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By BUDDY THOMAS bthomas@s-t.com MATTAPOISETT – The numbers four and seven have turned the last three off-seasons into nightmares for Henry Quinlan. Now, the veteran head coach is dreaming about a new set of numbers he hopes will help change the fortunes of his Old Rochester football team. Since taking over the head coaching reins from the veteran Craig Sherman in 2004, Quinlan has had just two winning seasons in his eight years at the helm. Those came in 2005 and 2008 when the Bulldogs finished 7-4. Although his teams have been competitive in all of his eight years at the helm, the last three have been particularly draining on the head coach. “When you finish 4-7 three years in a row, it tends to make the off-seasons awfully long, especially this past one when so many of last year’s losses were by just a few points,” Quinlan said. Case in point. Five of those seven losses were by a combined 19 points, including games decided by one, two and three points, meaning that, with one big stop or one more touchdown, last year’s record could just as easily have been 7-4 or better. Quinlan, however, isn’t worried about what could or should have been. He’s more focused on what could be which explains why he’s focusing on the new set of numbers ... two and three. The two centers around the Phillips brothers who transferred in from neighboring Wareham High and figure to play a prominent role in the coach’s other favorite number – three – which old rochester bulldogs coach: henry quinlan — conference: south coast conference — 2011 record: 4-7 mike valeri/the standard-times ORR coach Henry Quinlan has a quick offensive line for the team’s triple-option attack. Plenty of options for ORR is short for triple option. “We went to it on Thanksgiving Day and had a lot of success in the win over Apponequet (20-13) and we’ll be going with it this season,” Quinlan said. Underclassmen dominate this year’s roster and size isn’t a team strength. But with good athletes at the skill positions and what Quinlan sees as a renewed commitment to the program, this year’s team should be interesting. Richie Phillips is a 5-foot-10, 195-pounder who was penciled in as a running back on last year’s Wareham roster before he broke his leg. He’ll be one of the main threats in the triple option, which is triggered by Nolan Bergeron, a 6-0, 175 pound junior, who took over the starting quarterback position late last season. Raekwon Phillips (6-0, 170) can play both running back and split end, and running back Colin Knapton (5-11, 175) will also figure prominently in the triple-threat attack. Although Quinlan lost a pair of potentially key running backs (Elias Tobia to Wareham and Tyler Zell to soccer), he’s more than pleased with his depth at the position which features six underclassmen, including freshman Darien Dumond. The lines on both sides of the football are small with senior captain and starting center Aaron Holick the biggest (6-2, 250) and among the most experienced. But quickness, technique and a willingness to improve has Quinlan thinking positive. “This group is absolutely fun to work with and we (coaching staff) are all excited to see how things develop over the next couple of seasons,” he said. outlook: old rochester 2012 SCHEDULE Sept. 7 - at Martha’s Vineyard, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 - Bishop Stang, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 - GNB Voc-Tech, 7 p.m. Sept. 28 - at Fairhaven, 7 p.m. Oct. 5 - Case, 7 p.m. Oct. 12 - Wareham, 7 p.m. Oct. 19 - Dighton-Rehoboth, 7 p.m. Oct. 26 - at Bourne, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 - at Randolph, 7 p.m. Nov. 9 - at Seekonk, 7 p.m. Nov. 22 - at Apponequet, 10 a.m. 2011 RECORD: 4-7 Old Rochester 15, Martha’s Vineyard 8 Mashpee 28, Old Rochester 0 Bourne 14, Old Rochester 12 Seekonk 3, Old Rochester 0 Old Rochester 