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Whittier football preview

2006 record: 12-1, lost in EMass Division 3 Super Bowl

Returning starters (3): Cam Taylor, Sr., TE/LB, 6-2, 210; Matt Miles, Sr., RB/DB, 5-6, 150; Anthony Rivela, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 235

Returning lettermen: Craig Eaton, Sr., RB/CB, 6-2, 180; Cameron Gadd, Jr., TE/DB, 5-6, 145; John Tricomi, Sr., FB/LB, 5-11, 185; Matt Burke, Jr., QB/DB, 6-1, 180; Jim Nickerson, Sr., QB/DB, 5-9, 160; Mike Gertz, Sr., QB/DB, 5-8, 160; Jeff Beauregard, Sr., TE/LB, 6-3, 180; Josh Oliver, Jr., TE/DL, 6-2, 180; Ryan Demaria, Jr., TE/LB, 5-10, 175; Tyler Page, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 175; Alan Gosselin, Jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 165; Bryan Trickett, Jr., RB/LB, 6-2, 200; Carlos Candelario, Jr., RB/DB, 5-6, 160; Nathan Buck, Jr., RB/LB, 5-8, 170; John Connor, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 190; Corey Chabuz, Jr., OL/DL, 6-4, 290; Pat Scheidegger, Jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 225; Matt Desroches, Sr., OL/DL, 5-7, 240; Bob DeBenedetto, Soph., OL/DL, 6-4, 310; Mike Brown, Jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 250; Jeremy Scannell, Sr., TE/LB, 6-1, 225

Newcomers: Frank Muraco, Jr., TE/LB, 5-8, 165; Chris Pendleton, Sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 165; Jeff Magee, Soph., TE/DB, 6-0, 170; Dillon Ryan, Soph., QB/DB, 6-1, 180; Branden Sheehy, Sr., TE/LB, 6-3, 180; Christian Reyes, Soph., RB/DB, 5-7, 145; Nick Ferreira, Soph., RB/LB, 5-10, 165; Corey Rooney, Soph., RB/DB, 5-7, 165; Don Leighton, Soph., RB/DB; 5-11, 175; Jeremy Bell, Soph., RB/DB, 5-7, 150; Steven Surette, Soph., RB/DB, 5-10, 160; James Witkum, Soph., RB/LB, 5-10, 170; Nate Allen, Soph., RB/LB, 5-10, 170; A.J. Brown, Soph., RB/LB, 5-10, 170; Ryan Scyzgial, Soph., RB/DL, 5-11, 185; Kobie Jackson, Sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 160; Peter Mascone, Soph., RB/DB, 5-5, 135; Chris Affannato, Soph., RB/LB, 5-7, 170; Markis Santiago, Soph., RB/LB, 5-10, 170; Joe Wynes, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 180; Bill Jordan, Soph., OL/DL, 6-1, 185; Connor Hendry, Soph., OL/DL, 5-9, 160; Pat Kennedy, Soph., OL/DL, 6-4, 235; Frank Carr, Soph., OL/LB, 6-1, 235; Joe Granhume, Soph., OL/DL, 5-10, 230; Anthony Hughes, Soph., OL/DL, 5-9, 170; Dan Mims, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 220; Luis Woodward, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 230; Joe Gabe, Jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 185; Dean Spero, Jr., OL/DL, 5-9, 280; Shawn Queenan, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 225; J.J. Walker, Soph., OL/DL, 6-2, 230; Nick Deveau, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 225; Jared Traub, Soph., OL/DL, 5-9, 160; Matt Spurling, Soph., OL/DL, 6-4, 310; Brendan Hoffses, Frosh., TE/LB, 6-3, 210; Shawn Mahoney, Soph., RB/DB, 5-6, 160; Zakk Castellano, Soph., RB/DB, 5-11, 165; Ralph Hancock Soph., TE/LB, 6-2, 200

Candidates in all grades: 110

Captains: Cam Taylor, Matt Miles, Craig Eaton, Jeff Beauregard

Offense: Straight-T; Defense: Multiple

Returning leaders: Craig Eaton 16-184-11.5, 5 rushing TDs; Eaton 16-129-8.1, 3 receiving TDs

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Jim Carlson (defensive coordinator), Rich Gardella (offensive line, linebackers), Dan Holgate (running backs, defensive backs), Matt Hayes (offensive, defensive line); Mike Cutrona (quarterbacks), Bill Yameen (freshmen)

Opener: Saturday, host Charlestown, 10:30 a.m.

Odds and ends: The Wildcats made their first postseason appearance in school history (excluding state vocational) and recorded their first postseason win with a 48-46 victory over Arlington Catholic in EMass Division 3 semifinals. ... Whittier won its first outright CAC title since 1979. ... The entire backfield graduated in All-Scholastic Jay Pena, Eagle-Tribune All-Stars Joel Penney and Clint Clay, Thane Sanford and QB James Fournier. ... Pena earned a scholarship to Division 1-AA powerhouse Delaware. ... Whittier finished No. 2 in Eagle-Tribune Fab 5 behind New Hampshire Division 1 state champion Pinkerton. ... The Cats beat archrival Tyngsboro for the first time since 1999. ... Aside from being a top chef and teacher at Whittier's acclaimed Poet's Inn Restaurant, freshman coach Bill Yameen is the older brother of Lawrence High head coach Mike Yameen and Newburyport High hockey coach Paul Yameen. ... When you go to a Super Bowl, it's tough to find non-league opponents. Kevin Bradley's club will take road trips to Narragansett High in Baldwinville, Mass., and Winnacunnet Regional in Hampton, N.H. ... Branden Sheehy makes the transition from soccer and will contribute immediately at both linebacker and tight end, although he's still learning to kick the football. ... He may just be a sophomore, but Dillon Ryan has experience on both the varsity baseball and basketball teams. Right now, Ryan is among a group of four still fighting it out at the starting QB spot. ... Kevin Bradley was a finalist for the Methuen High job.

Coach Kevin Bradley (7th year, 49-20): "We're still trying to learn the kids' names, we're such a young team. We've got good talent everywhere, and this group of sophomores could be special. But game experience is such a big thing, and we don't have much of it. John Tricomi has shown some nice things at linebackers, and our returners have shown pretty good leadership. A.J. Brown and Don Leighton are sophomores who will help right away."