Whitman-Hanson Express

You are here: Home / Archives for Sports

Catching up with … W-H athletic trainer Lexie Watkins

By

Lexi Watkins looks on as her clinical student helps a Panther to his feel. / Photo by: Sue Moss

A Q&A with Lexie Watkins.

Not only is Lexie Watkins an athletic trainer at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, but she’s a teacher as well.

The Express caught up with Watkins, who has been at the school since 2013, to find out a little bit about her past and find out why she is where she is today.

Q: So, can you tell me a little bit about your background?

A: “I’m from Coloma, a small town in Michigan. I went to Albion College in Albion, Michigan for my undergrad (athletic training and PE double major, 2004). I went to Brown University in Providence, R.I., for my master’s in public health (in 2010). After Brown, I worked for a couple of years doing research at Boston Children’s Hospital, which is why I ended up staying in this area.”

Q:When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an athletic trainer and why?

A:“I went to college thinking I would go on to medical school, and I stumbled into athletic training the second semester of my freshman year. I took an introduction to athletic training class and loved it. I was a three-sport athlete in high school and played softball in college, so I really enjoy being around athletics, and athletic training seemed to give me a great mix of athletics and medicine. Plus, I love working with the high school age group and being involved at the high school setting.”

Q: In addition to being an athletic trainer at WHRHS, are you a trainer elsewhere?

A: “I’m not currently an athletic trainer anywhere else. I do work some per diem for tournaments and camps throughout the year, but otherwise I’m mostly only at Whitman-Hanson.”

Q: Did you have training experience elsewhere prior to your arrival at WHRHS in 2013?

A: “I worked for Cambridge Health Alliance in Somerville and covered Bunker Hill Community College athletics and semi-professional football for two years. I’ve also worked for Attleboro High School, Brown University and Curry College as a per-diem athletic trainer and Grosse Pointe South High School (Michigan). As a per-diem athletic trainer, I’ve covered Boston College men’s club ice hockey, Tufts University men’s club ice hockey, semi-professional rugby and college rugby.”

Q: What brought you to WHRHS?

A: “I enjoy being at the high school level, and Somerville was quite the commute as I live on the South Shore.”

Q: What do you like most about your position at WHRHS? How are the athletes?

A: “I most enjoy working with the student-athletes. It’s fun to get to know them outside of class, and be there for some of their most successful moments on the field/court. Though I’m also there for some of their worst moments, in the case of major injuries, it’s rewarding to have an athlete trust you enough to let you look at them when they are in pain. I have also enjoyed working with the coaches here. They have all been respectful of my position, which makes it easy to discuss athletics with them. I also enjoy that every day is different and challenging; I never know what is going to happen that day.”

Q: Has your athletic trainer position changed, if at all, at all over the years?

A: “There is more paperwork associated with concussions than when I started working as an athletic trainer; the state of Massachusetts mandates reporting of concussions, so each one is documented on a special form, and each athlete with a concussion must do a return-to-play program, which is documented as well. The guidelines for caring for and diagnosing concussions have changed since I began working as an athletic trainer, we are much more conservative now than we were in 2005.

“As an athletic trainer, I have to stay up to date with the latest research and therapies, and a lot has changed in that arena since I started. For example, kinesiotape and Graston didn’t exist when I first started working. Bracing and padding has also improved – better materials to construct pads on the fly, and athletes can now buy a lot of additional braces and pads.”

Q: Can you tell me a little about the class you teach at the high school?

A: “The class is sports medicine. I taught it for the first time last fall, and it was created as a complimentary class to anatomy and physiology, which is taught in the science department. Sports medicine expands upon what is learned about the skeletal and muscular systems in anatomy and physiology, and also teaches the students about medical terminology, injury evaluation and documentation. The class is great for anyone interested in a medical career, not just sports medicine, and prepares the students for certification in CPR as well. So far I’ve gotten great feedback from the students that have taken it.”

Q: What’s a normal day like for you?

A: “I am considered a part-time teacher, part-time athletic trainer. I generally teach the last two or three classes of the day (depending on the rotation that day) and stay until games are finished in the evening.”

