By David Willis
Staff Writer
—
Not long into Andover football practice on Monday, Boston College-bound star Brian Miller squared off with All-Merrimack Valley Conference freight train center Connor Clancy in an epic one-one-one drill that began with a smash that echoed through the trees and ended with each player throwing the other to the ground.
"Brian's a Division 1 athlete, so anything I can get on him is a big plus," Clancy said with a smile. "There's been blood, sweat and tears shed on this field so far — and when I say tears I really mean tears, both of pain and because we want it that bad."
Miller and Clancy shook hands after the battle, but the lesson was clear during the high-energy, high intensity practice.
"It's all about toughness here," said Golden Warriors lineman Lyle Baker. "It's a whole new atmosphere and a whole new tradition at Andover. We are going for it."
A new era has begun for Andover High football, with a new head coach in E.J. Perry, a new offense and defense and plenty of new faces taking on key roles. But the squad feels they are ready for the season, which kicks off next Friday, Sept. 10, when the Golden Warriors host always tough Cape Ann League rival North Andover at 7 p.m.
"We can't wait for North Andover," said receiver Ben McQuaide. "It has been tough, but we have put in the work and the effort and it is really paying off on the field. A lot of players have been stepping up in new roles."
It is a season of change for the Golden Warriors, not just at the coaching ranks but with standouts such as quarterback John Hennessy, top receivers Christopher McConnell and Jimmy Johnson and defensive lineman Jake Lebowitz all lost to graduation. But the players currently in Blue and Gold aren't worried about replacing their former teammates.
"We have some players that are going to wow people," said Clancy. "Sure, John Hennessy is a loss. But Tom Dempsey is a heck of a quarterback."
After serving as backup QB for the past two seasons, completing 1 for 3 passes in limited action, senior Dempsey appears poised to take over the starting quarterback job.
"Dempsey seems to have pulled in front," said Perry. "He has played very well. He completed a lot of passes in the scrimmages and has done a nice job of running."
Perry has instituted a new no-huddle spread offense, a pass-first attack that will see the Golden Warrior employ many three and four-receiver sets.
Andover's greatest weapon is it's lone returner, Miller. One of the top recruits for Boston College, Miller presents a massive target as a receiver at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds to go with his stellar speed. With 35 catches for 485 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago, he is the only receiver back with any catches.
Joining him at the receiving corps is 6-foot-2 first-year starter McQuaide, along with sophomore newcomer Cam Farnham. Andrew Coke, who transferred in from Brooks before the season adds experience at running back (66 carries, 346 yards in 2009), and track star Pat Farnham could add another element with his speed.
"This is the third offense I have played in the last three years here," said McQuaide. "I like this the best because it is up-tempo, hot paced and no-huddle. We're going to throw defenses off a lot."
The offense should benefit from plenty of blocking from an offensive line that is anchored by returning starters Clancy (6-foot, 242 pounds) and Baker (6-foot-2, 240).
Revamped defense
"Intensity is a big thing out here," defensive captain Ned Deane said. "Everyone is fired up, and that is good. We may not have the talent we have had, but we have the players to fill the positions, and we feel like we can compete with anyone."
Deane, a linebacker that has recovered from the knee injury the left him on the sidelines for the final seven games of last season, paces a Golden Warriors defense that is also gaining confidence despite inexperience.
"We have a very good core at linebacker," he said. "Along with me, there's Will Keller who came in when I got hurt last year and did a great job, Will Clark, who is the brother of (2007 All-MVC linebacker) Sam Clark, and Chris Newton.
"Everyone is new in the defensive backfield. But players like Jimmy Walsh and Fred Scribner have stepped up at safety and Ben Cook should play corner with Kevin Sharrio."
Baker, Clancy and Miller add size and power to the defensive line that should rank with anyone in the league, and provide a base for the 4-3 (four linemen, three linebacker) defensive attack along with 6-foot-2 and 231 pounder Matt Crush.
"I feel like we should have one of the top defenses in the league," said McQuaide, also a cornerback. "The right people appear to be in the right places, and we have put so much work into it."
Coaching ranks
Even after a tough conditioning session, Andover's new coaching staff drew rave reviews from their players.
"Coach Perry has been awesome," said Deane. "His enthusiasm and confidence is contagious. He has so many kids fired up and ready to play. "
Joining Perry, who will also call plays on offense, is an impressive group of assistant coaches on both sides of the ball.
Leading the defense will be defensive coordinator Shawn Theriault, who has held the same job at Framingham State and Westford Academy, and defensive line coach Tim Briggs who was the head coach at Haverhill High for the last four seasons.
Also on the staff is a pair of familiar faces. Joe Iarrobino, well known for his success as coach of Andover's American Legion baseball team, returns to the sidelines after 14 years to work with the linebackers and John Rex, the interim head coach a season ago, returns as defensive backs coach.
