Published 10-18-9 Eagletribune.com Lebanon shuts out Sanborn
KINGSTON Lebanon used a dominant ground game, and four Chris Barker touchdowns, to defeat Sanborn, 27-0. Barker ran for 133 yards on 19 carries for Lebanon and paced the Raiders (3-4) to a 19-0 halftime lead. Sanborn (0-7) played solid defense at times but once again had trouble generating consistency on offense. Jordan Johnson led Sanborn with 141 yards rushing on 31 carries.
Published: October 03, 2009 07:01 pm Eagletribune.com
Sanborn can't stop Bozek, Laconia
LACONIA, N.H. Winless Sanborn showed some improvement, but powerhouse Laconia proved too tough in a 39-7 decision last night. Led by Brian Bozek, who rushed for 176 yards and scored three TDs, Laconia (4-1) grabbed a 20-0 halftime lead and led 33-0 entering the fourth quarter.
Sanborn (0-5) was able to move the ball at times, however. Quarterback Ryan Morris completed 11 of 18 passes for 85 yards and Glen Smith rushed for 30 yards and got the Indians on the board with a 2-yard run and an extra-point kick in the final quarter. Dylan Spence caught nine passes for 83 yards for the Indians.
Laconia 39, Sanborn 7
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Sanborn (0-5): 0 0 0 7 7
Laconia (4-1): 12 8 13 6 39
First Quarter
L Brian Bozek 3 run (rush failed)
L Robert Mahoney 21 run (kick failed)
Second Quarter
L Jake Holmes 26 pass from Zach Corbin (Bozek pass from Corbin)
Third Quarter
L Bozek 37 interception return (Kyle Behan kick)
L Bozek 43 run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
S Glen Smith 2 run (Smith kick)
L David Mahoney 50 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: S (33-96) Billy Wydola 3-5, Smith 11-30, Jordan Johnson 6-29, Ryan Morris 9-14, Dylan Spence 3-5, Danny Richard 1-15; L (36-297) Bozek 16-176, Holmes 1-8, R.Mahoney 2-25, Ronnie Steele 4-14, Corbin 1-2, D.Mahoney 6-71, Bryan Lanphear 1-1, Tony Havonglasan 2-5, Hunter Briggeman 3-(-5)
PASSING: S Morris 11-18-0, 85 yards; L Briggeman 1-2-0, 5 yards, Corbin 2-4-0, 63 yards
RECEIVING: S Spence 9-83, Dylan Howard 1-5, Chris Daigle 1-(-3); L Holmes 3-51, Aaron Marchione 1-17
Published: September 27, 2009 12:56 am eagletribune.com
Sanborn falls hard
KINGSTON, N.H. Sanborn continued to suffer growing pains under new coach Mike Drouin, falling to previously winless Monadnock 48-7. The Indians scored in the first period on an 18-yard run by Ryan Morris and a Glen Smith conversion kick, but could muster very little offense the rest of the way while dropping to 0-4.
KINGSTON Despite showing major improvements, Sanborn Regional dropped its third straight game to open the season, 6-0, to Merrimack Valley. After giving up 89 points in the first two games of the season, the Indians all but shut down the Pride offense, surrendering only a single touchdown in the second quarter and only 106 total yards on the day. However, the offense continued to struggle, turning the ball over four times inside the red zone. Although his team was on the wrong end of the final score, coach Mike Drouin was proud of the improvement his team has made. "I thought the defense played great today, they really came to play," said Drouin. "The offense just really struggled and we just have to keep working at it during the week."
Leading the way for the hard-hitting Sanborn D was sophomore linebacker Glen Smith and sophomore safety Dylan Spence, each of whom laid several big hits on Merrimack Valley runners. Most of the offense was provided by 160-pound junior running back John Francavilla (12 rushes 51 yards), who ran extremely hard between the tackles. Sanborn seemed poised to score several times in the second half but was turned away each time. During the third and into the fourth quarter, Sanborn had the ball inside the 15 yard-line on three straight possession but came away with no points. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Morris (11 for 24, 77 yards, 1 interception) and the Sanborn offense ate up all but two minutes of the third quarter, driving to the 15 before falling a yard short on fourth down. Sanborn's next possession ended the same way with a failed fourth-down attempt despite being given excellent field position on the 10 after a botched Merrimack Valley punt. A final push for the endzone on the next drive halted on the 10 again after Morris was sacked from behind and fumbled. Drouin stayed positive despite the miscues.
"Merrimack Valley is a good team and although we didn't get the win, I'm still happy with the way we came back after the last couple weeks. We are a completely different team then we were last Friday."