Q: What else do you do at WHRHS?

A:  “I am also a clinical instructor for Bridgewater State University, and I frequently take on a student to be here at WHRHS with me.”

Big senior season lands Martell at Mass. Maritime

By

Billy Martell / Photo by: Sue Moss

Billy Martell is headed to Mass. Maritime.

When he met with Whitman-Hanson Regional High head football coach Mike Driscoll to discuss his junior campaign, Billy Martell was told something he’d work tirelessly over the next year to make a reality.

“Coach Driscoll said, ‘You’re one of a few kids who has the talent to play in college,’’’ recalled Martell.

After an offseason consisting of many grunts, followed by a Patriot League All-Star season, Martell has committed to play football at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

“Mass. Maritime is getting a great young man and someone who can play football at a pretty high level,” Driscoll said. “He will do big things for Maritime.”

Martell, who said he’s looking into studying emergency management, has had his eyes on attending the Buzzards Bay-based college since August.

“I was thinking about my future and their employment rate is almost 100 percent,” Martell said. “I didn’t want to go too far, and I didn’t want to go on a huge campus.”

After converting to wide receiver as a sophomore, Martell transitioned back to running back this season and flourished, taking 73 carries for 518 yards and three touchdowns. His 7.1 yards per carry led the team.

Martell had his best outing against Bridgewater-Raynham, gashing the Trojans’ defense for 104 yards and a score.

On defense Martell, a two-year starting safety, posted 52 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions.

“I just wanted to show everyone who I am this season,” Martell said.

Martell said it was a rewarding season for him.

“At the end of last season we were in the weight room right away,” Martell said. “I worked much harder this offseason than I ever have. We did our offseason lift and we got a strength coach which helped us a lot and then we had passing leagues.”

Driscoll constantly lauded Martell’s speed throughout the season, calling him “the fastest player on the team.” Whether it was at running back or tracking down the ball carrier, Martell was instrumental in the Panthers’ success.

“He’s very dynamic in the backfield but his defense was really, really impressive at safety,” Driscoll said. “You didn’t have to worry about too much with him in the back.”

Mass. Maritime, which competes in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III, finished 2-8 last season.

“I’m looking to work on my speed and improve my footwork,” Martell said.

Season Preview: Gymnastics team goes co-op, works with new coach

By

Sarah O’Shaughnessy takes the helm of the gymnasitcs team.

There are alot of changes with the gymnastics team this season at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

The first is the program is now a co-op with Middleboro, expanding on the two schools’ relationship that includes boys’ and girls’ swimming/diving teams.

Secondly, Sarah O’Shaughnessy is the new voice of the club, taking over for Rachel Cohen-Sferuzza, last season’s Patriot League Coach of the Year. O’Shaughnessy has an extensive gymnastics background and has been coaching since the age 14.

“My coach at Massachusetts Gymnastics [Center] asked me if I wanted to start coaching,” O’Shaughnessy expanded. “So, I was there for about seven years and I coached recreational and the bronze, silver and gold team.”

After residing in Florida for the past couple of years, O’Shaughnessy returned to Massachusetts in August.

“Someone reached out to the director of mygym, Tammy, and asked her if she would be interested and since she coaches Notre Dame [Academy of Hingham], she was like, ‘I think you should do it,’” O’Shaughnessy said.

The Panthers, who finished 9-4 last season with the help of regional qualifier Britney Blackstone, are led by senior captain Erin McCoy.

“You can tell she is a leader,” O’Shaughnessy said. “She’s very positive. She’s always there and very welcoming to Middleboro girls and she’s a very good person for the team.”

With teamwork key in gymnastics, O’Shaughnessy said she’s aiming to create it between the two schools. Six of the team’s girls come from W-H, while the other four come from Middleboro.

“It’s honestly about making it so the two teams are comfortable and knowing who their teammates are and everything and just have a good time, get to know each other,” O’Shaughnessy said.

O’Shaughnessy said she’s still trying to figure out where the team is strength-wise.

“They’re working together and there haven’t been any negative things, so,” O’Shaughnessy said.

