2 for 2, 19 yards
Candidates: 140
Captains: TBA
Returning honorees: Ryan Tragakis, All-CAC Large
Assistants: Jim Carlson, defensive coordinator; Matt Hayes, offensive line; Dan Holgate, offensive line; Denis Cronin, running back/linebackers; Bill Yameen, freshmen; Alby Marshall, freshmen; Mike Cutrona, scouting; Dan Beausoleil, manager
Odds and ends: Mark and Matt Asemota are identical twins and natives of Nigeria. ... Seth Bunnell is the younger brother of former Pentucket fullback Nate Bunnell, who rushed for 1,309 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2007. ... Veteran coach Denis Cronin joins the staff. He previously served as head coach for the Wildcats (1977-84) and Haverhill High (2003-05). Promising quarterback Shane Surette is the brother of 2009 Eagle-Tribune All-Star Steve Surette. ... Whittier's 12 game win streak is the fourth longest in EMass. behind only Xaverian (15), Gloucester (13), Reading (13).
Coach Kevin Bradley (10th year, 74-30): "Paul Buccos is so fast and we will find ways to get him around the corner. We have two quarterbacks in Shane Surette (lefty) and Mike Melling (righty). Mark Asemota is the workhorse running back. Seth Ford can really get to the quarterback from the end and Ryan Shanahan and Jay Desjardins lead a strong linebacker group."
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