Marblehead Football Well Represented at Agganis All-Star Classic

The annual Harry Agganis Games, which began on Sunday, will end tonight with the 49^th Football All-Star Classic.

Graduating seniors will meet at Manning Field at 7 p.m. to determine the winner of the North versus South match up.

The Agganis South All-Star team will be led by Marblehead head football coach Jim Rudloff,  who will have Mike Giardi, Mike Lavender and Kyle Swesnon from Marblehead and Dan Bauer, Art Irzyk and Ben Goodhue from Beverly supporting him on the sidelines.

Rudloff's head coach status of tonight's game is well deserved, after steering his team to their first Northeastern Conference Small Division championship in 36 years and their first Super Bowl appearance ever last fall.

Leading the way offensively are quarterbacks Hayes Richardson from Marblehead, Matt Barbuzzi from Swampscott and Andrew Ouellette from Central Catholic. Rudloff said, "Each has his own skill set and we will tailor the plays for each of them."

Richardson was voted Northeastern Conference Small Co-player of the Year, recording 18 touchdowns in both running and passing the ball, 1,703 total yards passing and 582 yards rushing.

Rudloff commends him on his ability to exude confidence. "During the season, if we were behind there was never any panic; it was understood that we could be successful."

Running back/linebacker Marcell Hardmon from Marblehead also earned a bid to be on the Agganis All-Star roster. Statistically, Marcell was the most successful running back in the NEC Small last season, making him a force to be reckoned with during tonight's game.

Rudloff recognizes him for being "tough as nails; he will block, run up the middle and run someone over if he has to."

Also representing the local team is Blake Forman, who Rudloff describes as being "built like a fire hydrant, gets off the ball extremely quickly and has a good feel for where the play is going."

Forman excels both as an offensive lineman and defensive tackle, which Rudloff believes makes him a valuable asset for the Agganis South team.

Marblehead offensive tackle Kyle Edwards was a late addition to the team, but Rudloff is happy to have him on the roster. "He has been a blessing for me as both the head coach and offensive line coach of his knowledge of his position and the offense we are running."

Although Richardson, Hardmon, Forman and Edwards round out a talented roster, "the success of the team really will be in their progress as a unit," said Rudloff.