After adding talented new players on both sides of the ball, the Andover football team hopes to make a third consecutive appearance in the NEPSAC Championship game. After a 7-1 regular season last year, capped off with a 24-14 victory over rival Exeter, the 2007 team fell to Trinity-Pawling in the league championship. Attaining this kind of success is hard work, and repeating it is even harder, but Captain Andrew Pohly ’09 said that the team has been working hard in practice and is confident about the season. “Everyone has high expectations for the team,” said Pohly. “The team chemistry is great, and the new players are already meshing well with the returners.” Assistant Captain Anthony Morlani ’09 is also poised to start the season. “This year’s team is very talented and has great depth at every position.” Morlani continued, “Replacing a graduating class as talented as 2008 is never easy, but with the players that have been brought in and our talented returners, we are confident that this will be a successful season.” This year’s offense will have a different look to it, as quarterback Dan Hussey ’09 takes over at the helm. With his strong arm, he will have plenty of options to throw the ball to, such as returning receivers Morlani and Luke Duprey ’10. Hussey will be well protected with much of the offensive line returning. The running game will feature additions Eddie Houghton ’09 and Sam Auffant ’09, and both will bring a great mix of speed and power to the ground attack. According to Pohly, the new offense will have a more balanced attack than previous years. The defense will be balanced as well, defending both the pass and run effectively. The hard-hitting linebacker corps is lead by Sam Clark ’09 and Louis Jacoubs ’09 along with a defensive backfield that includes Joey Atiba ’09. With a defensive line led by Pohly that remains intact from last year, the team looks to be experienced in the trenches. “The defense is looking strong, fast, and aggressive,” stated Pohly. All these new and returning players look to have a good season that could potentially bring the team to the NEPSAC title game again.
