Over the last four seasons, the Manchester Essex football team came into the regular season with an abundance of experience.
Plenty of returning starters who had experienced every kind of game situation helped the Hornets to a 39-9 record from 2006-2009.
In 2010, however, the Hornets don't have the luxury of experience. Manchester Essex returns just three starters in 2009 — senior co-captains Alex Carr and Matt Wescott along with junior Paul Pennoyer. To top it off, the Hornets have just five seniors on the squad.
Fortunately for the Hornets, their co-captains are not only unafraid to take on extra leadership roles, they relish the opportunity.
"They definitely have an expanded role and they have jumped at the opportunity," Hornets head coach Mike Athanas said of Carr and Wescott. "They are both very good leaders and they do the job well."
The Hornets will find out just what they are made of on Friday night when they open their new Hyland Field against Lynnfield (7 p.m.).
The Hornets were hit hard by graduation, as they lost three of their top four rushers and every player that had a reception in 2009. Still, Wescott says an expanded captain's role has just fueled his fire.
"It's tough to follow such a strong class," Wescott said. "You have to work a little harder to earn the respect they had. But I have known my teammates since pee wee football and I am confident they will follow our lead."
As a junior, Carr had to take on a leadership role as the starting quarterback. The senior captain, however, had the luxury of backfield mates and conference all-stars Brian Ciccone (now at UNH), Ben Kekeisen and Jack Bishop. Because their entire backfield graduated, the Hornets will be running most of their offense out of the spread formation. Athanas says they will still run a balanced offense, but it will be up to Carr to groom his weapons into budding stars.
"Last year helped out Alex a ton," Athanas said. "This year Alex has pushed some kids to step up. He has command of the huddle and much-needed experience."
Last year, Carr threw for 1,603 yards and 15 touchdowns and added seven rushing TDs. His top targets in the passing game appear to be juniors Joe Burgess and Maverick MacEachern, who will start the season as the Hornets wide receivers.
MacEachern had just a handful of carries in 2009, while Burgess did not touch the ball at all. Senior Calvin Cook looks to get the bulk of the carries at running back.
What the skill position players may lack in experience, Carr says they make up for in talent.
"Just because they aren't well-known doesn't mean they don't have talent," Carr said of his backfield mates. "They just need the experience. My role is a bit greater this year in terms of getting everybody ready on offense and it's obviously a blow when you lose the three guys we lost in the backfield, but I think the players we have are going to surprise a lot of people."
Wescott also comes into his senior campaign battle-tested, as this will be his third season as the starting center. The 5-foot-9, 230-pound center has already assumed the responsibility of making all the calls on the line when it comes to blocking schemes. He has also taken fellow starting offensive linemen Pennoyer, Chris Wright, Julian Flavin and Zack Clement under his wing.
"I have taken the approach of making sure we are all on the same page instead of just worrying about myself," Wescott said. "We can't have a coach on the field, so I need to take the responsibility of being like a coach on the field."
Defensive line has shined
In 2009, the Hornets defense was their Achilles heal. Fast forward to 2010 and the Hornets have 11 new starters and a new attitude on the defensive side of the ball.
"We have played very physical on defense this preseason," Athanas said. "I'm very happy with the way they have looked."
The strength of the Manchester Essex defense this year appears to be their defensive line. The quartet of juniors Pennoyer and MacEachern at end, along with sophomores Flavin and Chris Wright in the middle have showed a lot of promise this preseason especially in a recent scrimmage against Pope John.
"We were alternating 10 plays a piece and the defensive line controlled nine of the 10 defensive snaps," Wescott said. "As a linebacker, they make our job a lot easier."
In addition to their talent, the group also has size, as all four of them weigh at least 200 pounds.
"The defensive line is going to be the focal point of the unit," Athanas said. "In the preseason they controlled the line of scrimmage and they have made plays, it's a young group but they are hungry."
Carr and Wescott will also have a bigger role on the defensive side of the ball as both will be starting for the first time.
Flying under the radar
Over the last three seasons, the Hornets have had a bull's-eye on their back and have been one of, if not the, favorite to win the Commonwealth Athletic Conference, whether it be the small in 2007 and 2008 or the large in 2009. But this year Manchester Essex is somewhat of an unknown, and that's just how Carr likes it.
"It's going to be nice to surprise some people," Carr said. "Nobody knows just how good we are because nobody has seen a lot of our players play. It's great that nobody knows what to expect from us because we are going to surprise them with our talent."
Athanas echoed Carr's sentiment but he also thinks the Hornets still do have a bull's-eye on their back.
"It's nice to fly under the radar," Athanas said. "But we are still going to get every team's best shot. We are the only non vocational school in a vocational school league so we always have a bull's-eye on our back."
Defending champion Whittier Tech along with Greater Lawrence look to be the favorites in the deep CAC Large. Manchester Essex, Lynn Tech and Shawsheen could also be players for the division title.
"I really like the way the team is growing," Wescott said. "At first I was a little doubtful of who was going to step up but the preseason has made me a lot more confident in this team."
