Bridgewater State (5-4 in 2001)
Head coach Peter Mazzaferro enters his 34th season as the Bears' mentor. Presently Mazzaferro ranks first among Division III coaches in New England for most wins (182) in a career. He also has 194 career coaching victories at the Division III level as he needs just six to reach the 200 milestone. During his tenure Bridgewater has won or shared the New England Football Conference title in 1968, 1969, 1989, 1997, 1999 and 2000.

After four consecutive New England Football Conference divisional championships and two straight overall conference titles, the Bears had a bit of a letdown during the 2001 season. Although they did not win the conference, the Bears did manage to continue on the plus side of the ledger with a 5-4 record.

Mazzaferrro looks forward to his 39th season as a head coach at the collegiate level with a lot of optimism. The Bear mentor feels that the team will depend on an outstanding group of transfers and incoming freshman to stay on the plus side of the victory column and challenge for the NEFC title.

On the offensive side of the football, the Bears will look to senior quarterback William Bryant (687 yds, four TDs) to direct the squad in 2002. Bryant, who replaced the injured Pat Callahan midway through the 2001 season, is a capable runner and passer who is well suited for the veer offense.

Mazzaferro will look for some big improvement in the running game in 2002. Seniors Nathan DoRosario (523 yds, two TDs) and Brian St. Germain (228 yds, four TDs) will be pushed by a solid group of incoming freshman and transfers as they compete for the two starting spots in the backfield.

All-conference offensive tackle John Guerzoni along with center Sean Driscoll are the only starting offensive linemen back from a year ago. They will be asked to anchor a revamped offensive line in 2002.

Senior Duncan Averill and junior Matt Hayes will lead the receiving corps. Averill caught 25 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns in 2001, while Hayes had 12 receptions for 332 yards and three TDs. Scott Silva has moved from defensive back to tight end in an effort to fill the void left by all-conference tight end Dave Ribeiro. Silva will also take care of the kicking and punting chores as well.

The defense will have a different look to it in 2002. The Bears, who lost six starters on defense to graduation, will be without the services of their top five tacklers including all-conference linebacker Dave Dungan and all-conference defensive tackle Kevin Anderson. The Bears however have a solid group of freshman and transfers coming in at the linebacker position who may make some noise before the year is through.

Defensive tackle Nick Bosh (38 tackles), along with defensive end Russell Booth (40 tackles) and strong-side linebacker Dan Thomson, return to the starting lineup for the Bears. Nathan St. Gelais and Gerold Gaitan will compete for the starting spots at inside linebacker while James Taylor is the preseason favorite to replace Dungan at weak-side linebacker. Dennis Castro will move over from wide receiver to start at one cornerback position while Pierre Benson is expected to start at safety. Mazzaferro hopes that junior cornerback Adam Howe will be able to recover from offseason surgery and shore up the Bears defensive backfield.

Westfield State (10-1 in 2001)
Westfield State had the most successful season in the 21-year history of its varsity football program in 2001, and the Owls are confident they can "put up a good defense" of their New England Football Conference (NEFC) championship.

The Owls have 16 starters returning from last year's squad that won Westfield's first NEFC championship and posted the college's first perfect regular season with a 10-0 mark. Westfield received an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament where it lost to Western Connecticut 8-7 in the opening round.

The Owls set more than 50 school records and were led by an outstanding defense that finished first in Division III in total defense, allowing only 188 yards per game. In addition, Westfield ranked second nationally in passing defense, eighth in rushing defense, eighth in scoring defense, and 10th in turnover margin.

The defense was led by middle linebacker Josue Zamora, a D3football.com third team All-American who received numerous prestigious postseason awards. In his first year of college football, Zamora was named the Gold Helmet Division II/III New England Player of the Year; he was the first defensive player to win the award since 1994. He was a unanimous selection as Defensive Player of the Year in the 13-team New England Football Conference.

Zamora, a senior this season, will lead the Owls defense that expects to be stingy once again. Other key defensive returnees are: senior back Ryan Clifford (6 interceptions, 12 pass breakups); senior back Alan Gates (three interceptions, 7 pass breakups); junior linebacker Mike Hurteau (73 tackles); senior end John Cloutier (57 tackles, seven sacks, 22 tackles for losses), senior back Jason Olivari (three interceptions); senior linebacker Dan Fitzgerald (58 tackles, four sacks) and junior tackle Steve Faniel (34 tackles, three sacks, nine tackles for losses).