Merrimack Valley 6, Sanborn 0
Merrimack Valley (2-1, 1-1 Div. 4) 6
Sanborn (0-3) 0
Second Quarter
MV Bryan Briggs 10 run (kick failed), 7:46
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Sanborn (25-56) John Francavilla 12-51, Chris Matthews 1-12, Glen Smith 1-6, Dylan Spence 2-(-4), Ryan Morris 9-(-9); MV (32-61) Bryan Briggs 18-58, Nick Berwick 1-7, Justin Abbott 2-4, Derek Barton 6-(-2), Corey Blaise 5-(-6)
KINGSTON Kingswood Regional head coach Matt Jozokos could sympathize yesterday with his counterpart on the Sanborn sidelines, childhood friend and former Methuen High teammate Mike Drouin. "They're kind of in the place I was when I started here three years ago," said Jozokos after the 46-12 victory. In its second year since the football program was restored, and under its second head coach as well, a youthful Indian squad looked like it was still learning its way. The raw talent was evident but the players were tentative running the spread offense and suffered from weak tackling on defense. On the other hand, with that extra experience, the Knights ran their version of the spread effectively behind freshman quarterback, and coach's son, Tate Jozokos. Despite registering five turnovers and earning a plus-2 on the takeaway/giveaway stat, Sanborn never was in contention in its home opener, falling before about 250 sun-splashed fans. Jozokos, the latest star in that well-known athletic family, filled the bill in every way for Kingswood, running 10 times for 192 yards and five touchdowns and completing 6 of 11 passes for 86 more yards. Scoring four of the game's first five TDs, the freshman read blocks effectively and made smart decisions.
"He sees the field well, he's a good athlete and has a good arm," said Matt Jozokos, a running quarterback at Methuen who threw 96 TD passes as an All-American at Plymouth State. "We have a lot of confidence in his abilities and the kids do, too."
Despite yielding 419 yards of offense, Sanborn's defense impressed at times. Dylan Spence, Casey Nolan, Seth Sherman, and Danny Richard recovered fumbles. Dylan Howard picked off a pass and swatted away two others. And freshman linebacker Jordan Johnson was an active presence with a team-high seven tackles. The Indians finished with 123 yards but just 34 came against the Kingswood first-teamers. Quarterback Chris Daigle scored on a 1-yard run late in the first half and John Francavilla (team-high 22 yards rushing) found the end zone from 2 yards out early in the fourth quarter. "We're a young team and we've got to get our system in place," said Drouin, who guided North Shore Tech to the Mass. vocational title game last fall. "We tell the kids every day at practice that we have to work hard and get better. If we do that, the wins will come."
First roommates, then opponents
After sharing the sidelines first at Methuen High then with Plymouth State, Sanborn's Mike Drouin and Kingswood's Matt Jozokos came together once more yesterday. "It was fun," said Jozokos of his former Plymouth roommate. "It's nice to have a friend when exchanging game tapes and such." On the struggles the Indians showed with their newly-installed spread offense, Jozokos said, "Mike knows what he's doing. It depends on how quickly the guys get it. I talked to him before the game and I thought he was right on as far as his thought process went." "He's a good friend and we go back a long way," said Drouin, a two-way starter for Methuen's 1984 Eastern Mass. Division 2 Super Bowl squad and a wide receiver at Plymouth State. "I'm excited to play against him and run some things by him afterward. "I really look up to him. He's like a big brother and I'm always learning."
Kingswood 46, Sanborn 12
Kingswood (0-1): 20 12 7 7 46
Sanborn (1-0): 0 6 0 6 12
First Quarter
K Tate Jozokos 27 run (kick failed), 7:16
K Jozokos 32 run (kick good), 5:13
K Megan Horne 50 punt return (kick good), 3:41
Second Quarter
K Jozokos 36 run (kick good), 9:30
K Jozokos 45 run (run failed), 6:10
S Chris Daigle 1 run (pass failed), 1:17
Third Quarter
K Jozokos 30 run (kick good), 7:52
Fourth Quarter
S John Francavilla 2 run (run failed), 11:24
K Sam Walsh 3 run (Dave Velez kick), 4:52
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Kingswood (42-327) Tate Jozokos 10-192, Isaac Horton 14-74; Sanborn (37-47) John Francavilla 4-22, Dylan Spence 4-13, Chris Daigle 18-12, Glen Smith 6-12, Dylan Howard 1-0, Billy Wydola 1-(-3), Ryan Morris 3-(-9)
After laying the groundwork for the rebirth of football at Sanborn High, and completing its first varsity season, Haverhill teacher Vincent Pettis decided that he had more important priorities. "It just got to be too stressful and I was getting stretched too thin," said Pettis. "I wanted to follow (junior-to-be) Brett (a star volleyball player and varsity football player) and I was missing out on a lot with him and my family." So, after leading the Indians to one victory and keeping them competitive throughout most of a 1-8 inaugural campaign, Pettis resigned. That surprised his players, but they've since recovered with the hiring of former Methuen High standout Mike Drouin, 39, who was the head coach the last two years at North Shore Tech in Middleton. Drouin turned around North Shore's fortunes in his two seasons as head man. The Bulldogs were 0-11 in 2007 before going 9-3 last year and earning a berth in the State Vocational Super Bowl. A 1993 graduate of Plymouth State College where he was a wide receiver, Drouin will teach Wellness at Sanborn and may also help out in other sports. He lives in Salem, N.H., with his wife Lynda and daughters Alyssa and Myah and son Michael. Prior to taking the North Shore job, Drouin served as an assistant at Central Catholic and Methuen. He plans on switching Sanborn from a Wing-T offense to a spread offense with more focus on passing.
