Can Devils repeat?
By Eric Avidon

Leominster had a dream season a year ago, finishing with a
10-3 record and winning the Central/Western Mass. Division 1
Super Bowl.

A lot of talent is gone from that team, but plenty of talent returns as well.

The Blue Devils lost 19 seniors to graduation, including
starters at five positions on offense and six on
defense. But while starters at 11 positions are gone, that
means that starters at 11 positions --six on offense and
five on defense -- are back.

The returning talent is headed by captains Tom Fallon, Ryan
Rendon, Tim DiLillo and Jon Ciccone.

"They have been outstanding," said Leominster head coach
John Dubzinski. "They did a great job of lifting and running
in the offseason. They've played a lot of ball for us and
they set a good example for the other kids."

Fallon returns at defensive back and will be Leominster's
featured running back this season, taking over the position
vacated by Kevin L'Ecuyer.

"He's ready to step up and take over," said Dubzinski.

Rendon also returns at defensive back, while DiLillo and
Ciccone will anchor the line on both sides of the ball.

While Fallon is new to the starting backfield, Anthony
Bizzotto, who ran for 10 touchdowns and 650 yards even
though he wasn't the featured back, returns at fullback.

"He could have a big year," said Dubzinski.

Other returning starters include Seth Tardiff and Ryan
Bailey on the offensive line and Adam Cordio at flanker.

Perhaps the biggest question facing this year's Leominster
team is at the quarterback position. Kevin Barnaby was the
starter on last year's championship team and is the holder
of numerous school records, but he's in college. This year's
starter will be senior Chris Swart.

"Chris is one of the hardest-working kids on the team," said
Dubzinski. "He was 4-feet-10 and 90 pounds when he was a
freshman, but now he's about 5-feet-9 and weighs 160
pounds. He's much stronger, and he's very fundamentally
sound. He's an excellent leader and throws a good pass. I
expect him to have a very good season."

As the season begins, Leominster's starting backfield is its
greatest strength.

"The running backs are the strongest part of the team on the
offensive side, and on the defensive side I would say
Bizzotto and Ciccone at cornerback are the strength," said
Dubzinski.

He added that the team has "made progress since practice
started on Aug. 19. We've progressed to the point where we
want to be heading into the season, but we have a tough
first game against Everett. We look forward to playing
them."

The game against Everett is perhaps the marquee matchup in
the state on the opening weekend of the high school football
season, a clash between defending Super Bowl champions.

"They are a great football team," said Dubzinski. "They have
14 starters back from an undefeated Eastern Mass. Super Bowl
championship team and they deserve to be the number one
ranked team in the state. They're very big up front on both
sides of the ball."

Leominster's title defense will be difficult this fall, but
a game against a team as good as Everett can't help but
prepare the Blue Devils for any challenge they will face in
Central Mass. And maybe, just maybe, it will prepare
Leominster for another dream season.
 
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