On offense, former St. John's Prep standout Ryan Bird is coaching the offensive line and former Merrimack College quarterback Matt Sernes rounds out the staff.
Now, the Golden Warriors will concentrate that intensity and those lessons into winning football games.
"We want to go out and win every game we play in," said Miller. "We want to win the MVC, we want to beat Central Catholic on Thanksgiving, and we want to win the Super Bowl. Sure, those are high expectations, but you have go into the season with confidence."
Football
2009 record: 6-5
Offense: Spread; Defense: 4-3
Returning starters (8): Brian Miller, Sr., TE/DE, 6-4, 235; Ned Deane, Sr., TE/LB, 6-2, 205; Lyle Baker, Sr., OL/DE, 6-2, 240; Connor Clancy, Sr., C/NG, 6-0 242; Chris Newton, Sr., LB, 5-9, 205; Will Keller, Sr., LB, 6-0, 202; Kevin Sharrio, Sr., CB, 5-10, 165; Will Clark, Jr., LB, 6-0 200
Returning lettermen: Matt Barnes, Sr., WR, 5-7, 145; Nathan Bonilla, Sr., OL, 6-2, 236; Ben Cook, Sr., CB, 5-10, 172; Cody Cunningham, Sr., OL, 6-4, 292; Tom Dempsey, Sr., QB, 6-2, 181; Ian Doherty, Sr., CB, 6-0, 156; Pat Farnham, Sr., S, 5-7, 145; Alex Ferreira, Sr., OL, 6-2, 268; Mark Fitzgerald, Sr., RB, 6-0, 165; Michael Galietti, Sr., RB, 5-10, 167; Michael McGovern, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 154; Ben McQuaide, Sr., WR/CB, 6-2, 179; John Prawdzik, Sr., WR/S, 6-0, 168; Connor Sullivan, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 239; Greg Brown, Jr., DL, 6-1, 220; Gregory Calabro, Jr., S, 6-0, 158; Thomas Cooper, Jr., WR, 6-0, 149; Matt Crush, Jr., OL/DE, 6-2, 231; Jason Dong, Jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 205; Connor Fortune, Jr., WR/DB, 5-11, 186; Jeffrey Hanson, Jr., WR/LB, 6-2, 192; James Kelly, Jr., OL, 5-11, 224; Alex Lahood, Jr., OL, 6-1, 222; Tim Leeman, Jr., OL, 6-2, 243; Nick Marcotte, Jr., OL, 6-0, 196; Brad Miller, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 205; Brendan Paquette, Jr., QB/LB, 6-1, 165; Derek Peterson Jr., TE, 6-1, 196; Giovanni Rosano, Jr., LB, 6-0, 173; Jake Sacco, Jr., RB, 6-1, 174; Abel Tavarez, Jr., RB, 5-10, 162; Jimmy Walsh, Jr., QB, 6-0, 167; Jake Watson, Jr., OL, 6-1, 258
Promising newcomers: Connor Fitzgerald, Sr., DB, 6-3, 191; Andrew Coke, Jr., QB/RB/LB, 6-0, 198; Tim Oteri, Jr., WR, 6-4, 186; Fred Scribner, Jr., RB/DB, 5-11, 160; Taber Tyrrell, Jr., DB, 5-10, 156; Nathaniel Altman, Soph., OL/DL, 6-1, 223; Andreas Christopulos, Soph., C, 6-0, 206; Joey Comeau, Soph., TE, 6-0, 189; Andrew DeLoury, Soph., DB, 6-0, 163; Cam Farnham, Soph., WR, 5-8, 147; Jake Flaherty, Soph., DB, 6-0, 174; Will Heikkinen, Soph., WR, 6-2, 181; C.J. Scarpa, Soph., QB, 5-9, 151; Chas Haseltine, Soph., TE, 6-1, 172; Kevin Yazhari, Soph., DE, 6-0, 209; Mark Zavrl, Soph., WR/LB, 6-2, 193
Returning leaders: Brian Miller 7 TDs, 35 catches, 485 yards, 6 TD catches; Michael Galietti 16 carries, 64 yards; Tom Dempsey 1-for-3 passing, 0 yards
Candidates: 120
Captains: Brian Miller, Connor Clancy, Ned Deane, Lyle Baker
Returning honorees: Connor Clancy and Brian Miller, All-MVC Large
Assistants: Shawn Theriault, defensive coordinator; John Rex, defensive backs; Tim Briggs, defensive line/special teams; Joe Iarrobino, linebackers; Ryan Bird, offensive line; Mike Sarnes, backs; Wayne Puglisi, freshmen; Ben Gibson, freshmen
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