There’s a renewed sense of energy at Franklin Tech football practices this fall.
The Eagles weren’t pleased with how the shortened Fall II season went — a season that saw Franklin Tech go winless — and have come into this season with a different attitude, looking to get back to playing winning football.
“Last year motivated us a lot,” senior Chad Adams said. “We don’t want to make the same mistakes we were making last season. It’s a lot better than last year. We definitely have gotten a lot better. From where we started to now, it’s 10 times better. Compared to last year, we’re way different and better.”
The Eagles will join Greenfield, Athol, Ware, Palmer and Mahar in the new Intercounty League North Division. It’s a league with many familiar opponents.
Like all teams, Franklin Tech is enjoying the added motivation of having a full league schedule this season. With a postseason to play for, it’s not hard for the players to get geared up for the season.
“We have nine games and are actually competing for the playoffs and postseason this year,” senior Logan Call said. “We have something to play for. We want to keep working hard and we want to make it to the playoffs.”
The Eagles have three chances to avenge losses from last year with the Green Wave, Bears and Senators all on the docket. McCann Tech, Chicopee and a Turkey Day clash with Smith Vocational are the non-league contests on the Franklin Tech schedule.
The lone local opponent it lost was Frontier, a disapointment to some on the team.
“It sucks not getting to play Frontier,” Adams said. “That’s my old school so I wanted to play them and try to beat them one more time but that’s how it goes. We’ll just have to kick everyone else’s butts instead.”
The Eagles lost quarterback Owen Bashaw to graduation, with sophomore Gabe Tomasi making the switch from wide receiver to signal-caller. Adams slots in as a fullback and linebacker while Max Bastarache brings some speed to both sides of the ball.
Franklin Tech likes its stable of running backs, led by Ryan Demers, who returns from a back injury. He’ll be joined by sophomore Pat Gray and freshman Josiah Little, who brings an element of speed to the offense.
Call has looked strong at corner, senior Dylan Mathieu will be a factor at tight end and linebacker and Tyler Whitney will play on the boundary on both sides of the ball.
Transfer Andrew Esposito looks like an impact guy on the line of scrimmage. Eagles coach Joe Gamache is expecting big things from his guard duo of Brody Williams and Charlie Boyden, and senior Robert Asenault is another player who has flashed on the line of scrimmage.
For Gamache, the goal is to continue to trend upward as a team.
“We want to improve each day we’re out here,” Gamache said. “I keep telling them we just want to get one percent better each day and if we do, we’ll be in good shape.”
Gamache does have a large contingent to work with, with 53 players on the Franklin Tech roster to start the season.
The team is young, however, and the seniors understand their leadership will be critical if the Eagles want to have success this year.
“We have a lot of young players,” Call said. “We’re just trying to get things going for them. It’s tough with so many young guys but they need us seniors to be leaders.”
The season kicks off Saturday, as the Eagles will renew an old Tri-County League rivalry with McCann Tech. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in North Adams, and the Eagles have one goal in mind.
“We’re hoping we get to add some wins to the ‘W’ column,” Bastarache said. “That’s all we’re focused on.”