"I felt good about where I brought (North Shore) in a short amount of time and I had no intention of leaving, but when the Sanborn job opened up, it was a chance to coach a new program at a new school," said Drouin, who had applied for the head job three years ago. "I was drawn to the idea that they were starting from scratch and I thought about the potential that was there.
"It's also going to be good for my family because I'll be a lot closer to home. It will cut my (commute) time in half."
Before applying for a second time, Drouin contacted Pettis for feedback on the position and he was pleased with the response. "He assured me that it was a great situation and he was just leaving because of his family," said Drouin.
"Everything is going great so far. The weight program is in good shape, we're doing 7-on-7 passing on Sundays and the kids seem very enthusiastic. I'm excited about it." Among his assistants, as Drouin focuses on the offense, will be Haverhill High wrestling coach Brett Legault. He will coach the Sanborn defense. There has been no decision yet on Drouin's replacement at North Shore
Powerhouse Plymouth romps past Sanborn Published by eagletribune.com 11/2/08 Plymouth 50 Sanborn 16
Plymouth, NH. Sanborn faced the iron of Division 4 football yesterday afternoon in the season finale of its first varsity season in 35 years. The Indians fell to powerhouse Plymouth 50-16, becoming the bobcats 42nd straight victim. Plymouth rolled to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Sanborn (1-8) broke up the shutout in the 4th quarter on a 8-yard Joe Murphy run and a 16-yard scoring pass from Ryan Morse to Brandon Gonzalez. "It was rough way to finish up." said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis. "We had three bad snaps and made more mistakes than we've been making, but they are definitely very good."
Published in Eagletribune.com 10-28-08
The Sanborn JV team improved to 3-5 thanks to a 32-0 thrashing of Farmington. John Francavlia had a pair of touchdowns, one on a 2-yard rush and the other on a 55-yard interception return. Kevin Medieros added a 15-yard touchdown reception, and lineman Jared Emmons registered a sack on defense. Seth Sherman had a good all-around day on the offensive line.
Sanborn throws a scare into Hanover
Published by eagletribune 10-26-08
KINGSTON, N.H. Sanborn posted a shutout in the second half as the Indians pushed Hanover to the limit before falling 20-14 in their final home game of the season. "Our kids play hard and it was a big performance in the second half," said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis. "They have a chance at the playoffs (5-3, 4-3 Division 4) and we fought them until the end." Tyler Lawrence led Sanborn with a pair of sacks and eight tackles. Brandon Gonzalez added eight tackles, an interception and a quarterback pressure.
Joe Murphy was once again a force for the Indians (1-7). He carried 22 times for over 200 yards and touchdowns of 64 and 46 yards. "In a lot of games, we wore down late," said Pettis. "But today we only got stronger. We didn't allow many yards in the second half." The Indians close out their season at Plymouth Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Murphy stars but Sanborn can't hold on
Published Oct. 19,2008 eagletribune.com
LEBANON, N.H. For the second week in a row, Sanborn got off to a good start. Unfortunately, the end result was not the same. The Indians jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but struggled for much of the next three quarters in a 28-20 loss to Lebanon. Once again, Joe Murphy led the Indians, scoring first on a 5-yard run, rushing for close to 100 yards and scoring again in the fourth quarter on a 35-yard run.
The Indians (1-6) made it 14-0 in the first quarter on a 7-yard pass from Jared Hillerby to tight end Armin Rak but Lebanon but three straight TDs on the board in the next two quarters to take command of the game. "We got off to another good start, but we just couldn't hold on," said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis, whose club was hoping to build on last week's victory. "We have to find a way to be more consistent and avoid mistakes." Rak had a strong game blocking from his tight end spot and inside linebacker Kyle Nadeau stood out defensively.
