Hungry to get back to the Super Bowl

LEICESTER – From the base of a hill near the high school football practice field, a handful of long-rusted metal beams poked from under the thick weeds and underbrush. These planks were connected to the completely covered blocking sled buried in the overgrown vegetation. One of the beams still had a yellow cylinder-shaped dummy pad on it.

“This is our tradition at the start of every season,” said Leicester defensive coordinator Chris Barry as the entire team, in full pads and maroon practice jerseys, walked to the buried sled. “Every year we start the season by taking the sled out of the weeds.”

Several players grabbed parts of the sled as head coach Tim Griffiths and several other members of his staff shouted, “One, two, three pull!” They did this a number of times until the sled was finally freed from the green tentacles. The Wolverines were ready to start their first practice of the season.

The team is motivated to finally return to a normal football season after essentially missing the 2020 season, aside from three games in the spring, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are ready to literally and figuratively shake off the weeds to begin their march back to Gillette Stadium and another Super Bowl berth.

“I think we have a lot of talent with a good chance to make it back to Gillette,” senior co-captain Connor Linehan said. “We have a lot of experience; lots of seniors. So, I think we have a good chance of winning the whole thing.”

During the impromptu Fall II football season played in the spring of 2021, the Wolverines had a respectable 2-1 record with the last three remaining games cancelled due to COVID. In 2019, the team was 12-1 and won the D7 Central Mass title game to earn their Super Bowl berth.

The Leicester High School coaching staff said they need to work extra hard to make up for lost time. “We had a really good season two years ago,” said defensive coordinator Chris Barry. “We had a hard time last year with only three games and dealing with COVID and stuff like that.”

Most teams were able to play five to six games in the spring for valuable playing experience, but “we played three,” said head coach Tim Griffiths. “COVID hit hard here so we had to cancel our season … Those three games would have been huge for getting our younger guys experience.”

“We have high hopes for this team,” Barry said. “It’s just sad that this group missed out on three opportunities last year. So, trying to catch them up and giving some of the younger guys reps is obviously the challenge. The present sophomores learned some stuff, but it just was so hard. The field was basically unplayable the whole time so we were practicing in a parking lot. We couldn’t do everything we wanted to.”

Barry said the staff will not dwell on the negatives from last season, but plan to build on what they did well. “Our expectations are to have a successful, winning season,” he said. “We like to build on our last full-year’s success and from the few games we had last year. It’s still early but we do think we will have a team that can compete for a state championship in D7.

The word experience was thrown around a lot by both the players and coaching staff and for good reason. The Wolverines are led by six senior co-captains who have been playing together since their Pop Warner days in the fourth grade. They are Mike Mero at starting quarterback; Seth Larson starts in both the offensive and defensive backfield as a running back and strong safety; Nik Dagostino mans both the offensive and defensive lines; A.J. Direnzo starts at wide receiver and cornerback; Jimmy Mercier calls the defensive plays at middle linebacker while also suring up the offensive line; and Linehan plays alongside Larson at running back while also playing linebacker on defense.

“These guys are good leaders because they hold themselves to a high standard,” Barry said. “They show up in the off-season when we workout and for community service opportunities. They have some good experience and are extremely coachable …

Our seniors are great leaders and excellent players.”

The coaches expect the captains, as well as other returning players to make a positive impact in games. According to Barry, Mero poses a dual threat at quarterback. He has a great arm; he is a solid runner and serves as a great leader in the huddle.

“I feel like I need to help lead this team,” Mero said. “We have a good group of captains so we all have the potential to lead the team well. As a team, we should all stay humble with the talent that we got. We need to just work hard, don’t take any plays off, whether it’s on offense or defense, and keep the energy flowing.

“I know a lot of people are talking about the Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s a good end goal to have, but I believe we have to take it week by week, one game at a time and hopefully we get the results we want.”

The coaches described Xavien Rosario as a “pure athlete who will get lots of touches on the ground and through the air.”

Next is Larson, who has been given the nickname, “Daddy of the D,” for his leadership at strong safety and his willingness to help the freshmen and sophomore players. “I need to stay healthy and just lead my defense,” he said. “I just need to take the younger kids under my wing. Teach them the basics and when I see things on defense, like formations for opponents, I shout it out and tell everyone the job.”

Larson also helps power the Wolverine’s ground game at running back. The coaches described him as a “tough runner and solid receiver who will be a key contributor on offense.”

Linehan is another tough running back. The coaches call him someone “who runs hard and hits the hole.” Linehan said “I love the game and I love what it brings to the town. I’m just trying to help bring the team to the number one spot which is Gillette Stadium.”

The other key contributors as mentioned by the coaching staff are Luke Clay, 6-foot-3-inch target at tight end with solid hands which makes him an excellent possession receiver; and two anchors of both the offensive and defensive lines, three-year starters Dagostino and Andrew Zawalich.

“Me and 69 (referring to Zawalich jersey number) have been playing on the line since sophomore year,” said Dagostino. “We just added two other seniors giving us experience and size on the line. We’re a pretty big team.” He said the key to good line play is good communication.

Barry said a few up-and-coming underclassmen to watch are Griffin Metcalf, Stephen Matavao, Mitch Giggey, and Matthew Direnzo.

As for the coaching staff Griffiths serves as both the head coach and offensive coordinator. He has led this team since 1994. Barry is the defensive coordinator; Rigo Alfonso, Vinny Dagostino, and Andrew Targee all coach the offensive and defensive lines coach; Bob Cosenza coaches the running backs and linebackers; Bill Turgeon and Bob Erikson coach the wide receivers and defensive backs; Dave Goodrich helps with the running backs; and Nate Powers and Dan Turgeon coach the quarterbacks and defensive backs.

Despite the recent difficulties from the pandemic, the players insist they will be ready to play together to be successful.

“Our expectation is to come out of the gate firing,” Direnzo said. “We have a lot of talent. We have a great chance because of our comradery and staying together as a team. We will work hard every day we’re here. It’s conditioning. It’s putting the work in every rep.”

“Everybody here loves each other; you know what I mean?” Mercier said. “We’re a family, pretty much. We’re always family here at Leicester.”

Leicester Football

At a Glance

Nickname: Wolverines

Affiliation: South Worcester County League

Colors: Maroon and White

Record: 2-1 Fall II; 12-1 in 2019

Home Field: Leicester High School, 174 Paxton St.

Coach: Tim Griffiths (27th year)

Assistants: Chris Barry, Rigo Alfonso, Bob Cosenza,

Vinny Dagostino, Andrew Targee, Bill Turgeon,

Dave Goodrich, Bob Erikson, Nate Powers, Dan Turgeon