42, Bristol-Plymouth 0 Bishop Stang 7, Old Rochester 6 Old Rochester 14, Fairhaven 12 Wareham 14, Old Rochester 6 GNB Voc-Tech 13, Old Rochester 8 Dighton-Rehoboth 35, Old Rochester 14 Old Rochester 20, Apponequet 13 PROJECTED OFFENSE TE - Haydon Bergeron, Jr., 6-0, 180; OT - Ben Mattson, Sr., 6-1, 200; OG - Chris Helmar, Jr., 5-10, 215; C - Aaron Holick, Sr., 6-2, 250; OG - Zach Bowen, Jr., 5-8, 225; OT - Jesse Noonan, Jr., 6-0, 190; WR - Raekwon Phillips, So., 6-1, 170; WR - Jadon Peters, Sr., 5-8, 160; QB - Nolan Bergeron, Jr., 6-0, 170; RB - Richie Phillips, Jr., 5-10, 190; RB - Colin Knapton, Jr., 5-11, 175. SHOULD CONTRIBUTE OT - Steve McIntyre, Jr., 5-9, 205; OG - Frank Hopkins, Jr., 5-10, 190; WR - Chris Demers, Jr., 5-10, 140; RB - Ethan Lizotte, So., 5-9, 160; RB - Steve Clements, Jr., 5-8, 155. PROJECTED DEFENSE DL - Mattson; DL - McIntyre; DL - Helmar; DL - Holick; ILB - Haydon Bergeron; ILB - Hopkins; OLB - Phillips; OLB - Lizotte; CB - Raekwon Phillips; CB - Peters; FS - Nolan Bergeron. SHOULD CONTRIBUTE DL - Bowen; ILB - Hopkins; ILB - Steve Clements, Jr., 5-10, 175; ILB - Ryan Plunkett, Jr., 5-10, 185; OLB - Kyler Berry, So., 5-9, 175; OLB - Mike Harkins, Jr., 6-3, 180; CB - Demers. STRENGTHS /WEAKNESSES New system, renewed enthusiasm and a talented group of underclassmen give coach Quinlan and ORR fans something to get excited about. Nolan Bergeron gained experience after taking over at quarterback late last season and helped engineer the Bulldogs’ upset of Apponequet on Thanksgiving Day. Despite its youth and relative varsity inexperience, there appears to be plenty of depth on offense and, if Quinlan can get this team to play solid defense, it could spring a surprise or two in what is expected to be another competitive South Coast Conference race. projected finish Buddy thomas: fifth in scc, 5-6 overall laurie los: sixth in scc, 5-6 overall Page 15 The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA, Friday, September 7, 2012
The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA, Friday, September 7, 2012 Page 16 By BILL ABRAMSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER ROCHESTER – The building process under Coach Guilbeault is ongoing in the Old Colony Regional football program. It’s just being run by a different Guilbeault. Bryce Guilbeault and his father, Paul, have switched roles with Bryce taking over as the head football coach and Paul assuming an assistant coach’s role. “I took over, but nothing has changed,” Bryce said. “When my father became coach two years ago, a whole new staff came in and it’s still intact. “I’ve assumed a lot of the responsibility, but the kids made the transition easier this year. For the sophomores and juniors, I was there, installing the defense. This year, there’s no real difference between my father and myself. The kids still have the same coaching staff as last year, the same scheme of things. That made for an easy transition.” The new head coach is in his third year at Old Colony and previously was a volunteer assistant coach at Framingham State University. He played high school, prep school and college football, and still helps the university with local scouting. One area that Old Colony has taken a giant leap forward was starting a freshmen team where the youngest players can get on the field in game situations. It’s made a difference of having 20 sophomore players come back instead of 10. old colony cougars coach: bryce guilbeault — conference: mayflower — 2011 record: 2-8 MIKE VALERI/The Standard-Times Old Colony first-year head coach Bryce Guilbeault watches his players during a drill. Smooth transition for Cougars But the same problems exist at Old Colony as there have in the past. “We don’t have huge numbers,” the new head coach explained. “A lot of guys have to go both ways and, hopefully, we stay healthy. We’re getting bigger and we have a pretty big