NORTHAMPTON — Northampton will continue to run a veer power scheme on offense this fall, but with a twist.
In addition to a run game, the Blue Devils will look to throw the ball out of a shotgun set and from under center.
With the team pounding the ball so much last season, defenses started to stack the line of scrimmage and made picking up yards difficult; prompting a change in the game plan.
The team’s seniors put together a squad for a 7-on-7 summer league to give quarterbacks and receivers reps together before the start of preseason practice.
“I’m definitely excited to be able to open it up a little bit more,” senior quarterback Tom Jacques said. “Overall it is going to make us more dangerous to defenses. They aren’t going to know what to expect out of us because we will be able to hit them with so many different things. I think it is going to make us a lot better.”
Rick Rogalski is the team’s new offensive coordinator this season. Rogalski played quarterback at Northampton and coached with Kocot for many years at Easthampton.
Getting over .500 on the year is good enough for some teams, but not the Blue Devils. After a 6-5 campaign last season, the program is looking to take the next step.
“We had a meeting with the kids and said that if you take a test with 11 answers and you get six correct answers that’s around a 65 – 65 sucks,” said Kocot. “Their attitude (has been good). We’ve got some strong dudes. The offseason weight room (was great). I want to see a difference from last year from attitude to how we practice.”
Jacques has been the team’s starting quarterback since his sophomore season. He threw for 476 yards last year and is set to lead the Blue Devils from under center this fall.
Brett Holden and Braeden Tudryn are in the mix at running back. Kocot also plans on giving senior Kavan Powers a shot at the position. Powers played wide receiver last season.
“He’s got blazing speed – a 150 pounder that power cleans 230 pounds,” Kocot said. “We’d like to get him in an opening and see some cornerbacks bounce off him.”
Senior Jake Brittain will be back at wide receiver for the Blue Devils. Senior Sam Walker is poised to compete for the tight end spot. Powers, in addition to getting reps in the backfield, will also get some work as a receiver. Senior Jake Delisle is set to be a potential difference-maker on the outside as a deep threat. Formerly a soccer player, this season will be Delisle’s first playing football.
“We have a lot of kids that can be weapons for us this year, more so than other years,” Brittain said.
Jack Diggins is expected to lead Northampton in the trenches. The senior has had three different head coaches in his varsity career. With consistency at the helm, he is excited to see the team grow this season.
“It’s nice having a second year where we already know the system,” Diggins said. “I think we will be a lot stronger this year. Everyone knows the plays already.”
The team lacked size and numbers in the trenches last year. This season, coming off a productive summer in the weight room, Kocot is optimistic.
“This year we’ve got some big dudes – got some meat and some experience. … We’ve got a good mix.”
Three starters on the defensive line from last year’s team have graduated. Competition for the open spots is expected to be tightly contested prior to the season opener.
Brett Walker, Ben Fowler and Tudryn are set to get work at linebacker. Kocot noted that he likes players that are “hybrids” defensively. “We are going to mix things up,” he said.
“I like to be able to take a defensive end and make him a linebacker on different play sets and personnel setups.”
The Blue Devils’ secondary remains largely unchanged from last year with Brittain, Jacques and Powers returning.
Northampton went for the two-point conversion after nearly every touchdown last year, but the program plans to mix in some extra point kicks this season.
Northampton
CO-OP: Hopkins Academy
COACH: Joe Kocot, second year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Suburban South/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-5
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2016, lost to Longmeadow 49-16 in WMass D-3 semifinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Ben Fowler, RB/LB; Jack Diggins, C/DT; Jake Brittain, WR/S; Kavan Powers, RB/DB; Lenny Brown, WR/DB; Ryan Antes, OL/DL; Sam Walker, TE/DE; Tom Jacques, QB/S; Juniors — Braeden Tudryn, RB/DB; Brett Holden, RB/LB; Eddie Sarafin, OL/DE; Sophomores — Trevor Maslowski, WR/DB
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Nat Walton, OL/DE; Juniors — Kalle Charrette, OL/DE; Ryan Weise, WR/DB; Yano Porter, WR/DB; Sophomores — Dominic Badorini, QB/LB; Gabe Johnson, OL/DL; Jason Sylvester, OL/DL; Lucas Lang, OL/DL; Riley Weise, WR/DB; Tyrese Jordan Cox, WR/DB; Zev Hiranandini, RB/LB; Levi Richards, OL/DL
NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Dan White, OL/DL; Jake Delisle, WR/DB; Kalil Sopiaski, FB/LB; Nate Maggio, WR/DB; Nate Bidus, RB/DB; Juniors — John Proczynski, OL/DL; Jorge Martinez, OL/DL; Nick Rivers, OL/DE; Will Shaw, FB/DE; Tyler Verdi, RB/DB; Freshmen — Ben Sledzieski, QB, RB/DB; Brady Kerwood, OL/DL; Chris Delano, RB/DB; Josh Castro, RB/DB; Kaito Chelmo, RB/DB; Otis Proessler, OL/DE; Ryan Crowther, OL/LB; Trey Rios, RB/DB; Vincent Fahey, OL/DE; Wes Parent, FB/LB;
OUTLOOK: Northampton will look to pass the ball downfield more this season. Jacques is entering his third year as the team’s starting quarterback. The Blue Devils will have a strong offensive line and secondary, but will have new faces on the defensive line.