Heading the list of key offensive returnees are two juniors: quarterback Chris LaPointe and wide receiver Matt Yvon. LaPointe completed 98 of 231 passes for 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first year at Westfield. Yvon was an all-conference and All New England performer with 58 catches for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Also returning are senior offensive linemen Dave Duquette and Doug Kaczmarcyzk, both first team all-conference selections in 2001; junior center Rob Byrne, who was second team all-conference; sophomore running back Don Jones (527 rushing yards, 111 carries), and 6-5, 250 pound tight end Brian Matuszko.

Team-wise, Westfield lost only eight players to graduation. Key losses were running back Shawn Lyman, who ranked third nationally in rushing, and defensive end Tim Corr, an All New England and a D3football.com All America honorable mention selection.

Because of his team's outstanding season, 13th year head coach Steve Marino was named the New England Division II/III Coach of the Year, the New England Football Conference Coach of the Year, and the AFCA East Region Division III Coach of the Year.

The key to Westfield State's 2002 season will be to stay healthy and keep improving its offensive attack with the departure of Lyman. The Owls were mostly injury-free during their special 2001 season. Also, they will have to be mentally prepared for each contest of their nine-game schedule that features tough interdivision opponents Nichols and Curry.

Fitchburg State (2-7 in 2001)
Fitchburg State will begin a new era in 2002 as Patrick Haverty takes over as the sixth head coach in the 19-year history of the program. Haverty is no stranger to the Falcons as he was Chris Nugai’s top assistant in 1996 and 1997. Haverty recruited many of the players that led FSC to its only two winning seasons (1999, 2000).

The Falcons will look for continued success on the defensive side of the ball where they were near the top in the NEFC in total defense and rushing defense. The secondary is filled with seasoned veterans including tri-captain Kevin Murray, and career interception leader Sean McGuire at the safeties, and Brian Deshler and Brian Harnish on the corners. The defensive line will be anchored by Adam Keyes and Nick Fadden while senior tri-captain Craig Morey brings a wealth of experience to the linebacking position. Haverty excepts a talented class of freshman and transfers to make an immediate contribution to the front seven.

On offensive, FSC hopes to have a healthy Carld Auguste available at tailback the entire season. In the Falcons' two wins last season, Auguste rushed for an average of 189.5 yards and five touchdowns. Auguste will run through the holes created by guard Dan Rice, tackles Chris Witkowski and Chris Rendigs, and a stellar group of newcomers.

Senior tri-captain Trevor Wilson will team with Brian Spencer and Peter Gunderson to give the Green and Gold several quality options at receiver. The quarterback position will be one of preseason camp’s most intriguing stories with a group of five talented transfers and freshmen engaging in competition for the starting position.

MIT (1-8 in 2001)
MIT might have had the most deceptive 1-8 record in the country last season. Four of the Engineers' losses came by a total of 18 points, including an overtime one-point defeat to defending NEFC champion Bridgewater and a two-point loss to ECAC Northeast Champion Worcester.

Coach Dwight Smith has many holes to fill as he enters his 25th year with the program. Although the Engineers graduated only eight seniors, that represented one quarter of the roster in the final game of 2001.

Throughout the years MIT has been strong at linebacker, and that should be the case in 2002. Dan Lovell and Jerimy Arnold were second and third on the 2001 squad in tackles. Brent Schreiber missed all of 2001 with injury, but was the second leading tackler in 2000. Phil Zakielarz was off to a great start his rookie season before a shoulder injury felled him.

All-Conference pick Brian Hoying leads the defensive backfield. Corey Carter and Mark Boudreau developed into strong corners in 2001, and the return of Tyler Griffith from injury will bolster all positions.

Lars Gronning and Spencer Cross return on the interior of the defensive line, but two ends must be found.

Smith envisions a battle for the starting quarterback slot between incumbent Phil Deutsch and Alex Karnal. Whichever player doesn't end up with the job will play wide receiver to complement Tom Kilpatrick. Keith Battocchi, an All-Conference pick at tight end, returns for his final season.

Kale McNaney will be back at tailback. McNaney ran for 444 yards while splitting time in 2001.

MIT is thin on the offensive line. Justin Nelson, Keith Reed, Andrew Malwitz, and Matt Krueger are returnees, but Smith needs to find some other bodies.

The punting and kicking chores are wide open. Deutsch has punted, but a kicker must be found.

Curry (9-2 in 2001)
Head Coach Steve Nelson will attempt to lead the Colonels to a fifth consecutive winning season in 2002. Last year's record-setting 9-2 squad was hit hard by graduation — particularly on offense. Gone are starting quarterback Steve Santos and wide receiver Jeff Lang, along with three-fifths of the offensive line. Returning lettermen Jim Pascarelli and Tim Philbrook — a pair of untested sophomores — will be leading candidates to fill Santos' (4,400 career passing yards and 45 touchdowns) considerable shoes.

