Warriors posted a 6-4 record in 2014
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — The JV football team did something that the Wakefield Memorial High varsity football couldn’t do this fall — it posted a winning record.
THERE WERE 21 juniors on the Warrior football roster, many of whom played at the JV level this past fall. In the front row (left to right) are Zach Conlon, Bradley Sletterink, Evan Gourville, Zach Kane, Ned Buckley, Paul McGunigle and Logan Dunn. In the second row (from left to right) are Alex Jancsy, Matt Smith, Matt Mercurio, Mike Morgan, Kevin Russo, Eric Smith and Brandon Baeringer. In the third row (from left to right) are Nick Nice, Jared Regan, Alex Fils-Aime, Nick Elcewicz, Mike Hakioglu, Tighe Beck and Devin Pronco. (Donna Larsson Photo)
The JV Warriors went 6-4 this season and continued the fine tradition of the Wakefield football program. The success Wakefield had at the JV level could bode well for next fall as the varsity program will seek to rebound from an up and down season.
Wakefield opened the season with a loss to Lexington on Sept. 13 at Lexington High School, but came back with a pair of victories over Lynn English on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Melrose on Saturday, Sept. 27. Both of the wins came at Landrigan Field.
The Warriors then lost to Watertown on Friday, Oct. 3 at Landrigan Field.
Wakefield then won three in a row against Wilmington, Stoneham and Burlington. The Warriors defeated Wilmington on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Wilmington High School, accepted a forfeit win against Stoneham in game that had been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at Stoneham High School, and then topped Burlington on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Varsity Field.
The Warriors then faced Lexington for a second time on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Lexington High School and dropped another game against the Minutemen.
Wakefield earned another win by forfeit as its game against Woburn, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, was forfeited by the Tanners.
The Warriors’ final game of the season was against Reading on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Wakefield lost by three points.
“The juniors and sophomores will return kids with some varsity experience next year,” said assistant varsity and JV coach Ruben Reinoso. “This year, there were a lot of seniors so the juniors and sophomores were able to play in the JV games and play together as a team. I think they will bring a lot of the varsity football team next year.”
The JV Warriors were led by junior quarterback Ned Buckley and sophomore signal caller Kobe Nadeau. Buckley was the more mobile quarterback, while Nadeau was more a pocket passer type.
THERE WERE 23 sophomores on the Warrior football roster, many of whom played JV this past fall. In the front row (from left to right) are C.J. Wixon, Brad Safner, Will Shea, PJ Iannuzzi, Pat Leary, Ryan Murray and Alex McKenna. In the second row (from left to right) are Anthony Denham, Mike Powers, Carmen Sorrentino, Brendan O’Callahan, Ben Thompson and Kobe Nadeau. In the third row (from left to right) are Dan MiMeglio, Conor Gregson, Cole Mottl, Joe Connell, Tom Hayes, Matt Murdocca and Devin Shaw. Missing from the photo are Ben Piercy, Bailey Ritter, and Joe Marinaccio. (Donna Larsson Photo)
“They both did a great job,” said Reinoso.
The offensive backfield should also be bolstered by running backs Kevin Russo, Carmen Sorrentino, Will Shea and Alex Jancsy. Russo and Jancsy are both juniors and Sorrentino and Shea are sophomores.
“Russo played more of a wing,” said Reinoso. “We have a lot of guys in the backfield. There will also be some sophomores in the mix. That breeds competition which is a good thing. Some of them had some carries this year, so they have some varsity experience.”
Wakefield also has four to five big linemen who have learned from their experience and that should help the varsity next year as well.
Also there were underclassmen that gained experienced on defense, too.
There were even varsity players that played some JV, too. Junior Zach Kane, who played at linebacker primarily for the varsity, also played JV on the offensive side of the ball at running back. Kane is an example of a couple of players that did just.
“The JV players have learned from their experience and hopefully will bring that experience and help the varsity football program return to its winning ways next year,” said Reinoso.
The juniors on the Warrior roster included Alex Fils-Aime, Tighe Beck, Buckley, Nick Elcewicz, Matt Smith, Eric Smith, Zach Conlon, Russo, Jancsy, Kane, Paul McGunigle, Evan Gourville, Matt Mercurio, Jared Regan, Nick Nice, Bradley Sletterink, Brandon Baeringer, Mike Hakioglu, Logan Dunn, Devin Pronco and Mike Moran.
The sophomores on the Warrior roster included Alex McKenna, Pat Leary, Nadeau, Sorrentino, Shea, Ryan Murray, Ben Thompson, Ben Piercy, PJ Iannuzzi, Brad Safner, Cole Mottl, Joe Marinaccio, C.J. Wixon, Matt Murdocca, Tom Hayes, Connor Gregson, Mike Powers, Anthony Denham, Devin Shaw, Dan DiMeglio, Joe Connell, Brendan O’Callahan and Bailey Ritter.
The Warrior JV team had a fine season while the WMHS freshman team also was competitive making the future of Wakefield Memorial High football bright.
