NHFR Team Previews: Plymouth

By rbrown
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Updated: July 16, 2018

2018 TEAM PREVIEWS
Plymouth Bobcats

Coach: Chris Sanborn (fifth Season).
Division/Conference: Division II North.
2017 Record: 11-0 (Division II state champion, 27-8 victory over Bow).
Returning Starters on Defense: (3).
Returning Starters on Offense: (4).
Key Returnees: Owen Brickley (RB/DB), Camden MacDonald (OL/DL) Patrick Malm (OL/LB) Seth Sawyer (OL/DL) Steven Shute (OL/DL) Anthony Velez (WR/DB)
Season Opener: Sept. 1 vs. Bow.
Coach’s Comment: “Division North has produced three out of the four semifinal teams the last two years, and both teams in the championship were Division II North teams those years as well, so we know there is little room for error if we want to get into the playoffs,” Sanborn said. “With our opening game a rematch of the championship we know we have to be firing on all cylinders Week 1. Bow is always a tough well-coached team and has numerous starters returning. Our loss of 17 seniors, many of them starting since their sophomore year, is going to be tough. Those players took with them a lot of game experience, and that is going to be the hardest to overcome. With four starters back on the offensive line we hope that will be a strength of the team. Camden MacDonald (C,G), Steven Shute (T), Patrick Malm (G) and Seth Sawyer (T) all return as starters. Other players like Tracy Cristiano, Jacob Duquette and Sean Griffiths are looking to get into the starting lineup, which should create an intense preseason. In the backfield Owen Brickley has a lot of experience at running back as well as some quarterback. Anthony Velez was instrumental as a sophomore in our run to the championship in 2016 due to injuries to other players. He also played a key role in 2017 at returner, wide receiver and defensive back and will be expected to help carry the load this year. The quarterback position should be a key battle in camp. Zack McGlone (Sr.) returns along with Cody Bannon (Soph.). Brickley and Velez also have varsity game experience at QB and will be in the mix for that spot.

“Defensively, Shute and MacDonald return at tackle as well as Brickley in the secondary. Velez was also a key sub at defensive back in different packages. Malm returns at linebcker after an injury limited him last year and ultimately kept him on the offensive side of the ball. Jackson Palombo (DE) has been waiting for his time and should play a big role for us. The linebacker spots are wide open and we should see be some key competition for those spots during the preseason.

“I have been doing this long enough to know that every season some kids show up and really surprise us in how much they have improved from the previous season and end up being instrumental to the team. Like most teams, things will begin to sort out starting August 13.”

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Note: New Hampshire Football Report will be posting NHIAA team previews through the end of the preseason. If you are a head coach who would like to submit information for your team preview please use the format above. If you would prefer to receive a preview questionnaire via email please contact Roger Brown at rbrown@nhfootballreport.com.