BY Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

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aving only become a program for about a dozen seasons, the Sutton-Douglas co-op football team put together one of their better campaigns last fall. Going 6-5 during the regular season the squad was able to qualify for the Division 8 state playoffs where they were awarded a 10 seed in the 16-team division. Unfortunately, Sutton-Douglas fell to KIPP Academy 46-20 in the first round and were sent home earlier than they would have liked. Putting together a six win season was one in which tied the school record for the best season during the schools young existence.  

 “We are still a work in progress and are considered a young program” coach Patrick Moseley said. “From that season we lost nine seniors, but are returning 12 this year, most of them starters and we should be able to compete with what we did last fall.”

One of the returning seniors will be quarterback Cam Benedict, who has been under center all four years. Over his time as the team’s field general Benedict has not only matured as a player,  but has developed an understanding of the offense. According to the coach, Benedict has learned that he cannot just continue to rely on himself, but must incorporate his teammates as well.

 “Cam has grown up as a person as well as a player over the years,” Moseley said. “Passing is his strength and he knows that not every play has to be 40-50 yards down field, instead he’s taking those quick interior routes down the field one pass at a time.”

In addition to the quarterback, Sutton-Douglas also has Benedict’s younger brother, junior receiver Brennan Benedict coming back this fall. The younger sibling is 6’4” and brings a big body to the team’s outside receiving. He is also good at reading the defenses and adjusting to find the space needed to get open. Together the two brothers have worked hard to improve their game for the upcoming season.

Another offensive weapon this fall will be senior running back Declan O’Callaghan. Despite playing a different position last season the senior looks to be a downhill power back for the squad this year.

“There was another back in front of him last year, but this year Declan is going to get the bulk of our carries and carry the load,” the coach said. “As far as the team goes were a 60-40 run-pass. It’s nice to have Cam back there to pass once we establish the run.”

Last fall Sutton-Douglas’ main back was able to secure 850 yards or so on the ground and Moseley firmly believes that O’Callaghan, who will be the team’s feature back in this year’s system, should be able to exceed those rushing numbers this year.

Defensively the team will play a 4-2-5 scheme with a lot of skilled players in the secondary, but the strength will lie up front with the team’s linebackers. O’Callaghan will be one of those linebackers playing up front, while Jacob Bastardo take his post at defensive tackle, Liam Gervickas at defensive end, and Ryan Doolin will play defensive end and tackle – all as will also main contributors to the line disrupting the opposition’s offense.

With the season looking to get underway Mosely and his team are once again looking to qualify for the state playoffs this year putting together an extended run while putting themselves in a better position (lower than a 10 seed) than last fall.

In addition to earning themselves a spot in the Division 8 post-season, Sutton-Douglas will be looking to secure their first ever Dual Valley Conference (DVC) Championship. In order to do that they will also have to be successful with a DVC opponent on Thanksgiving Day when they take on rival Blackstone-Millville. Over the course of the rivalry the two teams are relatively equal, although BMR has been victorious over the past two season. Moseley noted that it would be nice to take back the Thanksgiving game this year with a win on BMR’s home field.

 “For us to be successful this season we need to improve upon our physicality,” Moseley said. “Go out there and finish our plays on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, while playing together as a team.”

If the athletes can take to the field and follow their coaches’ instructions the Sutton-Douglas football team is more than likely to not only improve upon their regular season record, but make a run through the tournament for the first time in their young existence.