sophomore class, but there are a lot of 5-8, 150-pounders. “We’re doing our best to put them in a situation to succeed. We’re asking them to do something completely different, but I’m confident we’re going in the right direction. We don’t have numbers, so we have to outwork people and be in better condition.” To that end, the team’s lifting program has blossomed from a few players to 35 this year. “We’re getting to the point where they are seeing that lifting and conditioning are important,” Bryce said. “If they’re in better shape, that will keep them from injury. Two years ago, we had 24 guys in street clothes on the sidelines for the last game of the season. We’re not seeing a lot of those nagging injuries.” And the “new” head coach has the benefit of having the “old” head coach at his side. “This is his 38th season as a football coach,” Bryce Guilbeault explained about his dad. “It’s great for me. If I have any questions, it’s nice to bounce them off him. “He doesn’t have an ego. He knows football inside and out and he’s got a team mentality. When the kids see that, they see everyone has a niche and what’s best for the team.” outlook: old colony 2012 SCHEDULE Sept. 15 - St. Clement, 1 p.m. Sept. 22 - at Keefe Tech, 1 p.m. Oct. 6 - at Bishop Connolly, 1 p.m. Oct. 13 - Holbrook, 2 p.m. Oct. 20 - at West Bridgewater, 11 a.m. Oct. 27 - at Upper Cape, 2 p.m. Nov. 3 - South Shore, 2 p.m. Nov. 10 - at Nantucket, 5 p.m. Nov. 17 - Tri-County, 1 p.m. 2011 RECORD: 2-8 Old Colony 6, Trinity Catholic 0 St. Clement 35, Old Colony 6 Old Colony 26, Keefe Tech 0 Bishop Connolly 34, Old Colony 26 Holbrook 44, Old Colony 14 West Bridgewater 24, Old Colony 8 Upper Cape 28, Old Colony 6 South Shore 36, Old Colony 20 Nantucket 37, Old Colony 14 Tri-County 29, Old Colony 14 PROJECTED OFFENSE WR - Matt LeBlanc Sr., 5-9, 170; OT - Josh Cunha, Sr., 5-10, 200; OG - Jared Frade, Sr., 5-7, 150; C - Jacob Soares, Jr., 5-10, 210; OG - Spencer Grace, Sr., 5-10, 185; OT - Nick Demlin, Soph., 6-1, 230; WR - Tim Manny, Sr., 5-11, 180; QB - Jacob Pringle, Jr., 6-3, 195; RB - Kevin Blaise, Sr., 5-10, 190; WR - Flynn Stevens, Jr., 5-7, 150; WR - Seth Moniz, Soph., 5-8, 150. SHOULD CONTRIBUTE OT - Chris Cartier, Soph., 5-10, 245; WR - Cody Davignon, Soph., 5-8, 150. PROJECTED DEFENSE DE - Jake Tobiason, Sr., 5-11, 190; DT - Frade; DT - Cunha; DE - Grace; ILB - Alex Buckley, Sr., 6-5, 220; OLB - Cole Bernier, Soph., 5-10, 165; OLB - Blaise; CB - Manny; CB - Stevens; S - Scott Daniels, Jr., 5-8, 160; S - LeBlanc. SHOULD CONTRIBUTE ILB - Brett Aguiar, Sr., 5-10, 205 (injured); DT - Cartier; CB - Davignon. STRENGTHS /WEAKNESSES When a team is lacking in numbers, those players who show the best get to play a lot. Many of the seniors on the Old Colony roster were forced to play since their sophomore seasons and that experience should pay off for the Cougars this year. The players are playing under the same offensive and defensive system, which makes it easier to add new things. The older players have picked up changes quickly and are helping their younger teammates. The biggest weakness is one the team has faced every year – depth. Seven players are slated to go both ways, so the key is to stay healthy. Old Colony can’t afford injuries to key players that require two substitutes to fill that void. projected finish Buddy thomas: fifth in mayflower, 3-7 laurie los: sixth in mayflower, 2-8
Page 1 and 2: KICKOFF 2012 SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 THE
Page 3 and 4: Buddy Thomas It looks like another
Page 5 and 6: outlook: New Bedford 2012 SCHEDULE
Page 7 and 8: Dynamic duo in backfield By LAURIE
Page 9 and 10: The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA
Page 11 and 12: The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA
Page 13: The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA

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