Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WHS Football Training Camp Preview

Quarterbacks: Nick Dettorre, John Amentola, Tyler McGrail, Sajan Thakkar, Zach Duffy
Comments: All five are talented, but none have the size and arm of 2008 graduate Brian Millea. Dettorre, Amentola, and Thakkar might get the first looks because they are seniors but Duffy is a better athlete than the three of them. McGrail's status is uncertain considering he is coming off a leg injury sustained last fall.

Tailbacks: Mike McLaughlin, Rob Smith, Martin Hyppolite, Zach Boyages, Nick Haley, Mike Treacy
Comments: Hyppolite is coming off a 1,000 yard season as a junior. He is one of the Middlesex League's best offensive talents and is projected as a strong Division 1 player in college. Boyages and Smith were given a few touches last fall and may make for solid back-ups behind Hyppolite.

Fullbacks: Matt Riley, Stan Misiano, Chris Pizano, Mike Holler, Jason Federico
Comments: One of the weakest positions for the Warriors is fullback. With a load of inexperience including three juniors with only JV experience, the Warriors will most likely turn to Federico, an undersized but strong bruiser. Riley is one of the toughest players on the squad and could also be looked at to plow the way for Hyppolite.

Split-Ends: Joe Grondin, Shane Taylor, Connor Nixon, Tyler Popp, Mike Fiore, Dave DellaRocco, Mike Noonan, Chris Glynn, Brian Coullahan, John Fox, Jack Severt, Zach Sallese, Jebson Dorgilus, Josh Latham, Caio Pacheco, Matt Lincoff
Comments: Although there are a wealth of split-ends on the roster, the Warriors have a pretty good idea who will be the significant contributors in 2008. As a sophomore, Taylor started at receiver and was arguably the best one the team had. DellaRocco, standing at 6'3, is one of the tallest receivers in the league. He is the ideal big target, but he must continue to work on limiting drops. Sallese is another player who got considerable varsity experience in 2007. He plays his position very similar to DellaRocco.

Tightends: Ray Elcewicz, Jamie Roche, Joe Keegan, Mike Reynolds
Comments: Elcewicz is gigantic (6'6/220 lbs) meaning that he could probably manhandle any defensive end or linebacker that gets in his way. As a blocker, you couldn't ask for more. Reynolds is more of a crafty option who has very good hands and athletic ability.

Offensive Lineman: Justin Perry, Chris Annetti, Matt Manfredi, Shawn Conway, Dave Callahan, Tom Dorney, Pat Holleran, Jon Puccio, Jake McCarthy, Andrew Fallon, Tom Rea, George Kopanas, Jeff Sacco, Dan Tartarino, Chris Garabedian, John Carano, Mike Hubbard
Comments: Who is going to block for Hyppolite? These guys. It is unfortunate that one of the league's best players (Hyppolite) doesn't have all-league protectors. Perry, Conway, Callahan, and Sacco are almost sure bets to start. The two players here to keep an eye on are Conway, a tri-captain and Sacco, a participant in combines. Still, none of them are as high profile as the 2006 offensive line which paved the way for all-scholastic rusher Shane Brown. That team featured the likes of Evan Wattles (arguably the most talented player on the team), Brandon Flanagan (Buffalo), Paul Seabury, Mike Gurdjian, and Mike Carlin (Endicott).

Next up: Defense

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