Fortunately for Nelson, he still has junior running backs Raphael Zammit and Moses Curry — one of the most potent one-two punches in the region. Senior captain Ed Zimirowski and junior Dave Waden will provide veteran leadership in front of a new signal-caller, while fifth-year senior Dave Ferrando will anchor a young receiving corps.

The Curry defense loses three starters from a year ago, including linemen Mike Ferrara and Joe Siracuse. But all five of the squad's leading tacklers return, including senior linebacker Terrence Norve (104 hits), sophomore linebacker Brian Robitaille (6 sacks), junior linebacker Manny Ortiz (15 tackles for loss), and junior linemen Justin Pauquette and Bill Morrison. The defensive secondary — an annual question mark because of turnover in personnel — appears to be more settled with the return of senior Gareth Watts, junior Steve Maloney and sophomore Joe Ben.

Senior Bill Lovendale — a perennial all-conference selection and one of the most reliable placekickers and punters in the NEFC — will put the wraps on his exceptional collegiate career. Meanwhile, the kick-return corps is packed with explosive veterans, including Zammit, Ferrando and senior Mike Coppenrath.

Framingham State (2-7 in 2001)
This season will be the start of a new chapter in Rams football. Framingham State is coming off a rough year in 2001, but now under new coach Mark Sullivan winning ways will be right around the corner. Sullivan has made a commitment to winning and the early goal is to come out in win that first game. A win in game one will bring confidence to his team and start the program out to a good first step.

The Rams also have a lot to look forward to in regards to players. Last season Framingham State College lost only four seniors to graduation. Last year starting quarterback Luke Callahan was injured in the third game of the season. This year Luke is healthy again and is excited to be stepping back onto the field. The Rams also have the core of their defense coming back with Tom Beaudoin, George Lopez, Andrew Bulk and Eric Guilmette. Framingham State also has their NEFC honorable mention kicker in Eric Mounsey returning.

This year a key to the success will be protecting Callahan and hopefully the Rams offensive line will be able to answer the call. Led by 300 pounder Robert Kairnes, Ben Perlmutter, and Sean Biadasz will have their hands full with the defense in the NEFC. These three along with new recruits will hopefully give Callahan time to throw the ball this year.

Mark Sullivan has taken charge in a big way at Framingham State and hopefully his players will respond to the call. Sullivan wants to start with the first game and work his way from there.

Massachusetts Maritime (2-7 in 2001)
First-year head coach Joe Domingos was less than pleased with the results of his inaugural season (2-7) at the helm of the Buccaneers and has worked hard to remedy the situation. An intensified offseason conditioning program for the veterans, combined with an aggressive recruiting effort, should pay dividends for the Bucs in 2002 and future years.

The offensive line, anchored by senior captain and four-year starter Dan Schaper, returns intact but must improve if the MMA offense is to get untracked. Veterans Paul Canzanella, Thomas Larkin, Fred Loewen and Paul Chevalier join Schaper up front and tight end John Muldoon (19 catches in 2001) returns for his final season.

Wide receiver Matt Holt caught 20 passes for four touchdowns as a junior and Tom Krug had five receptions in a limited role.

David Burrill provided a good deal of the offense for the Bucs in 2001 and his graduation leaves a huge hole. Burrill was third in the NEFC in rushing (131.9 ypg) and second in all- purpose yards with 171.2 per game. He gained 1,187 of the Bucs' 1,412 rushing yards and scored 66 of the team total of 120 points. James Stinson had only six carries as a junior but has the most experience of the returning veterans. The class of 2006 will be looked to for help at this most critical position.

Fullback Matt Desmond is also lost to graduation but sophomore Keith Griffin showed promise as a rookie and Fran Tragresser, who sat out his sophomore season, provide ability and depth.

Nichols (6-4 in 2001)
Coming off an appearance in the NEFC title game, Nichols' goal for 2002 is go one game further. The Bison return 14 starters from last year's Boyd Division championship team including the entire offensive line that helped produce the league's third-best offense last season.

The defense will be the strength of the team headed by senior co-captain Brian St. Peter. A First-Team NEFC linebacker, St. Peter led the conference in tackles last year with 119. He will get help up front from senior end Chris Dubay (41 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks), junior tackle Jay Barker (22 tackles, three TFLs) and junior nose tackle Adam Button (41 tackles, four sacks and three fumble recoveries).

Replacing NEFC second team corner LeVar Gary and second team free safety Courtenay Jackson is one of the Bison's top priorities. Senior corner J.C. Falaise (22 tackles, four pass breakups) returns at one corner and he'll be helped in the backfield by seniors Fidel Frias and Rich Parenti.

