SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier Regional football team appears ready for another successful season in the Intercounty South. Even with over 2,000 rushing yards gone to graduation, the Redhawks have new players thirsting for an increased role.
Frontier has 24 players signed up for football, with 22 available for varsity action.
Running back Noah Poreda bulked up considerably and is ready for a larger workload. Frontier plans to pair Poreda with Kimie Taylor, who is a quick player with a tremendous burst. Taylor also made some strides in the weight room in the offseason.
Frontier Regional coach Scott Dredge addresses the team at practice, Tuesday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Ezra Rich (left) of the Frontier Regional football team powers through drill at practice, Tuesday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Noah Poreda of the Frontier Regional football team participates in a conditioning drill at practice, Tuesday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Frontier Regional coach Scott Dredge addresses the team at practice, Tuesday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
Quarterback Konnor James orchestrates the offense with quick decision making. James did a lot of work playing in a 7-on-7 league during the summer.
“They are certainly physically capable of handling themselves on a football field,” Frontier coach Scott Dredge said of James and Poreda. “They’ve both gained a lot of confidence with how they played last year. That’s just carrying over to this year.”
James, entering his junior season, certainly has the size to keep the ball and run. Taylor played in the 7-on-7 league and could be a solid receiving threat for the Redhawks.
“I am going to run hard,” James said. “That’s what I need to do for our team. But we have Noah Poreda and Kimie Taylor. They are going to run outside for us. We will have options, but I need to run upfield and run hard and get yards for our team.
James got a nickname while playing in the passing league, players from other schools referred to him ‘Diego Pavia’. The former Vanderbilt Commodore played quarterback in a shorter frame, similar to James.
“I didn’t mind that,” James said. “Diego Pavia is a good football player. Yeah, he got into a little trouble. He’s loves football and he plays hard.”
Poreda got some impromptu duties in the Western Mass. Class B championship game against Easthampton. Poreda had eight carries for 73 yards and 12-yard touchdown in the win over the Eagles. Poreda hit the gym and the protein rich foods hard in the offseason.
“I bulked up about 20 pounds since last year,” Poreda said. “I was in the weight room all summer. I ate a lot of food. That’s what I had to do. A lot of meats. Chickens. Steaks. Carbs. Hitting the gym consistently. “
Poreda should see a lot of the carries on offense and plays strong safety on defense.
“It’s going to help me on both sides of the ball with physicality,” Poreda said. “Last year I was a more elusive, shifty back. This year I am going to be more of a power back.”
The Redhawks’ double wing boasts some strong returners along the offensive line. Ezra Rich, Joey Hutkoski and Max Hunter all return from last year’s unit. Rich is the right guard, Hutkoski played left tackle and Hunter figures to return to right tackle. Rich also plays defensive end on defense.
“It’s going to be nice,” Rich said. “There’s going to be a lot of chemistry. I don’t think it’s going to be that much different or that hard to rebuild. We are going to be a really tight group. That’s going to help us.”
Elsewhere on the roster is tight end and defensive end Levi Pickert. The senior plays a big role in the running game offense with his blocking. Pickert also provides a nice pass rush off the edge for the Redhawks.
Landon Lavallee will play some tight end and linebacker for the Redhawks. Ty Skroski brings speed and hands to wide receiver and the secondary.