Lebanon 28, Sanborn 20
Sanborn (1-6, 0-6 Division 4): 14 0 0 620
Lebanon (2-5, 2-5 Division 4): 0 14 7 728
First Quarter
S Joe Murphy 5 run (Glen Smith kick)
S Armin Rak 7 pass from Jared Hillerby (Smith kick)
Fourth Quarter
S Murphy 35 run (kick failed)
Published: October 12, 2008 12:06 pm Eagletribune.com
Fast start propels Sanborn to first win in 35 years Murphy runs, passes Indians to historic win
Staff Report
KINGSTON, N.H. Sanborn's first-year varsity football team got the message yesterday afternoon and delivered big time. Just as head coach Vincent Pettis wanted, the Indians got out to a fast start and then held on for a 23-20 victory their first since reviving the program over Division 3 Hollis-Brookline.
It was the Division 4 Indians' first varsity win since dropping the program after the 1973 season. After playing sub-varsity for two years, this is their first varsity campaign.
"The kids were really excited and they should be," said Pettis, whose club lost its first five games this season. "We told them all week that this was a game they could win if they got off to a good start and played well." In fact, the Indians jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter. Senior Joe Murphy scored first on a stunning 70-yard run and then ran in the extra points for an 8-0 lead. That was followed by a 5-yard TD pass from quarterback Jared Hillerby to Kyle Nadeau. An extra-point kick by freshman Glen Smith his first of the year made it 15-0. Hollis-Brookline made it 15-7 in the first quarter but, on the key play of the game, Murphy threw a 44-yard option pass for a touchdown to Ben Ferrandi with just 12 seconds left in the half. Armin Rak ran in for two points to make it 23-7.
Hollis-Brookline scored twice in the second half to narrow the gap, but a late Sanborn drive notched two first downs to run out the clock. Murphy finished a superb game with 132 yards on just 13 carries in addition to throwing the TD pass. Defensively, inside linebackers Kyle Nadeau and Rak had 11 and nine tackles, respectively, and Andrew Nelson knocked down three passes and was in on six tackles.
"Hopefully, this will give the kids some confidence and we can win another game or two," said Pettis.
Sanborn 23, Hollis-Brookline 20
Hollis-Brookline (1-5, 1-4 Division 3) 0 7 6 720
Sanborn (1-5, 0-5 Division 4) 15 8 0 023
First Quarter
S Joe Murphy 70 run (Murphy run)
S Kyle Nadeau 5 pass from Jared Hillerby (Glen Smith kick)
Second Quarter
S Ben Ferandi 44 pass from Murphy (Armin Rak ran)
SANBORN LEADERS
RUSHING: Joe Murphy 13-132, Justin Storace 5-8, Dan Carbone 5-27, Garrett Cristaldi 3-3, Kyle Nadeau 5-32
PASSING: Jared Hillerby 2-6-2, 23 yards; Murphy 1-2-0, 44 yards
RECEIVING: Andrew Nelson 1-18, Ferrandi 1-42, Nadeau 1-5
Published: October 05, 2008 02:15 am EagleTribune.com
Sanborn no match for Laconia
KINGSTON Still reeling from last week's 2-0 heartbreaker to Monadnock, Sanborn was hammered by Laconia 42-6. "Laconia is a very good team," said coach Vincent Pettis. "And they certainly showed us that today." Division 4 co-leader Laconia (4-1, 4-0 Division 4) racked up 21 points in each of the first two quarters. Joe Murphy broke up the shutout on an 8-yard run halfway through the second quarter and racked up 109 yards on 19 carries. He also added two receptions for 11 yards. The Indians accumulated 188 yards on the ground, but the stifling Sachems defense held the hosts to 11 passing yards and intercepted two passes. "They just ran all over us today," Pettis said. Sanborn Regional 6, Laconia 42
Laconia (4-1, 4-0 Division 4): 21 21 0 0 42
Sanborn (0-5, 0-5 Division 5): 0 6 0 0 6
Second Quarter
S Joe Murphy 8 run (kick failed), 5:00
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: S (39-188) Joe Murphy 19-109, Kyle Nadeau 12-49, Garrett Cristaldi 6-23, Jared Hillerby 2-7
PASSING: S Hillerby 2-8-2, 11 yards
RECEIVING: S Murphy, 2-11 yards
Sanborn falls just short
EAST SWANZEY, N.H. Sanborn couldn't quite deliver when given the opportunity to win its first victory of the century last night. The Indians (0-4) gave up a safety in the first quarter and that was all the scoring in a frustrating 2-0 loss to Monadnock (1-3). "We had our opportunities, but we just couldn't deliver," said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis. Sanborn's best chance to score came with five minutes left when it advanced to the Monadnock 5-yard-line and had a fourth-and-three. A running play came a half-yard short of a first down. "We haven't had much success with our kicking game, so we felt we had to go for it," said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis. "It was just too bad we didn't make it."