Other players from W-H include captain Joelle Puopolo, Kate Pihl, Adrianna Caperello and Madison Scaccia.

The Panthers return to action Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Pembroke for a league meet. 

“I’m more trying to get them to come together,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I know they didn’t think they were going to have a team at all, so I’m more trying to get them to come together.”

Week 3: Girls’ swim/divers top charts

By

A look back at Week 3.

[ Editor’s note: Due to an early holiday deadline, scores from Saturday, Dec. 22 are not included in this report.]

Week 3 is in the books at Whitman-Hanson Regional High. Girls’ swimming/diving remains the only undefeated team, while girls’ basketball has collected two straight victories.

Boys’ basketball (3-1) defeated North Quincy, 6834, Tuesday, Dec. 18 behind 10 points apiece from juniors John Zeidan and Stevie Kelly. … On Friday, the Panthers topped Marshfield, 65-49. Junior Ben Rice paced Bob Rodgers’ club with 17 points.

Girls’ basketball (2-2) routed North Quincy, 70-25, Tuesday, Dec. 18. Junior Brittany Gacicia sparked the offense with a career-high 18 points. … On Friday, W-H received a double-double from senior captain Kathryn Dunn (12 points and 10 rebounds) to down Marshfield, 39-29. Senior Meg Henaghan added four blocks and 10 boards in the win.

Boys’ hockey (1-2-1) fell to Plymouth North, 4-0, Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Boys’ indoor track (1-1) was dealt a 78-22 defeat to Hingham on Friday, Dec. 21.

Girls’ indoor track (0-2) was also dealt a defeat to Hingham on Friday, Dec. 21, 73-27.

Gymnastics (0-4) lost to Scituate, 118.8-116.3, Wednesday, Dec. 19. Senior Sarah Bombardier won all-around with a 31.9. … On Friday, the co-op scored a 113.6 and lost to Pembroke/Silver Lake (135.1), Marshfield (131.75) and Hingham (124.9).

Boys’ swimming/diving (2-1) received solid performances from senior Nate Manley in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relay to tame the Bulldogs of Rockland, 9365, Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Girls’ swimming/diving (3-0) remained undefeated with a 90-72 victory over Rockland on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Junior Madison Navicky broke her time in the 200-yard freestyle, while Abby Bonney and Katelyn Sweeney performed well in the 200-yard medley relay.

Wrestling (1-9) was defeated by Silver Lake, 38-33, Wednesday, Dec. 19. Wins came from sophomores Myles McInnis (113 pounds), Matt Butler (126), Damari Goldsmith- Greene (138) and Nate Morse (145) and junior Mike Gardner (220).

Leahy heads into break on high note for UMass Dartmouth

By

Sean Leahy. / Courtesy photo

Former W-H basketball standout Sean Leahy is starting to find his rhythm for UMass Dartmouth.

Sean Leahy couldn’t have scripted a better way to head into the winter break.

In UMass Dartmouth men’s basketball’s final game of the semester, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound freshman forward from Hanson got his second start and erupted for a career-high 17 points in a 90-75 victory over Tufts on Dec. 10.

“He shot the ball well from the perimeter,” UMass Dartmouth head coach Brian Baptiste said.

Leahy connected on five of seven field goals, which included an 80-percent showing (four of five) from beyond the arc. The outing earned him Little East Conference Rookie of the Week honors in men’s basketball.

“It definitely feels good,” Leahy said. “That was a big win as a team and a big win over Tufts, so as a team it felt great and hopefully it will give us some momentum in the second half of the season.”

It’s been a work in progress this winter for Leahy, who’s battling back from two broken wrists. In the Corsairs’ first six games, Leahy averaged just 13 minutes per game, but over their last four outings he’s averaged 31.5 minutes per contest, including back-to-back starts.

“He’s been slowly coming along because of his injuries, and when he comes into the game he’s increased his minutes as the season’s gone on,” Baptiste explained. “He’s just playing better and better as the season moves forward.”

Leahy, a nursing major and the 2017-18 Patriot League Keenan Division MVP, said the adjustment to the college game has been a battle, for sure.

