2009 Merrimack College Season Outlook

Information Provided by Merrimack Sports Information

Overview:
Under second-year head coach John Perry, the Merrimack College Warriors will try to improve off of the 6-4 record and third-place finish under the Andover-native in his first season in 2008. Perry returns virtually the entire offense that led the conference in passing yards and was second in total yards, but faces uncertainty in the defense, most notably due to the loss of Andrew Jackson (New Britain, CT), who became the first All-American in program history last season.

Quarterback:
The top three quarterbacks from last season all return, led by sophomore James Suozzo (Everett, MA), who seized the starting role following a 31-28 win over Pace in week five last season. Suozzo, who was the Northeast-10 Freshman and Player of the Week following the win over the Setters, was named to the all-conference rookie team averaging 326.5 total offensive yards per game while throwing for 13 touchdowns in six games. Also in the mix are Kurt Leone (Marshfield, MA) and Mike Sarnese (East Hartford, CT). Leone, last year’s starter at the onset of the season, averaged 288 passing yards in his four starts, including a 362-yard and four touchdown performance against Husson in his starting debut. Sarnese threw for 84 yards and a touchdown against Bryant. Four freshmen, including Joe Clancy (Newburyport, MA) and Jesse Fowler (Lynn, MA), will vie for time in 2009.

Running Back:
After rushing for 135 yards against Assumption and 286 yards in seven games last season, Anthony Smalls (Dorchester, MA) returns for his sophomore season with eyes on the starting job in Merrimack’s no-huddle, up-tempo offense. Also in the mix are freshmen Jimon Hill (North Chicago, IL), Matt Mathis (Pomona, NY) and Michael Wheeler (Hanover, MA).

Wide Receivers:
Arguably the greatest strength of the 2009 Warriors, there will be plenty of options for Suozzo in a group that includes preseason All-American Jeremiah Watts (Clovis, CA) and Chris Laham (Westwood, MA), who returns after earning a fifth year of eligibility following a medical redshirt. Laham tied the school record last year with his 23rd career touchdown reception against Assumption before suffering a season-ending injury later in the game. These two all-conference candidates are joined by senior Jake Manning (Dunstable, MA), sophomore Quivari Jackson (Lynn, MA), and sophomore Omari Mobley (Baltimore, MD), who combined for 35 catches and three touchdowns, all by Jackson, a year ago. Devin Gordon (Baltimore, MD) and Steve DeLuca (Windham, NH) will also vie with nine others for time in Perry’s passing-heavy style.

Tight End:
Patrick Easley (Tulsa, OK), who led Merrimack tight ends with 11 catches in 2008, returns as the incumbent starter. Sam Cavallaro (Warner, NH) and freshmen Edward Alldredge (Sagamore, MA) and Steve Serwon (Amesbury, MA), will also battle for playing time.

Offensive Line:
One of the most improved positions for Merrimack in 2008 from 2007, preseason All-American left tackle David Bellmont (Melrose, MA) returns to anchor an offensive line that allowed just 15 sacks last season despite throwing more than any other team in the conference. All-conference first-team honoree Jacob Bradley (Dorchester, MA) and all-rookie selection Dylan Register (Wayland, MA) also return to protect Suozzo, with Register getting the nod at center. Sophomore guards Alex Sharp (Raynham, MA) and Dan White (Danvers, MA) enter camp as the starters with Rob Maggiacomo (Cranston, RI) also returning from last season. Freshmen Zach Gilbert (Salem, MA) and Jim Peterson (Massapequa, NY) are also competing for playing time on a young offensive line.

Defensive Line:
Seniors Bernard Cooper (Calumet City, IL) and Garrett Boyd (Newburyport, MA) lead a three-man defensive line that ranked second in the conference last year with 41 sacks. Joining the senior duo up front will be sophomore Nick DesJardins (Somerville, MA). Conor Fitzgerald (Babylon, NY), John O’Leary (Methuen, MA), Matt Lucier (Edgartown, MA), and T.J. Peloquin (Southington, CT) also return from last season to battle for playing time up front along with newcomers Michael Wiggins (Dolton, IL), Andrew Sutherland (Dracut, MA), and Devin Dwyer (Marlborough, MA) among others.

Linebackers:
Despite the loss of last year’s captain J.D. Wild (Martha’s Vineyard, MA), the Warriors return four linebackers who saw plenty of playing time last season. Leading the group is Tony Johnson (Lynn, MA), who burst on the scene as a freshman last season, setting the school record with 11.5 sacks, tops in the conference. Johnson is joined by senior all-conference honoree Shane Brown (Wakefield, MA) and classmate Marc Benjamin (Malden, MA) who started all ten games last season. Also returning are sophomores Shawn Loiseau (Shrewsbury, MA) and Greg Basmajian (Haverhill, MA) with three newcomers, led by Pat McGrath (Everett, MA) joining the deep and experienced linebacker core. Ryan Slattery (Orland Park, IL) and Radoslaw Szelwicki (Southington, IL) will also see time.

Secondary:
With three starters from last year’s secondary having graduated, the Warriors will turn to senior Anthony Taylor (Queens, NY), who started all ten games last season. Taylor will be joined by Richard Johnson (Brockton, MA), who moves to the defensive side of the ball after rushing for 601 yards and six touchdowns at running back last season. Andrew Rebello (Achushnet, MA), Jason Fischer (Freeland, MD), Peter Early (Ward Hill, MA), Josh Key (Putnam, CT), and Marc DeAngelo (Stoneham, MA) also will vie for increased playing time from a year ago. Numerous freshmen, including Artis Holt (Baltimore, MD), will compete for time in what should be a wide-open training camp battle.

Special Teams:
Sophomores Pedrom Tand (Northboro, MA) and Greg Molloy (Newmarket, NH) return from last year’s squad. Tand averaged 35 yards per punt, sixth in the league as a freshman. Basmajian will handle the long-snapping duties, along with freshman Justin Marsan (Methuen, MA). Laham and Mobley are the likely punt returners, with Taylor, Laham, and Smalls serving as the kick returners.

Schedule:
Picked to finish third in the Northeast-10 preseason poll, Merrimack’s season may come down to a two-game road trip in late October that sees the Warriors visit the defending conference champion American International on October 24 and then travel on a short week for a Friday night battle with the preseason favorite Southern Connecticut State Owls on October 30. The Warriors open the season with three straight home games, including a non-conference battle with the Yellow Jackets on September 5. They host Stonehill in the final game of the three-game season-opening home stand on September 18, and then head to Saint Anselm, looking to avenge last season’s upset loss at the hands of the Hawks. The Warriors host Bentley on October 3 and New Haven on October 17 as part of Homecoming Weekend. They conclude the season against Pace on Senior Day on November 7. All home games will be webcast live at www.merrimackathletics.com.