Senior captain Marc Groccia was a First Team All-NEFC and Second Team All-ECAC Northeast Selection in 2001 at left tackle. He anchors the offensive line featuring senior Brian Hayes and juniors Matt Chapman, Stephen Fogel and Efrain Mendoza Jr.

The biggest shoes to fill are at the quarterback position where Jarrod Rouanzoin capped off his Nichols career by being named NEFC Offensive Player of the Year last season. Senior wideout Nick Perron (30 catches, 429 yards and three touchdowns) will compete with junior Rob Beaudette for the starting position.

Whoever wins the job will look to find junior receiver Ben Karter who led the team with 37 receptions, 599 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jim Delorie (six receptions, 119 yards) will be counted on for a big season.

The running back job is Andricson Rivas' to lose. The sophomore carried the ball 71 times last year for 419 years and three scores. His 5.9 yard per carry average was tops on the team.

Salve Regina (4-4 in 2001)
With four losses in their last five games last year, Salve Regina looks to rebuild and rebound following a 4-4 season in 2001. Three of those four defeats came at Toppa Field where the Seahawks suffered their first losing season ever at home.

In each of the last two years the Seahawks have jumped out to a 3-0 start only to run into Worcester State and their first defeat each of those seasons. The Lancers loom as Salve Regina's third opponent in 2002, following two tough non-league contests (Springfield and Western Connecticut).

Third-year head coach Art Bell expects competition for roster spots on both sides of the ball including quarterback where returning senior Mike Golden posted solid numbers in 2001. Golden connected on 50% of his passes while finishing just four completions shy (63) of the school-record 67 set in 1995 by Brian Murray. Another strong arm belongs to second-year quarterback Jonathan Turrisi

Experience is crucial in Salve's Wing-T offense, but is exactly what the 2002 Seahawks will be lacking. With the graduation of All-NEFC and ECAC New England All-Star Eric Schneider and Kevin Lafontaine, the offensive line will feature youth in two sophomores, Andrew Abbate and Neil Fitzpatrick, among others. Senior Greg Rosenthal (6-2, 235) has impressed the coaching staff with his dedication and offseason work regimen.

Senior tight end Bill Nicholas will continue to contribute on run plays and as a receiving threat. Converted quarterback Brendan Reagan, one of four Seahawk captains, returns as the top target at wide receiver. Dan Decosta, Matt Minicucci, and David Oren will share the ball carrying duties. The trio of running backs combined for 32 carries and 159 rushing yards in 2001.

Salve Regina has always looked to its defense to be the strength of the football team and 2002 will be no different.The four-man front includes Dennis Frederickson, Mike Goodhue, and Joe Zacchera. A newcomer or young returner will get the other defensive end responsibilities. The Seahawks are led in the linebacking corps by senior Matt Maraia and sophomore Brian Galvin (43 tackles in 2001), but will feel the loss of graduated senior Matt Ormond and his team-leading five interceptions in 2001.

The Seahawks pack their most experience in the defensive backfield where third-year starter and captain Tom Slocum and Ron Casper combined for three of the team's 10 interceptions in 2001. Casper may see double-duty as a wide receiver and has performed as returner.

Second-year player Joe Brinkmeyer assumes the punting duties.

Western New England (3-5)
Can Western New England find a replacement for Marvin Langley?

That's the BIG question facing the Golden Bears as they prepare for the 2002 season.

WNEC hopes to improve on last year's 3-5 record with 18 returning starters, but will be without the herald Langley who ran for a school record 3,401 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 5,053 all-purpose yards during his sensational career.

Two other big losses are defensive backs Lester Johnson (school-record 12 interceptions) and Brian Luce (11 interceptions). Luce also ranked among the top kickoff returners in the nation last year.

"We lost Marvin and several other talented players, but another strong recruiting class gives us the best depth we've ever had during my 12 years here," says WNEC coach Gerry Martin. "We have great leadership with our captains who conducted an extensive off season conditioning program, and we have a number of exceptional transfers ready to step in and contribute right away."

WNEC started the 2001 campaign with five straight losses before ending the year with three consecutive victories. The Golden Bears scored 121 points in the wins, including a school-record 57 points against Framingham State.

Western New England hopes to build on that momentum with senior captains, defensive back John Marine (41 tackles), defensive lineman Scott Hurlbut (28 tackles), and linebacker Dom Sondrini (23 tackles), heading the list of 40 returning letterwinners.