“Everyone up here is a little bit quicker, a little bit stronger, but definitely I now have to think about how I play defense, how you slide,” Leahy said. “It doesn’t come as easy as in high school.”

However, he’s using a few lessons learned at the high school level in his adjustment.

“I would definitely say paying attention to the little details and how you approach drills and how you play,” said Leahy of the lessons learned in high school he’s carried over into the collegiate rank. “And then probably how you play the game and not cutting corners.”

Baptiste said Leahy’s top asset is his understanding of the game.

“He makes smart decisions,” Baptiste said. “He’s added a great deal to the team. He’s got a lot of versatility. He’s a big man, he can shoot from the perimeter, he can handle the ball like a guard, he passes well, he rebounds well, he’s got a big upside.”

Leahy said he’s going to spend a majority of his break in the gym before the 7-4 Corsairs resume play Jan. 3 against Becker.

“I’m looking to get a little stronger so I can hang in the paint with those bigger guys, but that’ll take time,” he said.

Baptiste said he’s looking forward to what the next three and a half years will bring for Leahy.

“I expect him to be an outstanding player for us,” said the coach.

Season Preview: Girls’ indoor track faces a deep Patriot League

By

The Panthers will be led by captains Ally Bartlett and Samantha Perkins.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ indoor track team is aiming to stay afloat as it works its way down a grueling schedule.

“Ideally, we would like to win several meets in what has become a very deep and talented Patriot League,” said fifth-year head coach Steve George, whose team went 1-3-1 last winter. “But realistically, we have eight to 10 girls who are very athletic and have the experience needed to be successful this season.”

With their multi-event experience and success, seniors Ally Bartlett (captain) and Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue and junior Samantha Perkins (captain) will boost the club.

“All three girls can long jump, high jump, throw the shot put, run the hurdles and dash events and can run mid-distance events if called upon,” George explained.

George said he is also counting on junior Courtney Woodward, sophomore Hailey Minicucci and freshman Skylar Jordan to fill similar roles of competing in multiple events.

“Courtney moves back from distance/mid-distance where she was good, to faster events at which she is very good,” George said. “Hailey is a speedster and Skylar is a diamond in the rough and will improve dramatically through the season.”

In the mid-distance and distance events, the Panthers will be led by the cross country team’s top runner, junior Tori Boss, and senior Maeve McDonough. Sophomores Izzy Amado and Anna Sullivan are also valuable pieces due to their versatility.

“[I] feel certain that we will be very competitive in the 600, 1,000, mile and 2-mile each week,” George said. “I’m also confident with our 300 runners.”

It’s the sprinting, hurdles and relays that have been a focal point on improvement for George. The Panthers added former standout, Samantha Richner to their staff to build up the group.

“Bringing on coach Richner addresses the areas of sprints, hurdles and field events and we are hoping to see improvement in those areas,” George said. “Putting together our relay teams (4×400 and 4×200) is a priority as is getting them in sync with each other. Obviously handoffs are crucial in those events and we are working with all the potential relay runners to find a good fit.”

George said a few freshmen have caught his attention early on, but most namely Emily Hanrahan.

“Emily looks like a terrific shot putter,” the coach said. “[That’s] something we have been looking for since I arrived five year sago.”

The Panthers are back in action Friday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. against Hingham at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury.

“With a relatively small team of 35, we necessarily move kids to different events every meet,” George said. “Almost everybody with experience has had to participate in various events already and they are ready to do whatever it’s best for the team.”

Season Preview: Boys’ indoor track has some big shoes to fill

By

Returner Billy Martell last season. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The boys’ indoor track looks to build over the season.

Head coach Mike Driscoll’s expectation of his Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ track team is for it to show constant improvement.

The Panthers, who finished the year 2-3 last winter, have some large voids to fill with the graduation of all four of their Div. 3 All-State qualifiers in Brian Edwards, Brett Holmes, Andrew Newman and Jack Ryan.