Sanborn had two interceptions and recovered two fumbles, but the offense couldn't take advantage of the turnovers. Joe Murphy led Sanborn with an interception and fumble recovery and some hard running on offense. Chris Taley also ran the ball effectively.
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Final
Sanborn (0-4)
0
0
0
0
0
Monadnock H.S.(1-3)
2
0
0
0
2
Sanborn Can't catch Merrimack Valley
eagletribune 9-20-8
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Final
Sanborn Regional
6
0
0
0
6
Merrimack Valley
6
14
0
6
28
Penacook,NH - Although Sanborn is still looking for its first win, the indians played the Merrimack Valley to a 28-6 loss at Merrimack Valley H.S. "We just could not finish our drives tonight" said Sanborn head coach Vincent Pettis. "We were still in the game late, down 20-6, but had an interception." Trailing 7-0, Sanborn quarterback Jared Hillerby took his team on an impressive 70-yard drive that culminated when Kyle Nadeau went in from the eight yard line. "There were a lot of positives today," Sand Pettis. "It was the first time that we felt like we were executing at a higher level." Danny Richard and Justin Hamel each played well on the offensive line and Richards also recovered a fumble. Sanborn (0-3) plays at Monadnock next saturday night at 7pm.
KINGSTON, N.H. Sanborn knew there would be tough days in its first year as a varsity program. Yesterday turned out to be one of those days. In their first varsity home game since the program ceased play 35 years ago, the Indians fell to Kennett 27-6 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 500 fans at their new field.
"There is still a learning curve for us," said Sanborn coach Vincent Pettis. "The kids have to realize that it's a lot harder and faster at the varsity level, and they are learning it the tough way right now."
The Indians struggled in the first half, allowing all 27 points and 367 yards of total offense. But tri-captain Joe Murphy was impressed with what he saw out of his teammates in the second half.
"We didn't look too good in the first half," he said. "But we didn't give up and showed some signs of life in the second. We hung in there, showed some heart and even moved the ball." Sanborn allowed just 61 yards in the second half to the Eagles' second team, including an impressive goalline stand. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound Murphy led the Indians with a whopping 13 tackles. Kyle Nadeau added six tackles while Dan Richard and Dan Carbone each made five stops and Cameron Andrukaitis four. Murphy also led Sanborn in rushing, carrying 10 times for 87 yards including a 38-yard run in which he was stopped at the Kennett 7-yard line. The Indians finally broke onto the scoreboard 44 seconds into the fourth quarter when Tyler Lawrence and Justin Storace combined to block a punt and Ben Ferrandi picked it up and ran it in from five yards for the touchdown. "We finished strong," said Nadeau, also a tri-captain. "We wanted to work on that and we won the second half. Now we have to do a little better each week."
Kennett 27, Sanborn 6
Kennett (2-0): 14 13 0 0 27
Sanborn (0-2): 0 0 0 6
First Quarter
K Alan Lanciaux 3 run (Lanciaux kick), 9:03
K David Lawton 76 run (Lanciaux kick), 7:20
Second Quarter
K Lanciaux 64 run (Lanciaux kick), 9:07
K Max Brennick 30 run (kick blocked), 6:12
Fourth Quarter
S Ben Ferrandi five punt block return (kick failed), 11:16
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: S (33-127) Joe Murphy 10-87, Garrett Cristaldi 9-23, Kyle Nadeau 8-14, Jared Hillerby 2-5, Dan Carbone 2-0, Cameron Andrukaitis 2-(-2); K (42-373) Max Brennick 5-100
PASSING: S Hillerby 5-10-0, 77; K Scott Saunders 4-5-0, 55
RECEIVING: S Trevor Phillips 2-34, Armin Rak 1-24, Nadeau 1-13, Cristaldi 1-6; K Alan Lanciaux 1-29
WOLFEBORO, N.H. Sanborns first varsity game in 35 years provided plenty of optimism and plenty of excitement but, unfortunately, not a victory. Kingswood topped the Indians, who played well despite some predictable jitters, 14-6. We had some chances, said Indians coach Vincent Pettis. We had four turnovers and some early penalties hurt us. After a scoreless first quarter, the hosts scored on a 20-yard pass in the second quarter and an 80-yard run early in the third. Shortly after a Sean Nadeau interception, Garrett Cristaldi got the visitors back into it, bulling in from the 8-yard line. Sanborn got the ball on the Kingswood 35 after lineman Danny Richard blocked a punt but couldnt score the potential equalizer. Besides the strong effort by the Joe Murphy-led defense, the Indians did some damage on the ground behind Joe Murphys aggressive running.
