The Crimson Tide graduated 16 seniors, many of whom were multi-year starters and had been coached under head coach Jim Corkum’s system for four years.
Concord reached the playoffs twice in the past three seasons, its only two since 2014, and the team built a foundation and identity that can carry it forward.
This season, however, won’t be any easier than the last. Under center, sophomore Rhys Craigue will step up into the gap left behind by Colby Nyhan, who single-handedly drove the Tide to victory with throws and kicks last year.
Craigue will start his first varsity game against a perennial powerhouse, Salem, on Friday night in Concord, and will try to get the new offense moving.
“You’re going into a really difficult, physical game, but it also gives you a great opportunity to see where your team’s at as you’re heading into the season,” Corkum said. “So we’re going to find out a lot about ourselves tomorrow night, no matter how the game goes out.”
Accompanying Craigue, senior RB/DB Tim Fahnbulleh and junior RB/DB Colin Savard are leading the team as captains as the rising starters adjust to the level of play.
The Crimson Tide will have other emerging players to watch out for at Memorial Field this season.
Senior lineman Gabe Menchion was narrowly beaten out by the team’s seniors in years past, and has earned his spot to protect the young QB and make space for the veteran backs. Menchion will play alongside sophomore lineman Jax Diachenko and junior center Raider Agan, who will do their best to stop opposing rushers.
“He’s just a good football player. He’s aggressive, he’s a big kid, he’s strong. So he’s a kid who’s really anchoring on that offensive line,” Corkum said about Diachenko.
To fill receiving gaps, sophomores Nick Marquis and Eddie Harerimana will get their first tastes of varsity football and provide different options for Craigue on offense.
The biggest thing, Corkum said, will be staying healthy on both sides of the ball. Last year, the Tide’s lines were riddled with injuries that hindered its potential against the strongest teams in the division.
Concord will play against their opponent as much as they play against themselves, so sticking to good, clean, foundational football will be a key to success, the coach said.
“If we can be really good at that and stay in games, I think we have a good chance of returning to the playoffs,” Corkum said.
John Stark
Division: II West Conference
Coach: Ray Kershaw (fifth year)
Last year: 6-4, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: AJ Bellen, jr., RB/DB; Brayden Porth, jr, TE/DL; Cooper Twombley, jr., RB/DB; JJ Tucker, sr., TE/LB; Richard Armendaiz, sr., OL/DL; David Canney, jr., OL/DL; Jason Young, jr., OL/DL; Phineas Twomey, jr., OL/DL
Bow
Division: II East Conference
Coach: Rob Clauss (first year)
Last year: 5-5, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Dale Berg, jr., OL/DL; Brayden Brown, jr., RB/LB; Colby Cloutier, so., RB/LB; Chase Flagg, sr., RB/LB; Sean Flaherty, jr., RB/DB; Brody Hinck, so., OL/DL; Hunter Hutchison, sr., OL/DL; Peyton Larrabee, sr., WR/DL; Miles Miller, sr., RB/DB; Shane Rabalais, jr., RB/DB; Elliot Rheaume, sr., RB/LB; Callum Richardson, jr., OL/DL; , Caleb Schumacher, sr., RB/DB; Jack Wheeler, sr., QB/DB; Joseph York, sr., OL/DL
Top newcomers: Luke Santas, jr., WR/DB; Brody Haas, sr., WR/DL; Ryan Tassias, so., QB/LB; Mason Vose, jr., OL/DL
Outlook: “The players are working very hard to learn a new offense and defensive system. There’s lots of talent and really great attitudes. We are looking forward to a competitive season.”
Merrimack Valley
Division: II East Conference
Coach: Matt Shaw (third year)
Last year: 4-6, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Jack Parris, sr., QB; Chris Babonis, sr., TE/S/P; Marshall Hollins, sr., OT/DT; Nate Wallace, jr., RB/LB; Kingston Claremont, jr., RB/OLB
Top newcomers: Liam Burch, so., OT/DE; Evan Wescott, jr., RB/LB; Romeo Robles, so., RB/LB
Outlook: “We are a very young team with little varsity experience. We have a new offense this year, which the team has bought into and seemed to grasp conceptually quite well,” said Shaw.
Teams to beat: Plymouth, Pelham, Souhegan, Trinity
Pembroke
Division: II East Conference
Coach: Will Moher (eighth year)
Last year: 2-7
Returning starters: Porter Brown, jr., QB/DB; Cole Demers, jr., RB/LB; Kebin Benard, sr., OL/DL; Wyatt Royce, sr., OL/DB; Kayden Mores, sr., OL/DL; Nate Poulin, jr., OL/DL; Gavin Gross, jr, WR/DB
Outlook: “Hoping to be competitive with a young team with only three seniors. All three seniors are linemen, which is our strength,” said Moher.
Kearsarge
Division: III West Conference
Coach: Michael Jensen (second year)
Last year: 2-6
Returning starters: Justin St. Onge, sr., WR/DB; Kaleb Naughton, sr., QB/LB; Will Kucharski, sr., OL/DL; Will Carson, sr., OL/DL; Aidan Ruckman, jr., WR/DB; Cameron Brand, jr., RB/LB; Wyatt Brothers, jr., OL/DL; Zack Phyllides, jr., OL/LB; Will Bennett, so., OL/DL; Caleb Moyer, jr., WR/LB; Jacote Ryder, jr., RB/LB; Ethan St. Clair, jr., DB/WR
Returning starters: Noah Sevigny, jr., RB/S; Coleman Joshpe, fr., OL/DL; Carter Wheeler, sr., S/WR
Outlook: “We have a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball. We are into year two evolution of our offense and defense. We will focus on attention to detail and playing hard for all four quarters this season. We hope to have a more competitive season this year.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Inter-Lakes-Moultounborough, Monadnock