Methacton looks to keep momentum going
WORCESTER — The Methacton football team is coming off a season in which it went 8-3 overall and finished second in the Pioneer Athletic Conference with a 7-2 record.
That type of success may be difficult to duplicate in 2015 for a short-handed squad without much experience.
The Warriors numbers are down a little bit this year, as they have the smallest senior class – only five upperclassmen – since head coach Paul Lepre took over in 2010.
Only four starters return from the 2014 squad, two on offense and two on defense. Dylan Feaster brings experience to both sides of the ball at wide receiver and strong safety, Nick Rossi returns along the offensive line and Dylan Henry – an all-league selection last year – is back on the defensive line.
“We have a lot of holes to fill,” Lepre said. “I think so far our younger guys have made an admirable effort to take on that responsibility. They know that they are going to have to play up to play at a competitive varsity level. I think they have shown spurts of that throughout camp so far. We just have to get that to be more consistent of an effort.”
Methacton’s option offense, which Lepre said usually ends up being pretty balanced between the run and the pass, looks like it will be led by Jason Eckman at quarterback. Joining him in the backfield will be slot backs Kyle Fleming, John Keenan and Ryan O’Toole.
“(Fleming, Keenan and O’Toole) have been paying particular attention to detail,” Lepre said. “A lot of what we’re predicated on is motion and if the motion doesn’t matchup with the snap count then you’re going to throw the timing off of the entire play. Plus, I like the athleticism and speed that those guys bring to the table as well. They’ve been doing a real nice job. They’ve been practicing like they’ve been here before, which is what we look for out of everybody.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Methacton has a few players who contributed last year that are going to be taking on bigger roles in 2015. Lepre mentioned linemen Henry and Stephen Rhoads, linebackers Scott Stueben and Flemming and secondary players Feaster, Keenan, O’Toole and Tremain Wilson as players to watch.
“Defensively, coaches like to throw multiple fronts at people,” Lepre said. “With the lack of experience, we’re going to go maybe with a single set or two so that guys understand their job well and aren’t confused about where to lineup. We just want to get guys lined up and go play football, so we probably won’t be as multi-faceted as we were in the past with more experienced players.”
Top Photo: Ryan May runs a drill during morning football practice at Methacton High School football in Worcester on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. (Gene Walsh/The Times Herald)