Sanborn will host Kennett in its home opener next Saturday at 1:30. In an interesting sidelight, Kennett is coached by Ken Sciacca, the former Haverhill High coach who gave Pettis his first coaching job.
A New Dawn At Sanborn by alan siegel
asiegel@eagletribune.com
KINGSTON, N.H. The bus will leave without you, coach Vincent Pettis warned. The players, tightly packed behind Bakie Elementary School, nodded in unison. "You don't have to have your helmet on ready to hit someone," Pettis assured them. On one hand, Sanborn Regional was preparing for a scrimmage, its first of the summer. Then again, it wasn't just a scrimmage, not for a school that hasn't fielded a varsity football team since the Nixon administration. The players were serious about facing North Shore Tech of Middleton, Mass., even if the game didn't really count. "They've showed dedication, they've shown focus," JV coach Anthony Calla-han said. "It's going to be tough."
The Indians' first true season opener in 35 years is approaching, and the players are ready for action. They slogged through two sub-varsity seasons for this. Friday at Kingswood Regional in Wolfeboro, the double sessions, at first foreign to many of the weary teenagers, will pay off.
"It was a lot," senior Justin Hamel said of his first experience with two-a-days. "To the point where getting up from a chair was hard. Getting up to go to the bathroom was hard." The Indians have come a long way, Pettis said. At the JV level, they may have finished 6-6 in 2006 and 9-0 in 2007, but there was still ample room for improvement. Pettis recently caught a couple of seniors giggling at the freshmen who looked lost during a blocking drill. "You weren't any better than they were two years ago," Pettis, a former assistant at Haverhill High, good-naturedly reminded them. He remembers three straight fumbled punt returns in one game. In another, the Indians lined up for an extra point after a touchdown. Apparently coni ased by the proceedings, a freshman uttered this gem: "How can we kick a field goal? We just scored a touchdown." Pettis could only shake his head and laugh. "We didn't know what we were doing," senior Tyler Lawrence admitted. It's different now, the players say. Two years of hard work has given way to real football. "It went by fast," Lawrence said. "We're excited. It's going to be fun." "We paid our dues for two years," San-born athletic director Vicky Parady-Guay said. "We're ready to progress."
I haven't seen them yet," Pettis said with a smile.
He isn't complaining, simply stating the truth. Football is a new phenomenon at Sanborn. Naturally, logistical issues exist. The Indians have a new stadium for home games, but the only place with room for them to practice is the field behind the Bakie School. They attend a sparkling, two-year old high school, but they don't yet have a football locker room. "We're the last team in," Pet-tis said.
The pads have rotted off his team's only two-man tackling sled. But there's no griping, not from this group. "We're making due with what we've got," Callahan said.
Parady-Guay said Sanborn's Touchdown Club has helped build a sturdy financial foundation. The booster organization raised $10,000 to help fund the program. The school district also did its part, she said, chipping in $25,000 to cover costs. Football, Parady-Guay hopes, will give students something to do together. "Not that our (sports) community doesn't draw a lot of support," she said, "But socially, going to football games, it's another venue to build that camaraderie." At this point, the players are just happy that the games count, although they refrained from making any predictions. we re not sure wnat to expect," senior Joe Murphy said. Pettis knows that two good JV seasons don't mean much any more. Improvement is what he's looking for. "We could go 1-8," he said, "and we could be better." The question is, he added, "How long will the growing pains last?"
He hopes not for long. "Size and speed is what they're going to have to adjust to," said Pettis, who had 58 kids come out this summer. The Indians, members of the newly aligned New Hampshire Division 4, will also have to adjust to long bus rides. Of their six away games, Merrimack Valley High in Penacook is the closest at 51 miles away. (The farthest, Monadnock in East Swanzey, is 99 miles away). As practice wrapped up last week, the players filed off the field with smiles on their faces. Maybe it was the weather; the cloudless sky and 70-degree temperature were rare for this rainy summer. Or maybe it was the prospect of varsity football returning to their school that made practice not seem so tedious. "We know we're playing varsity football now," senior Kyle Nadeau said.
Nadeau, like the rest of his teammates, is ready for the real thing.
Pettis has Sanborn on fast track Eagle Tribune
Published: 10/09/2007 Dave Dyer
The Sanborn Regional football team isn't quite ready for prime time, but it's getting closer.
Under former Haverhill High assistant Vinnie Pettis, the Indians have made significant strides in their second year of JV competition. With less than 12 months remaining before their first varsity game, they're right on schedule.
