MMA football: Looking to rebound

September 2, 2009

By John Garner, Jr., Cape Cod Times

BUZZARDS BAY - With over 50 first-year players, a complete turnover at quarterback and re-naming its home field, the winds of change are indeed in the air for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy football team.

And that may not be such a bad thing.

Coming off an 0-10 season, the Buccaneers hope for a reversal of fortune beginning with their season opener tomorrow when they entertain New York Maritime at newly-named Clean Harbors Stadium for the Third Annual Chowder Bowl at 7 p.m.

Mass. Maritime and New York Maritime meet for the third straight season, and the Privateers won the first two games by a combined 14 points. In addition to last year's 24-14 loss in Throggs Neck, N.Y., MMA dropped the initial clash, 10-6, in Buzzards Bay in 2007.

"After last year, it's critical we get off to a good start," said MMA head coach Jeremy Cameron. "We've had some close games with New York Maritime the past couple years and know they are difficult to prepare for with their triple option and spread offense."

Jamie Spanopoulos is the top threat offensively for the Privateers after rushing for 922 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, while John Gagliano hauled in six receptions for 179 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Oehl paced the Privateers defensively with 63 total tackles, including three sacks and 11 tackles for losses. Anthony Gagliano is expected to start at QB.

Cameron begins his fifth season at the MMA helm with 10 starters and 40 returning lettermen, in addition to a host of newcomers. Seniors Jim Erlwein, Howard Hayes and Joseph St. Pierre and junior Maxwell Whitney have been named team captains.

Erlwein earned All-New England Football Conference honors for the second time after compiling 83 tackles (60 solo), while the hard-hitting Hayes returns after missing all but three contests last year to injury. St. Pierre shows versatility as a rusher and receiver, while the 5-11, 255-pound Whitney begins his third season as a starter on the offensive line.

Mass. Maritime plays six home games this season, including four of its first five at Clean Harbors Stadium. In addition to New York Maritime, MMA entertains MIT, Worcester State and Coast Guard, along with Maine Maritime for the Admiral's Cup and Bridgewater State in the season-ending Cranberry Bowl.

Junior Michael Tanner, a wide receiver last fall, is expected to make the transition to quarterback and his major assets are leadership and athleticism. He will be backed up by sophomore Cory Antunes and freshmen Matt Spinazzola and fleet Tyler Mansfield of Falmouth.

They will be joined at running back by Matt White, who rushed for 223 yards with two TDs in 2008 and Douglas Dyke, who returns after an injury limited him to 110 yards in last year's opener at NY Maritime. UConn transfer Nathan Sherr and speedy Deonte Fielder are also expected to see action in the backfield.

"We will focus on what we do best, which is run the football and pass out of play-action," said Cameron, who is assisted by Mike Kelley, Mike Rainnie, Rob Davenport, Bob Corradi, Tom Bresnahan, David MacNeill, John Hirko and David Kunyz. "We've lost some skill players, but return most of our guys up front and also in the backfield, while picking up some key newcomers. We should be pretty active defensively."

Kyle Rowe is the top returning receiver after catching six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown last season, while the sure-handed St. Pierre, UMass transfer Jon Emond, Darryn Elder-Gotta, Russ Metcalfe and freshmen Evan Sheridan and Barry Reopell of Falmouth are also in the mix as pass-catchers.

The offensive line welcomes back three starters in Whitney, 6-0, 225-pound William Hafferty (Sandwich) and 6-2, 240-pound Samuel Jackson. Other top linemen include 6-3, 290-pound Fred Hayes; 6-2, 260-pound Colin Giles; 6-0, 250-pound Andrew Bourget; 6-4, 225-pound Will Beacom; 6-1, 280-pound Chris Dintino (Mashpee); 6-1, 250-pound James Tenaglia (Marstons Mills); 6-2, 295-pound Chris Wellman; 6-2 and 6-2, 280-pound Lenny Simmons .

Hard-charging Walter Butler (Bourne) joins Erlwein as a bookend on the defensive line, after recording 51 tackles (39 solo) and a sack during his freshman season, while Chris Paze is back after totaling 30 stops. Other top players on the D-line are Jack Gomes, Peter Avitabile (Bourne), Jonathan Poyau, Armand Pimentel and Joshua Roberts.

Howard Hayes and fellow senior Ryan Howley, the 2007 NEFC Defensive Rookie of the Year, who returns after a year's hiatus, will pace the linebacking corps. Alex Butler (Bourne), MMA's leading rusher in 2008, switches to linebacker and will be joined by Mike Bois, Darryl Foote, James Hutchinson and Chris Kremler.

Mike Dangoia is the top returning player in the secondary, after recording 33 tackles (18 solo) and an interception, while Andy Hirko and former D-Y standout Ricky Thomson are back after combining for 58 tackles. Andy Ramos, Matt Wiszowaty and Charles Sykes will also vie for playing time.

Strong-footed NEFC All-Star Jake Bickley will again handle placekicking and punting duties for the Bucs, after converting 4-of-5 field goals and averaging 38.1 yards per punt, including a 70-yarder against Framingham State. Jarad Horey, a NEFC All-Academic pick his first two seasons, will compete with Bickley for both kicking spots.

NOTES: MMA received a pledge of $1.5 million from Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., of Norwell, for naming rights to its athletic stadium and gymnasium complex. The Clean Harbors Athletic Center will be comprised of the athletic stadium, current home of Commander Ellis Field, as well as athletic and recreation facilities housed in Alumni Gymnasium. Gift monies received from Clean Harbors will be used for complete renovation of stadium seating, additional construction, renovation and expansion of locker rooms and training facilities in Alumni Gymnasium.