Shrine teams report Sunday

By rbrown
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Updated: July 26, 2018

The New Hampshire Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl team has completed offseason workouts, which consisted primarily of 7-on- 7 competition, and will begin official practice for this year’s game on Sunday.

This year’s game — the 5th edition of the contest — will be played Aug. 4 at Castleton (Vt.) University. Winnisquam’s Pat Riberdy is New Hampshire head coach.

“Everything is good so far,” Riberdy said. “Fund-raising is going well, and we were happy with the turnout we got for 7-on-7s that we held.”

Riberdy said New Hampshire will run the Piston offense (one running back) with five receivers. Londonderry’s Mike McAllister and Bow’s Matt Harkins are the team’s quarterbacks.

“Both will play,” Riberdy said. “McAllister is really good with his feet. Harkins is solid in the pocket and has a really strong arm. We haven’t played Bow since three years ago, and I can’t believe how much is arm strength has improved.

“I feel good about the chemistry of the team, and the way I like to run by offense I’m like a kid in a candy store.

Campbell’s Ryan Yanuszewski and Nashua North’s R.J. Jenkins are among those expected to see significant playing time at running back.

“(Yanuszewski) — he’s really impressed with his speed and quickness,” Riberdy said. “Jenkins has also been very impressive. We have some good-sized linemen too.”

Windsor’s Greg Balch will coach Vermont, which will be trying to stretch its winning streak to three games. Vermont prevailed 19-0 last year and won 50-2 in 2016. Last year’s victory marked the first time Vermont had won back-to-back Shrine games since it captured three straight from 1975 to 1977.

Both New Hampshire and Vermont are scheduled to practice three times a day during the week leading up to the game. Riberdy said he will attempt to use players on only one side of the ball.

“Some will play both if they’re that good of an athlete,” he said. “A kid like Cole Glennon … he’s as good of a receiver as he is a defensive back.”