ATHOL — There might not be a side that gained more from the abbreviated Fall II season than the Athol football team.
It was just two years ago that the Bears barely had enough players to take the field for games — oftentimes competing with just 11 or 12 total players — and became overmatched in the second half of games once the fatigue of playing every offensive, defensive and special teams snap set in.
A couple wins to kick off the 2020 campaign, including a last-second victory over rival Mahar, brought some life back into Athol, which now starts its season with high aspirations and over 30 players on the roster.
“We’re in a new league so we’re not sure what to make of it,” Bears coach Bill LaRose said. “We have a nice schedule and we’re looking to get Athol Bears football back to where it used to be.”
The energy gained off wins over Franklin Tech and Mahar felt like the springboard Athol needed to get back on track, and it’s hoping that momentum carries into this season.
“We went into the first and second game with a lot of pride,” senior quarterback Caleb Cox said. “We set the bar high the first couple games. We had the momentum and once we got it, we took off. We hit a slump with (a loss to) Greenfield but I think they boosted our confidence with kids wanting to come play. They saw we weren’t just a losing program anymore.”
While the Bears have a full roster, it’s a young one. LaRose said he’s pleased with the development of the young guys through practice, and has high hopes that they have the players to step in and play.
Many of the young players already have some game experience as well due to those low numbers in the program from years past.
“This is the most kids we’ve had in three years,” senior Vinny Gordon said. “The more kids that are joining, there’s more bodies and we’re getting good practices in. I think we’re going to win a lot of games this year. We have a lot of good younger kids who are playing up. We’ve only had varsity for the last few years so they’re getting great reps.”
For the seniors and juniors, having a full roster to have real practices is a welcomed sight. Just two years ago they couldn’t scrimmage or accomplish much with only a few players available.
This year, they’ve been able to improve and feel they’ve grown throughout preseason camp.
“With more kids, it’s going to help the younger guys, too,” Cox said. “We didn’t have that competition in practices. Now that we have over 30 kids we can scrimmage and get better looks every practice.”
The Bears offense will run through Cox, a four-year starter under center and a player LaRose is counting on to have a big senior season.
“Caleb is quite an athlete,” LaRose said. “He’s been our quarterback for four years and he’s ready to do right by his senior year. I’m excited to see what he can do for us.”
Gordon will be a weapon in the passing game and off the edge, Shea Brennan and Dilan Fountain are healthy after suffering injuries last year and Cain Young will center the line and be a factor in the middle of the defense.
The confidence is sky high for the Bears, who have their eyes set on making a postseason appearance.
“Right now we look good,” Cox said. “I’m feeling good about the season. We have some younger kids but I think they’ll fill their roles nice. We have some kids injured but once we’re at full strength I think we can make a playoff run.”
Athol opens its 2021 slate Friday night when it hosts Drury in an independent tilt at O’Brien Field.