Sachems Look to Continue Last Year's Momentum

The Winchester football team ended last year on an eight-game winning streak and won the final three games by a combined score of 66-0. 

The Sachems may return just four starters on both the offensive and defensive units this year, but coach Paul Sobolewski said there can still be some positive momentum carried over from last season.

"Last season was great but it's over and we graduated a lot of those players. I think you have to treat this season as a new season," Sobolewski said. "But the kids this year have a sense of pride and a sense of winning and they want to keep that streak going."

The Sachems return a pair of Middlesex League second-team all-star linebackers in Brandon Nowell and Alex Kohn. Nowell is a three-year starter while Kohn patrols the middle of the field.

"That should anchor our defense," Sobolewski said. "They both have experience and football savvy. Brandon started as a sophomore and Alex is very smart. about recognizing formations."

Winchester is loaded at the skill positions, starting with captain Will Herbert, who was a two-way starter last year at wide receiver and free safety. The spread offense will also be helped by the return of running back Richard Mpanga, who was the team's leading rusher last season and averaged almost 100 yards a game before suffering a hyperextension of the big toe that never fully healed.

Sobolewski said the 200-pound runner is in great shape now, though.

Another injured player is also returning — quarterback Greg Thompson – who battled for the starting job before missing most of last season with an ankle injury.

Pat Norris and Rob Pontrelli both return on the offensive line. They're undersized but make up for it in other ways.

"They both look like fullbacks," Sobolewski said. "They're not 250-pound kids but they just move so well and they're very physical."

Just like last year, Winchester's Week 3 opponent will be Reading — the last team to defeat the Sachems.

"Our kids last year made a pact that they weren't going to lose again and God bless them, they didn't," Sobolewski said.

While the Reading game will be a road game, the Sachems will play eight of their 11 games on their long-awaited brand new turf field.

"For most of these kids, it's their first taste of a home field since they've been in high school," Sobolewski said. "And the great thing about it is we play on Saturday afternoons, so we'll be the only show in town and you'll see a lot of support for our program and a lot of scouts in the stands."

Winchester football

Last season: 9-2

Key players: Will Herbert, Sr., WR/S; Brandon Nowell, Sr., LB; Alex Kohn, Sr., LB; Pat Norris, Sr., OL; Rob Pontrelli, Sr., OL; Greg Thompson, QB; Richard Mpanga, Sr., RB. 

Key losses: Joey Cleary, WR/DB; Own Davis, TE/DE; Eric Ebbott, OL; Michael Greco, TE/LB; Sam Novicki, OL/LB; Paul Nowell, LB; Kyle Signor, OL/DL; Jay Sprague, QB; David Thomann, WR/DB.

Outlook: Winchester won its last eight games last season, finishing with its best record since it won the Middlesex League championship in 1990, but it must replace seven starters on each side of the ball from that team. The team has plenty of talent at the skill positions but depth on the offensive and defensive lines is a concern. Winchester should be buoyed by eight home games on its new turf field, though the league title still goes through Reading, who the Sachems play in Week 3.

Quote: " I think we're loaded at skill positions and with speed." — coach Paul Sobolewski