“Those holes are big with those guys, and they create some problems in our lineup, but there will be kids stepping into their roles,” said the team’s sixth-year head coach. “I don’t know if they can say they’re going to step into Jack Ryan’s shoes or a Brett Holmes’ shoes or Andrew Newman’s shoes, but we certainly have kids who are ready.”

W-H does return its fair share of talent. Senior captain Billy Martell emerged last season as one of its top sprinters and relay runners. This season, he’ll throw the shot put in addition to running the 55-meter dash, 300-meter dash, long jumping and running a leg of a relay.

“He’s just a fast kid,” Driscoll said. “He can throw the shot put up to 40 feet. He fills a lot of holes on a track team.”

Martell, along with fellow senior captain Dan Kline, classmate Brandon O’Brien and junior Kyle O’Brien, are at the center of the Panthers’ strength – their sprinting.

“We feel like the sprinting group is our top group,” Driscoll said. “We have some really good distance runners, too.”

The distance runners are led by a bevy of cross country runners from the fall.

Senior captain Shane Schraut, a boys’ cross county captain, will run distance and relay in addition to hurdling as well.

“He’s a great leader and a passionate kid about track,” Driscoll said. “He’s very dynamic. He can cover a lot of ground in a lot of events. He can go from the 600 down all the way down to the 55 dash.”

Other cross country runners in the fall bolstering the Panthers in the distance events will be junior Brandon Hager and sophomores Liam Cafferty, Theo Kamperides and Chris MacDonald.

Kline will also throw shot put, and chip in running a relay and hurdle.

“Dan is one of the best hurdlers in the league,” Driscoll said. “He’s a very hardworking kid.”

Junior Pat Bui fills gaps in the 55-meter dash, 300-meter dash and shot put.

The Panthers are back in action Friday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. against Hingham at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury.

“We’ll see where we matchup with Hingham,” Driscoll said. “We still might have enough depth to win a league championship but we’ll compete.”

A look back at Week 2

By

A look back on Week 2.

The winter action is in full swing at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Boys’ basketball (1-1) received 21 points from junior Ben Rice and 15 from classmate Colby Ahern to defeat Quincy, 63-52, in its opener Tuesday, Dec. 11. The Panthers outscored the Presidents 36-20 in the second half to erase a five-point deficit. …On Friday, W-H fell on the road, 58-55, to Hingham. Sophomore Cole LeVangie paced Bob Rodgers’ club with 14 points.

Girls’ basketball (0-2) fell to Quincy, 57-44, on the road in its opener Tuesday, Dec. 11. Junior Brittany Gacicia was the Panthers’ high scorer with 11. … On Friday, Jenna Olem’s team hosted and fell to Hingham, 42-34. Senior captain Olivia Johnson dumped in eight points and snatched seven boards in the defeat.

Boys’ hockey (1-1-1) skated to a 4-4 tie against Silver Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Junior Eddie Collins scored twice, while senior captain Ed Scriven and junior assistant captain Adam Solari both added goals. … On Saturday, despite a hat trick from junior Chris Stoddard, W-H still fell to Scituate, 5-4, in a back-and-forth affair.

Boys’ indoor track (1-0) edged Duxbury, 51-49, Wednesday, Dec. 12. Wins came from sophomores Liam Cafferty (mile, 4:58.41) and Theo Kamperides (2-mile, 10:48.76), juniors Brandon Hager (1,000m, 2:54.19) and Pat Bui (300m, :40.85) and senior captain Dan Kline (55m hurdles, :09.62).

Girls’ indoor track (0-1) fell to Duxbury, 59-41, Wednesday, Dec. 12. Senior captain Ally Bartlett (:09:70) produced a win in the 55-meter hurdles as did sophomore Izzy Amado (3:24.15) in the 1,000-meter run and senior Maeve McDonough (12:59.17) in the 2-mile run.

Boys’ swimming/diving (1-1) fell to North Quincy/ Quincy, 86-78, on Monday, Dec. 10. … The co-op upended Randolph, 91-71 on Friday.

