All right, it’s a little late, but the Creature has to put a wrap on the football season with my final Fantastic Four and my second annual All-Longo team.
First, the Fantastic Four.
1. Salem – State Division 1 champion, the kind of team I would have loved to see compete in the MVC this year. From box to wire, the top team in the area.
2. Whittier – Undefeated champs, albeit it at a lower level.
3. Methuen – A couple breaks on Thanksgiving and this team could have reached the playoffs.
4. Central – Overachieving bunch, the 8-3 mark was pretty much unexpected.
And now the All-Longo guys. Remember, to make this team it took more than numbers. At some point, you had to have caught my eye on the field.
QB … Cal Carroll, Methuen – Again, this was really tough to come up with. There were so many great candidates. Hennessey, Ouellette, Elwell, Brandon Walsh, Dillon Ryan, et al. I give it up to Cal, strictly because of the way he responded to physical poundings. 1,000-yard rusher with a bullseye on his back, capable passer. Again, squeezes every ounce of ability out of his 5-11 frame. Can’t ask for more.
RB … Max Jacques, Salem – To be honest, it wasn’t a spectacular year for the RB. His toughest competition was clearly his teammate Jerickson Fedrick, but Jacques ignited a state champion at the highest level of competition we see in these parts. I think of what he and Fedrick did on FieldTurf and I shudder. Just too explosive.
TE … Brian Miller, Andover – You know I love guys who look the part. Miller looks and plays the part. The kid is still finding himself athletically, sure, but we haven’t seen tools (size-speed-hands) like this in these parts since Rob Konrad was at the Prep.
WR … Michael Calzetta, Lawrence – You can make a great case for him as All-Longo MVP (which I have chosen not to name) with 50 catches and the defense all over him. He earned this in September with the one-handed snatch against Lowell. After that, it was gravy. Big props for playing hoop, too.
FL … Raudy Minaya, Methuen – Made at least a dozen catches that I said he had no chance of hauling in. At the midpoint, Methuen needed to find a second offensive option and discovered Minaya. Since that moment, he was as dangerous a weapon as the region had.
WB … Steve Surette, Whittier – I need a playmaker here. Versatility, toughness, grit, speed, a little bit of everything for my wing. And that’s Surette. Led the region with 51 catches for 784 yards. He and Calzetta tied for the region lead with 14 TD grabs.
OL … Thor Johnson, Pinkerton – The Mighty Thor was an automatic on this team.
OL … Dillon Cohen, Salem – Overcame a bundle of adversity to anchor a brilliant front line for the champs.
OL … Juan Olivo, Greater Lawrence – Bamboo belongs here, just because of what he did to help pave the way for “Joe 2K.”
OL … Bobby Vardaro, Phillips – From Andover, playing at BC. Enough said.
OL … Ryan Tragakis, Whittier – The sophomore is the cover boy for a group vote here. All eight of the guys Bradley rotated in up front for the Cats earn a share of the fifth O line spot. “Freight Train all day, baby!!!”
Defense
DL … Kyle Henrick, Salem – He’s my edge-setting end on the strong side. Nobody played the run tougher at end than Henrick this year. It showed, especially in both playoff wins.
DL … Tito Morel, Haverhill – Any kid good enough to catch the attention of the coaches and make first team all-conference from a team that didn’t win is good enough for me.
DL … Ben Proulx, Pinkerton – My pass-rushing end. He was banged-up much of the year and teams ran away from him, but he was in the opposing backfield causing trouble more often than not.
LB … Joey DiPalma, Salem – Telling you, I heard this kid’s name called more this year at Salem games than I call Ollie Longo to dinner. It got to the point that Ollie said to me at one Salem game, “Who is Joe DiPalma, he must be good.”
LB … Harvey Blanco, Lawrence – Solid fielder with great range and a strong arm at short, good speed on the bases, hits anyone’s fastball with power to all fields. Oooops. That was last spring. Nope, you’ve heard plenty from me about Harvey over the last couple years. Love his heart, love his motor, made plays, tough as nails. And he does it all at 5-foot-6.
LB … Zach Tulley, Pinkerton – The apple didn’t fall far on this one. You see a ton of Matt in Zach when he’s at linebacker. I noticed it most in the state semi with Salem. Kid’s a player, just like dad.
LB …Zack Lattrell, Central – You didn’t have to watch, just listen to know that Lattrell was hurting people out there. Played with incredible zest for defense. He’s my impression of a throwback
LB …Nate Allen, Whittier – Hit man, an assassin, ball-seeking steamroller. Inspirational kind of leader, by example first and foremost. You win championships with athletes like this.
DB … Jimmy Johnson, Andover – Plays pass defense like he rebounds, physical and relentless.
DB … Andrew Ouellette, Central Catholic – To think a year ago this kid was nursing a broken knee cap. Clearly, the comeback player of the year in the region.
DB … Josh Luciano, Pelham – I watched this kid and the Pythons once. He was all over the field, both on offense and defense. Thought about putting him in the wingback spot. He’s best-suited here.