Sanborn's JV team has won its first five games of the season and has looked impressive in doing so. Two of the wins were against similar second-year programs, Inter-Lakes and Mascoma, but another was 23-2 over Londonderry. With only five seniors on the 52-man roster, the future looks promising.
"We've come pretty far," said Pettis. "Last year, we were definitely raw, but now I've got a half-dozen kids who can become good varsity players. It's exciting.
"The hardest thing so far has been to prepare the kids how to react to adversity and getting them to make adjustments, on both sides of the ball. We couldn't do it last year, but we're able to make changes more on the fly now and the kids can handle it."
Pettis is particularly high on three backs, sophomore Garrett Cristaldi and juniors Kyle Nadeau and Joe Murphy. He's also pleased with the three-year youth program that's being run by veteran coach Paul St. Onge.
"We have two full (youth) teams for the seventh and eighth grade which is good for a community our size," said Pettis. "Paul is doing a great job with them."
Still, Pettis is under no illusion that Sanborn will be able to step into varsity competition (likely in Division 4) and be a powerhouse.
"I've talked to some other coaches and they all say the same thing," he said. "The second year of JV is fun, but the first year of varsity can be tough. There's such a big difference."
Nevertheless, the pieces are in place for success down the road. There's a viable feeder system, an able coaching staff and a boosters club, the Touchdown Club.
"There's definitely a lot of enthusiasm around the school," said Pettis, who still teaches math at Haverhill High School.
2nd year "Off to a solid start" Carriage Town News, Oct. 2,2007 by Coach Vincent Pettis
We started our second season with more of everything. More players(68, last year 56) more teams(JV - year 2, and a Frosh-Soph team) each with their own schedules, and more coaches(6 compared to 3). That year of JV experience showed up quick this season as the players picked up the offense and defense much quicker. After 3 weeks, we already had more offensive plays and formations then in the entire season the year before. Our JV's have got off to a good start defeating Laconia 56-0, a very rugged Interlakes team 6-0, and St. Thomas Aquinas 36-0. Everyone on offense has been putting in a solid effort and getting lots of reps. Lots of different players are getting into the end zone. The most impressive group has been the offensive line. They are starting to make adjustments on the field that we would have to make on the sidelines before. Our offensive line Coach, Frank Storniolo, is doing an excellent job with them. Defensively we are much more comfortable with our alignments and assignments and are starting to get after opposing offenses. The Frosh-Soph team is taking its lumps (like our JV's did last year) against some of the best programs in the state. Dropping their first three games to Souhegan 0-53, St. Thomas Aquinas 6-22 and bishop Brady 8-22. With each game they have improved and when they start get comfortable with the offense and defense and each other it will show. Although it's our second season we are still making plenty of mistakes and there is plenty of work on during practice. But the Sanborn boys are working hard and we try to keep focusing on getting better "One game at a time" so that we can be as ready as possible for next year.
Kicking off: Sanborn fields first football team in 33 years
Published: 08/10/2006 Eagle-Tribune By Alan Siegel
KINGSTON - In a scene reminiscent of a high school sports movie, Sanborn Regional began its first football practice in 33 years yesterday. Wearing helmets, clean white jerseys and mesh shorts, the players spread out on the sparkling green field at the Kingston Fairgrounds. When they began to stretch, reality eclipsed any lingering Hollywood fantasies.
"One thing you don't want to have to experience is a groin pull," first-year coach Vincent Pettis shouted. "This isn't an easy sport," he continued when the players struggled to count in unison. "There's a reason we start a week earlier than everyone else." All and all, it was a good start for Sanborn, which until yesterday hadn't fielded a football team since 1973. In concordance with NHIAA rules, the Indians will be a JV program for two years before making the jump to varsity in 2008. Of the 55 kids who signed up, about half played football in elementary or middle school. None has high school football experience.
So unlike coaches at the state's bigger programs, Pettis spent the first day of practice teaching the basics of blocking, throwing and kicking. "There's a lot of learning to do," the former Haverhill High coach said repeatedly. "It's a challenge."
For the majority of the day's second session, the players split off into different stations. Linemen practiced the three-point stance, running backs practiced taking handoffs and quarterbacks got on their knees and threw spirals to aspiring receivers.
As expected, there were the players who didn't know where they fit. When asked what position he played, senior Steve Makonis wasn't exactly sure. "I don't know," he said. "Something back?" Junior James Dobson, who's sure he wants to play fullback or on the defensive line, spent the afternoon session with a smile on his face. After all, he was finally playing football, which wasn't even an option until this year. Even a thick new playbook didn't dampen Dobson's mood.