Girls’ swimming/diving (2-0) swam past North Quincy/ Quincy, 99-80, on Monday, Dec. 10. In the 100-meter backstroke, junior Madison Navicky clocked in at 1:13.47. … On Friday the co-op defeated Randolph, 88-50. Navicky qualified for states and junior Nikki Kamperides set a personal-best in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:23.59.

Wrestling (1-8) was downed by Plymouth North, 48-30, Wednesday, Dec. 12. Wins via pin came from sophomore Matt Butler (126 pounds), senior Joel McInnis (152), junior captain Tyler Cullinan (170), freshman Jason Rapoza (182) and senior captain Christian Schneider (195). … On Saturday, the Panthers went 1-4 on the day in a super-quad meet. The victory came against Pembroke by a score of 41-39, while the losses came to Marshfield (42-39), Toll Gate, Rhode Island (42-39), Oliver Ames (60-18) and Duxbury (54-23). Butler finished the day 4-1 to lead Gary Rabinovitz’ young team.

*Express weekly roundups consist of games from Monday to Saturday.

Season Preview: Panthers wrestling team no longer lacks experience

By

Tyler Cullinan records a pin in the Panthers’ opener. / Photo from: Gary Rabinovitz

The Panthers look to snap a streak of two seven-win seasons.

What was once a weakness is now a strength for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team.

“We were very young last season and all of our returning wrestlers gained valuable varsity time,” said third-year head coach Gary Rabinovitz. “In wrestling, experience and mat time counts and we have a lot of that returning this year. Taking your licks one year makes you a better wrestler the next.”

The Panthers return all three of their Div. 2 South Sectional qualifiers and their top two wins leaders, as they try to push past the seven-win mark, where they’ve been stuck on for the past two winters.

“The goal has been to grow this program to the next level and that has not changed,” Rabinovitz said. “We will look to improve on our dual meet win-loss record and then qualify several wrestlers for the D2 state championships in February.”

The program’s youth is its best chance to propel it to the next level. Junior captain Steve Brooks returns to the mat to compete in the 152-pound weight class yet again after posting a team-leading 19 victories and 15 pins to qualify for Div. 2 South Sectionals last season.

“Steve worked hard in the offseason wrestling at Dungeon Training Center in Hanover,” Rabinovitz said. “With two sessions of offseason wrestling under his belt, Steve should be a more competitive wrestler this year.”

Sophomores Matt Butler, Damari Goldsmith-Greene and Myles McInnis headlined an impressive core of freshmen to hit the mat last season. The three combined for 38 wins. Butler returns to the 126-pound weight class after he ranked second on the team with 16 victories, placed in three tournaments and qualified for the Div. 2 South Sectionals.

“Matt Butler brings a lot of energy and experience to this year’s team,” Rabinovitz said.

Goldsmith-Greene produced 11 victories and 55 points out of the 132-pound weight class last winter. “Damari has been working very hard every day in practice and looks like a seasoned veteran,” Rabinovitz said. “Damari will start the season in the 138-pound weight class and looks to drop to the 132-pound weight class before too long.”

Myles McInnis also racked up 11 victories, but in the 106-pound weight class. This winter he’ll compete at 113 pounds. His brother Joel McInnis, a senior, was the team’s other sectional qualifier after a 12-win season at 145 pounds, a weight class he’ll return to.

“Both were varsity starters last season and have tons of experience,” Rabinovitz said.

Junior Tyler Cullinan will serve as one of the captains and bump up to the 170-pound weight class from 160, where he tallied 11 wins last season.

“Tyler surprised many as a wrestler last season with a deadly headlock that I know he will be using again this season,” Rabinovitz said.

Junior Matt Rock will provide the team with some much-needed depth due to his ability to compete at both 120 and 126 pounds. Senior captain Christian Schneider is back from a knee injury and will wrestle in the 195-pound weight class. A pair of freshmen in Joe Boss (106 pounds) and Jason Rapoza (182) will be looked upon to have an immediate impact.

“I look for this team to grow week after week so that we peak at the proper time, that being sectionals and then the state tournament,” Rabinovitz said.

The Panthers return to mat Saturday at Dec. 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. for a super-quad meet in Marshfield. 

