The high school football season kicks off with a highly anticipated matchup as the Westford Academy football team faces Lowell High School on Friday at 19:00. This non-league contest marks the third consecutive season these two teams have met, with Westford having secured shutout victories in both previous matchups—22-0 in 2023 and 14-0 in 2022. However, Lowell, now under the direction of head coach Scott Boyle, enters this season with renewed expectations following a challenging 4-7 record last year.
Westford coach Bruce Rich Jr. acknowledged the challenge posed by Lowell’s returning roster. “This is a very good Lowell team. We’ve seen them throughout the summer during 7v7 competitions, and they’ll be the fastest team we face all season,” he stated. With many key players returning, including quarterback Seth Ly, three-year starting running back Anthony Perez, and wide receiver Collin Christiansen, Boyle believes his team is prepared to compete effectively.
While Lowell boasts experience at the skilled positions, there are concerns about inexperience along the offensive and defensive lines. “We have a lot of our skilled kids back, so I feel good about the experience with those guys,” said Boyle. “We have worked hard, so our expectations are to play well. We must execute on the field; we can’t just talk about it.”
Key players for Lowell also include senior linemen Josef Flores and Dewis Guerrido, both of whom return after missing last season. The offensive lineup will be complemented by wide receiver Ricky Phom, tight end Ben Durkin, and running back Steevan Many.
On the other side, Westford (8-3) faces its own challenges after losing quarterback Alex Wilson and wide receiver Ryan Kyle to graduation. The team will rely on running backs Ben Chen and Brett Moran, along with wide receivers Teddy Hirbour and Dante Vasilu, to maintain their offensive momentum. New quarterback Jack Lafond will also be pivotal in executing the game plan.
Boyle has expressed admiration for Westford’s program, noting their strong track record in recent years. “They have been one of the top programs in this area over the last two or three years. I’m impressed with their team,” he said, highlighting the challenge his team faces this Friday.
Rich is optimistic about Westford’s new talent stepping into crucial roles despite the loss of experienced players. “Our players have worked hard and bought into what we’re coaching. Our strength begins up front in the trenches,” he explained. Junior two-way player JJ Wilson (defensive end/guard) is expected to be a key contributor this season.
Upcoming Local Games
In addition to the Westford and Lowell contest, a total of eleven other local games are scheduled for Friday night, with one match on Saturday. Notable games include:
– North Reading at Greater Lowell (18:00)
– Lowell Catholic at Chelsea (18:00)
– Dracut at Medfield (18:00)
– Wilmington at Essex Tech (18:30)
– Masconomet at Billerica (19:00)
– Bishop Feehan at Chelmsford (19:00)
– Lynnfield at Shawsheen Tech (19:00)
– Littleton at Ayer-Shirley (19:00)
– Fitchburg at Groton-Dunstable (19:00)
– Springfield International at Nashoba Tech (19:00)
– Alvirne at Salem (19:00)
– Pelham at John Stark (Saturday at 13:00)
One matchup to watch is the Masconomet-Billerica game, featuring new head coach Shawn Theriault making his debut for the Indians. Key players include wide receiver Timmy Murphy and quarterback Dan Venezia, both fresh off championship titles in hockey and lacrosse.
Last Week’s Standout Performers
The opening week of games showcased remarkable individual performances across various teams. Notably, Nashoba Tech running back Zack Deschenes achieved an impressive 180 yards on just seven carries, scoring two touchdowns and adding an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown.
In Pelham’s victory over Bow, Brady Williams amassed 208 all-purpose yards, showcasing his versatility with 78 rushing yards, 88 receiving yards, and a touchdown, while also returning kicks. Shawsheen Tech’s senior running back Jake Banda delivered a standout performance with 230 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Additionally, Dracut quarterback Lyric DeLeon had a notable outing in a 27-6 win over Dover-Sherborn, completing 13 of 22 passes for 185 yards while contributing to three touchdowns in only his second varsity start.
The upcoming games promise to deliver exciting matchups and showcase emerging talents as the season unfolds. Fans can expect a hard-fought contest between Lowell and Westford, setting the tone for a competitive high school football season ahead.