A key performer down the stretch last year was tailback/quarterback Kyle Lezette who ran for 187 yards and a touchdown while throwing for two other scores in his rookie season. Lezette, who was among 14 players who started at least three games on offense, is expected to see action at running back. He will be joined by sophomores Mike Laroche and Neil Connery.

The quarterback position is open with sophomore Steve Ferko and junior Matt Sotherden the leading candidates. Ferko was the 2001 starter until an injury sidelined him for the final four games. Sophomore transfer Mike McCloskey and freshman Curtis Stillman will challenge for the starting assignment.

The offensive line looks strong with several experienced players led by junior Ryan Ascenzo, sophomores Jeremy Golec, Andy Therriault, and Derek Folsom. Tight ends Andrew Zell and Greg Clarke, and wide receivers Brett Hanson and Stephen Johnson are capable performers.

The Golden Bears have one of the top defensive players in the region in senior linebacker Charles Adams (76 tackles, 11.5 stops for losses) who was a second team New England Football Conference All Star last year. Also returning is junior cornerback Brad Estes who missed the 2001 season with an injury. Senior Anthony Verdile and junior Mark Rumbutis have the edge at the safeties positions. Junior Jeff Pinney should do well at a linebacker position while graduate student Joe DeMars, senior James Carvill, and juniors Paul Delanoy and John Piascik head the group of defensive linemen.

Western New England has two talented performers in junior punter Mike Lynch (34.9 avg. that was third in the NEFC) and sophomore place-kicker Loren Estabrook (20-for-21 PATs).

WNEC opens its 32nd season on Saturday, September 7 at Mount Ida before hosting NEFC champion Westfield State on Sept. 14 in the annual President's Trophy contest.

Worcester State (10-1 in 2001)
The Lancers are optimistic they will be in the hunt for the 2002 Bogan Division and NEFC title with 12 starters and 56 lettermen returning from a team that went10-1 in 2001 and won the ECAC Northeast Championship.

Worcester State will again feature a high-powered offense led by junior quarterback Cean Oksanish who threw a Division III New England-record 31 regular-season touchdown passes a year ago and had a 169.87 quarterback rating. He completed 141 of 259 passes for 2,651 yards.

Graduation has taken away the top two receivers Jeremy Frisch (67 catches for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns) and Kevin Gniadek (44 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns). Greg Lunn (21 catches for 344 yds) and Pat Arnold (12 catches for 301 yds) are back.

The Lancers top three running backs who combined for 1,841 yards and 19 touchdowns all return. Greg Wood (143 carries, 899 yards, 10 TD) Mike Buoniconti (111-724-5) and Hampton Clarkson (46-218-4) give the Lancers a solid running game. The offensive line has four starters, Casey Cullen, Chris Sullivan, Derek Ward and Brian Rourke back.

The defense was hard hit by graduation so the offense will have to carry the load in the early going to allow the defense time to mature. Returning on defense are Tom Milani and Marcus McLeod up front and Mike Gennetti, Jeff Whipple and Joe D'Ambra in the secondary.

Many players who saw action last season will step in to fill the holes and the Lancers have had an outstanding recruiting year with many promising freshmen and some key transfers who are expected to have an immediate impact on the team.

Coach Brien Cullen, the only head coach in Lancer history, enters his 18th varsity season with an overall record of 98-65 and three conference championships under his belt.

Maine Maritime (2-7 in 2001)
In his second season as head coach of the Mariners, Chris McKenney hopes to build off the momentum of the second half of last season. Maine Maritime lost six seniors to graduation, but return the NEFC Rookie of the Year in fullback Don Thibodeau (907 yds, four touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry) and the team's second leading rusher, Justin Cummings (471 yds, three touchdowns). The offensive line will be young, but has a strong anchor in senior captain Kendal O'Gorman. Patrick Bard is expected to be at full strength again and will be ready to fill in at either the quarterback or wide receiver positions where there will be plenty of competition for playing time. Also returning is veteran wide receiver Curtis Brown (453 yds, 23 rec, two touchdowns) who also accumulated 338 yards as the team's leading kickoff returner.

Expect the Mariner defense to be young but improved with the return of captains Dan Marriner, Alger Yanush (100 tackles), and seniors Eric McCaslin and Josh Pooler. Leading sophomores include Vance Gray, Ben Graffius, Ian Hanson, and Jared Slanewhite. The special teams will be led by Don Thibodeau who averaged 32.8 yards per punt in 2001. There will be as many as 30 new faces on the Maine Maritime sideline as Coach McKenney enjoyed a solid recruiting season. With the addition of some talented freshmen and the experience of the returners, the Mariners should create some excitement this fall.

Back to D3football.com