“Dec. 19 at Silver Lake will be a real barn-burner, as we have split the last two seasons,” Rabinovitz said. “Jan. 30 should also be a big match with Duxbury as we surprised them last year at Duxbury.”

Season Review: Football team seniors made their mark from the start

By

Seniors with trophy. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The senior-laden Panthers went 8-3 on the season.

When they were freshmen, Whitman-Hanson Regional High football head coach Mike Driscoll knew there was just something different about this season’s group of seniors.

“There were a bunch of them,” Driscoll said. “They started with like 40 kids and they were rolling people and playing good football.”

But the success isn’t what caught his immediate attention.

“You could tell the core of the kids really loved the game,” Driscoll said. “We kind of knew coming into their sophomore year that we were going to get something out a few of the kids. We knew early on that they were going to be a pretty good group.”

As sophomores they helped lead the team to a 7-4 season, as juniors they did the same, but in their final seasons the 16 of them helped Driscoll hit a mark he hadn’t since his first year as head coach. That’s the eight-win plateau.

“I told the seniors how proud we were of them for their four years in the program, and I told the younger guys to remember how it feels and do what those kids did and just continue on what they did,” said the eighth-year head coach.

The Panthers posted statement wins over Marshfield (41-13) in their opener, Quincy (39-0), Silver Lake (29-6) and Abington (16-0) on Thanksgiving.

“They were a hard-working group,” Driscoll said. “They were a resilient group and they were talented.”

With its offense working through some changes throughout the season, W-H’s defense was its one constant, as it recorded three shutouts and surrendered just 11.7 points per game. The unit was led by senior captain and league all-star Mike Connors. The middle linebacker racked up a team-leading 100 tackles.

“Mike is the quarterback in the middle and made our defense run,” Driscoll said. “He knows the game inside and out and it pays off. Mike is a student of the game.”

While Connors shored up the middle, senior Billy Martell was the rock in the secondary, recording 52 tackles and three interceptions from his safety position. On offense, he chipped in 518 rushing yards and three scores. The two-way threat was also a league all-star.

“He’s very dynamic in the backfield but his defense was really, really impressive at safety,” Driscoll said. “You didn’t have to worry about too much with him in the back.”

Senior captain Quinn Sweeney and classmate Ryan Trongone were also two-way stars for W-H on the line. Sweeney was second on the team with 85 tackles and led it with 24 tackles for loss and seven sacks en route to a league all-star selection. Trongone was second on the team with 17 tackles for loss to go with 65 tackles.

“They’re the heart and soul of the team,” Driscoll said. “[They’re] gritty, tough and hard-nosed football players. They played great, but they also practiced great.”

Senior Nate Beath, a transfer from Pembroke, was a three-way asset for W-H due to his punting (31.8 punt average), blocking, rushing (244 yards, two TDs) and tackling (58 tackles and 5.5 sacks).

“Nate can do it all, he’s a really, really good football player,” Driscoll said. “I wish we had him in our program for all four years because I think he’s a legit player. He’s as good as they come.”

On offense, senior captain Ethan Phelps rushed for 654 yards and 12 TDs and was tabbed a league all-star.

“He could see the field pretty well,” Driscoll said. “We knew he was a great runner so he stepped into that role and from Day 1 he moved forward and got better at it as the season went on.”

It’s tough to find one player who had a more immense impact on the offense than senior captain Rian Schwede, who switched from wide receiver to fill a void at quarterback early in the season. In an Oct. 15 win over Quincy, he ran for, caught and threw a TD.

“Without Rian, we don’t win eight games,” Driscoll said. “That’s a fact. Rian Schwede gave up being an allleague receiver to switch to quarterback to help the team and that shows a lot about him as a person and his character.”

Driscoll said that while he’s graduating significant talent off this season’s roster, he’s optimistic about what the future holds for his program that finished off the year with a combined freshman, JV and varsity record of 20-1.

“We won a lot of football games this fall,” he said. “These kids know how to win, they work hard. They’re already working hard. We think we’re in good shape. We’re not where we want to be yet but we’re going to get there.”