NHFR Team Previews: Laconia

Coach: Craig Kozens (18th season)
Division/Conference: Division III
2017 Record: 5-4
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Returning Starters on Offense: 3
Key Returnees: Jakob Steele (RB/DB) SR (returning First Team All-Conference last year);  Garrett Whitney(FB/LB) JR; Bryce McCrea (OL/DL) JR (starting OL since his freshman year); Kelby Brooker (RB/LB) SR; Tyler Richter (OL/LB) JR; Ryan Dee (QB/DB) JR; Caleb Petell (TE/DE) SR; Ryan Chaisson (WR/DB) SR; Musaab Abu Zaid (OL/DL) SR; Jordan Brown (OL/DL); Marcus Sullivan (OL/DL) SR; DeMarco McKissic (OL/DE) SOPH; Caleb Roy (RB/DB) JR; Patrick Duggan (SE/DB).
Season Opener: Aug. 31 vs. Hillsboro-Deering/Hopkinton
Coach’s Comment: “The new conference leads to a lot of unknowns,” Kozens said. “A lot of traditionally tough teams from the past have returned to our schedule. We transition to a new quarterback in Ryan Dee, who has a very strong arm and gives us a run threat. Jakob Steele will be one of the most talented backs in our conference and will carry more of the load. Really good size on the lines led by juniors Bryce McCrea and Tyler Richter as returning starters. Garrett Whitney and Kelby Brooker return at linebacker to sure up the defense. We have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball but very good numbers going into this season.  We are hopeful that the program will grow from the 32 players that we have had the last couple of years, to back to over 45 players this fall.”

—–