"It's pretty difficult to learn everything, like the plays," he said. "Otherwise, it's pretty easy." Dobson, a football newcomer and member of the indoor and outdoor track teams at Sanborn, spent three days a week lifting weights in preparation for the season. For the players' parents, football is a symbol of the school system's growth. Sanborn will open a new building this fall, complete with modern athletic facilities. "We spent a lot of years waiting for this," Edwina Carbone said while watching practice with a small group of parents.
A permanent football field is expected to be completed by next year. This season, the squad will continue to use the former fairgrounds, a site located on Route 125. For now, Pettis is concentrating on fundamentals. The real fun begins Saturday, when the players put on full pads for the first time. "It's too early to (gauge progress)," Pettis said. "Wait until we hit, then ask us."
Jarrod Thompson contributed to this report.
New football team tackles field dilemma Players will use old fairgrounds site until new school fields are ready
Published: August 08, 2006 By Susan Nolan Eagle-Tribune
KINGSTON - Practice begins tomorrow for Sanborn Regional High School's new football team, but the players don't have a field to call their own - at least not yet. Until the field at the new high school is ready, the team will use town athletic fields at the former Kingston Fairgrounds for practice.
It is the first time in 33 years that Sanborn will have a football team. The team is a junior varsity squad because it will take up to two years for the school to be allowed into the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association as a varsity team.
The football team is not the only new addition to Sanborn. The student body will begin the school year Aug. 29 in its new $30.8 million high school on Route 111.
While the building is complete, that is not the case for the athletic fields.
Athletic Director Vicki Parady-Guay said yesterday the fields aren't ready, and some have not even been seeded yet. The fields aren't expected to be ready until sometime next year.
The team will use the field at the former fairgrounds on Folly Brook Terrace off Route 125, just south of the Route 111 intersection.
"We're grateful for their allowing us to use the facility," Parady-Guay said. "They've done a nice job developing it. It's irrigated and well kept up by the town road agent."
Other sports teams will use the athletic fields at the old high school.
Selectman Mark Heitz said he had some concerns about the town recreation fields being damaged by the football team.
"They say that any damage will be restored, and I hope that is the case," he said. "My understanding is that they're just going to use it for practice."
Parady-Guay was scheduled to meet with the selectmen last night to discuss the details and assure the selectmen that the school would take care of the fields.
As many as 60 students are expected to go out for the new team, Parady-Guay said. They'll get their equipment tonight at Swasey Gymnasium at the old high school, Parady-Guay said. Double-session practices begin tomorrow.
Parady-Guay said the new team will help the high school keep some top students who might otherwise have paid tuition to attend schools that have football programs.
"These are kids you would like in your school community because their academics are usually pretty high," she said. "You're keeping your standards of your school up by keeping these kids that are involved."
Having a new high school is wonderful, Parady-Guay said. And a new football team? "I think this is a little frosting on top of the cake, as they say," she said.
Published: 07/12/2006
Boosters want team to start in style
By Susan Nolan Staff writer
KINGSTON - It's been 33 years since Sanborn Regional High School boys suited up for football, and supporters say they are determined to make sure that every boy who wants to play this year will have a chance to do just that. The Touchdown Club, a group of supporters for the high school's new football team, said they had budgeted enough money to purchase uniforms for 40 players. Fifty-eight boys already have signed up. School district voters appropriated $25,000 for football in March, and the Touchdown Club donated $10,000. The club is hostiong a fund-raiser Saturday to help pay for extra uniforms and equipment. Stephen Fuller, vice chairman of the Touchdown Club, said his organization is determined to provide uniforms for every Sanborn High student who wants to play. "They're all playing," Fuller said. Football coach Vincent Pettis said he is appreciative of the Touchdown Club's efforts. "They're trying to help us out so we can put pads on every kid," he said. "We don't want to turn any kid away. Football is not really about cuts. It's about getting more players involved." Gary Nelson, Touchdown Club vice chairman, said his organization will hold its third annual golf tournament at the Rockingham Golf Club in Newmarket this weekend. The cost is $100 per golfer, and includes breakfast, lunch and prizes, Nelson said. "It's a scramble format - best ball. There's prizes for the longest drive, closest to the pin, birdies - all kinds of prizes," Nelson said. "Last year we made about $6,000." Pettis said the Sanborn Regional High School boys who have signed up are highly motivated to play football this year. The coach has already begun a weight-lifting program at Swasey Gym. "It's not mandatory," Pettis said. "They're just trying to get a head start." The players work out every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. "We have an average of 20 to 30 kids every night," Pettis said. The team will be a junior varsity club team for one to two years until the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association allows them to become a varsity team.
