AMHERST — Chris Ehorn Jr. positioned himself in the press box for the start of practice.
It was a good vantage point for the Amherst Regional football coach to observe his team. The players had one request.
“Music please,” several shouted up to the press box.
Ehorn obliged.
“They might not like my rap music, but this is what they get,” Ehorn said.
The players didn’t mind. They quickly went about their drills to prepare for the upcoming season, which should be a good one for the Hurricanes.
“I’m excited,” Ehorn said. “We have a lot of returning players.”
The Hurricanes had an up-and-down season last year.
“We had some games where we were really good and others where we didn’t show up,” Ehorn said. “We need to be consistent in everything we do and be more competitive.”
The players are more than ready to put last season behind them.
“They run a tight ship,” Ehorn said. “They hold each other accountable.”
The players could not hide their enthusiasm during practice. It was obvious they enjoy the game.
“I love the group we have,” JB Mills said. “We lost some impact players, but we have some knew kids.”
Mills returns and the junior is poised to have a big season. He’s more experienced after making strides and growing in the position last year.
“I’d like to think I’m more comfortable reading defenses and what the opponents will show us,” Mills said. “It’s also a help that I’ll be working with a lot of the same guys we had last year.”
Mills has a big arm, which could cause fits for opposing defenses. Combine that with his intelligence and Amherst knows the position is in good hands.
“He had a good year last season,” Ehorn said. “Our goal last year was to manage the huddle and make the throws when we needed them. This year, we’re going to let him loose.”
Adding depth at the position will be newcomer Nate Mills, JB’s brother, who played on the golf team last season.
Josh Vecchio and Dan Block return.
“Dan came on for us late last season,” Ehorn said.
Twin brother J.J. Block will also see action.
Center Jeff Doyle is the lone returning starter.
Jack Nagy, Cenai Collins. Quinn Dullea and Owen Frenette are the tackles. The guard positions are up for grabs.
CJ Woodfine-Holmes is expected to emerge as a playmaker after playing mostly safety last season. Isaiah Moyston and Ethan Howard return.
Nagy and Collins are back. Newcomers Nate Mills and Tanner Imelio from Granby will also help.
Vecchio and the Block twins will anchor the unit.
Moyston can cover with the best of them. Jason Marques, Howard and Woodfine-Holmes form a tough defensive backfield.
“We have an athletic secondary,” Ehorn said.
Amherst Regional
CO-OP: Granby
COACH: Chris Ehorn Jr., third year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Intercounty South/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2017, lost 49-0 to state finalist West Springfield in WMass semifinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Jason Marques, CB/RB; Isaiah Moyston, CB/WR; Rene Alvardo, G; Sam Leonard, LB/TE; Bryce Rose, LB/WR; Dimitris Son, LB; CJ Woodfine-Holmes, SS/QB/WR/RB/LB; Juniors — JB Mills, QB/SS; Josh Vecchio, RB/LB; Ethan Howard, WR/DB; Cenai Collins, DT/OT.
RETURNING PLAYERS: JJ Block, RB/LB; Dan Block, RB/LB; Hunter Wolfson G/DT; Domenick Benoit, WR/DB; Conner Bowen, RB/LB; Geoff Doyle, C/DT; Landon Worgess, OG/LB; Joel Cruz-Rodrigues, OG/DT; Quinn Dullea, OT/DT; Owen Frenette, OT/NT; Tanner Imelio, OG/DE; Jack Nagy, OT/NT; Ian Yankson, WR/DB.
NEWCOMERS: Kai Caban, RB/LB; Keidy Cardoso, RB/LB; Leif Corp, WR/DB; Ahmed Elfawal, WR/DB; Kai Fortier, OL; Luis Gaj, RB/DB; Antonio Govan Jr., LB/RB; Sam Green, WR/LB; Kason Jordan, WR/DB; Keon Jules, OL; Kamilla Jules, OL; Gabriel Kebede, OG/DE; Nolan Klaes, C/DT; Efrain Knightly, OL; Erik Magner, OG/LB; Nate Mills, QB/DT; Daniel Molina, RB/LB; Taylen Pope, WR/DB; Tafari Proctor, DB/RB; Zayd Sadiq, DB/WR/QB; Ryan Saunders, DB/WR; Steven Steele, LB/RB; Xaiver Suter, WR;
OUTLOOK: JB Mills is primed to have a breakout season at quarterback. The Hurricanes have more experience and should be more consistent. Excellent team speed on both sides of the ball.