Milton Academy Football Hopes to Return to Prominence

After struggling to one of their toughest campaigns in over two decades, the Milton Academy football team is ready to reload. Averaging a 7-1 mark over the past 10 seasons, the Mustangs couldn't recover from a slow start and compiled an uncharacteristic 3-5 record.

"It was one of our toughest seasons,'' said coach Kevin McDonald, now entering his 15th season. "Every year, we've averaged about six or seven wins, but we couldn't come through in some close games, and that proved to be the difference. We have a bunch of seniors that are gung ho right now, and I think we're definitely going to turn things around."

Leading the way for the Mustangs is senior captain and quarterback Charlie Story, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, and averaged 9.6 yards a carry.

"He's an all around threat for us,'' said McDonald. "Not only can he run the ball very well, but he can also throw for accuracy. He probably threw for around 600 yards last year, and he can beat you in a number of ways. He's an intelligent kid, and he's probably going to be Ivy League bound. He's definitely a versatile quarterback, he can run and can pass, and can pretty much do it all out there."

Guiding the ground game will be senior tailback Ben Tinckor, who was impressive last season and is already committed to Dartmouth.

"(Tinckor) has got a lot of speed, and he's going to be a huge help in our running game,'' said McDonald. "He's going to (Dartmouth) and he can really run for both power and for speed.

Serving as one of the key positions at offensive line is senior Nick Powers, who McDonald plans on rotating between right tackle and tight end.

"(Powers) can be either a tackle or a tight end, and he's got of speed as well. He can run a 40 in an impressive time of 4.65," said the coach.

Also serving as senior captain is Gregor Seidman, a two-way starter who missed the majority of last year suffering a torn anterior crurciate ligament in the season opener against Lawrence Academy. Listed at 6-3, 233 lbs., Seidman is expected to add some size to the Mustangs' offensive and defensive lines.

"It was tough for him (Seidman) to miss most of last year,'' said McDonald. "He's a great athlete and a great person, and he had to watch most of the season from the sidelines. We're hoping that he can go out there and have a big season for us on both sides of the ball."

As for receiving weapons, seniors Josh Jordan and Kelby Pontes will be at Story's disposal. Jordan, who's listed at 6-4, has explosive speed while Pontes is second on the Mustangs' depth chart.

"They both have excellent speed and athletic ability,'' said McDonald. "Those guys are going to be huge in the passing game, and they can rack up a lot of yardage."

At fullback is senior Christian Hoxsie, who's expected to serve as a main blocker in the backfield while fellow senior running back Connor Johnson should also add some depth.

"(Johnson) is very fast and he can run a 40 in a time of 4.5,'' said McDonald. "He can break through tackles and he's also going to help us out on defense as well."

On defense, Hoxsie and Tinckor are expected to serve as outside linebackers while Pontes will be rotated between free safety and cornerback. James Wang, who's listed at 6-2, 255 lbs. is penciled in as a two-way lineman as well as Seidman.

"The (ISL) league is going to be tough again,'' said McDonald. "Lawrence Academy has a lot of depth and they're going to be the team to beat. They have a lot of experience and about 14 athletes committed to Division 1A schools, so we definitely have our work cut out for us. Everyone in the league is going to be tough, and we're going to have to play our best football every game. It's not going to be easy, but we're ready for the challenge."

As for scrimmages, the Mustangs will battle Thayer Academy and Roxbury Latin in the coming weeks before hosting Lawrence Academy in its season opener on September 18 at 2 p.m.