These nine local football stars are set to shine for area colleges
The college football season is set to kick off for local schools, and there are several area talents dotting their rosters. Here's a look at some players to watch this season:
Ahmad Traoui, Anna Maria
Senior, Offensive lineman
Worcester/Tahanto Regional
In 2021, Traoui, who was a two-way player at West Boylston, transferred to Anna Maria from Worcester State as a defensive lineman.
After the COVID year, though, the AmCats were down a couple of offensive linemen, so they switched Traoui to that side of the ball. He made his debut as a backup in AMC’s Homecoming win over Alfred State, and two games later, entered the starting lineup.
“Since that day,” Anna Maria coach Steve Croce said, “he has never left.”
The 6-foot-2, 292-pound Traoui will line up at right guard for the AmCats in 2023. Last season, he helped AMC average close to 33 points per game and a 5-4 record.
“He is definitely one of the strongest and biggest player on our team,” said Croce, who noted that Traoui has made great strides in the weight room and currently benches over 400 pounds and squats over 500.
Traoui was an honor roll student at Tahanto Regional and a team captain for West Boylston. He earned ECFC All-Academic accolades last fall.
“Those are the kind of kids we want in the program,” Croce said, “kids that do things the right way. When he saw we were losing a couple of guys (on the O-line), he volunteered to move over. He is unselfish, and he is a great teammate.”
Owen Fitzgerald, Assumption
Sophomore, Linebacker
Auburn
Fitzgerald didn’t see any action as a freshman at Assumption, but coach Andy McKenzie said Fitzgerald will be a special teams contributor this fall for the Greyhounds, as they try to make it back-to-back Northeast-10 Conference championships.
“He’ll have limited action to start off with defensively,” McKenzie said, “but he’s really trustworthy, so I imagine he’ll find his way onto the field.”
At Auburn, Fitzgerald played four sports — football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a SWCL track all-star, and in 2021, he earned Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass. Football Division 5 all-star honors, as well as D5 defensive honorable mention from the T&G.
This offseason, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Fitzgerald worked hard in the weight room to improve his speed, agility and strength.
“He is a really tough, versatile linebacker,” McKenzie said. “He can play on the ball or off the ball. He’s super physical and really aggressive. He has a throwback kind of football mentality — he loves to run into people.”
Matt Raeke, Assumption
Freshman, Wide receiver
Holden/Wachusett Regional
During his record-setting senior season at Wachusett, Raeke displayed his athleticism, versatility and strength while catching 49 passes for 745 yards — both single-season program marks — and scoring 11 touchdowns. Led by quarterback Tucker McDonald, the Mountaineers scored a program-record 455 points.
“Coming from Wachusett,” Assumption coach Andy McKenzie said, “their style last year definitely translated well (coming to the college level). Matt was used to being out in space and catching footballs in traffic. He is used to the vertical pass game part of it all. I think he’s prepared mentally for that part of the game.”
McKenzie likes Raeke’s adaptability, and in preseason camp, Raeke has been lining up as an H-back.
“He’ll be spread out and also be in the backfield for us,” McKenzie said. “He’s made some incredible catches for us this preseason, and he’s blocking really well. He’s doing a really good job.”
In the offseason, Assumption asked Raeke, who was a 2022 T&G Super Team selection as a linebacker, to add some weight to his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, and he did. He’s up about 20 pounds.
“I think he’ll start out in special teams role,” McKenzie said, “but he’s growing into a spot pretty quickly.”
Justin Toon, Assumption
Junior, Cornerback
Shrewsbury
Assumption recruited Toon when he was starring at Shrewsbury High, but Toon began his college career at Framingham State, where he played in 17 games over two seasons, made 32 tackles and broke up seven passes.
Toon transferred to Assumption, and he is hoping to help fill some vacancies left in the defensive backfield following the graduation of corners Tre’Sean Bouie, an All-Northeast-10 Conference selection in 2022, and Isaiah Huff, who was also a standout kick returner.
“We always liked Justin as a player and as a person,” Assumption coach Andy McKenzie said. “He is in the mix right now.”
Toon has been working with the ones and the twos in preseason practice.
Ryan Justin, Worcester State
Senior, Defensive lineman
Fitchburg
Justin has been a stalwart on Worcester State’s offensive line since his 2019 freshman season, but this year, the Lancers are moving the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Justin to the defensive line.
“His body type is probably better suited for the defensive line,” Worcester State coach Adam Peloquin said, “and we need some help there going into the season.”
Peloquin said the plan is to move Justin, who played left tackle, around on the D-line, but he’ll see most of his action at end.
Justin was a two-way lineman at Fitchburg High, and he earned T&G Division 4 honorable mention all-star recognition in 2018.
Peloquin said Justin is excited about the position switch.
Justin is a fifth-year player and MASCAC All-Academic honoree, who brings leadership and charisma to the locker room.
“He’s a veteran guy that we can lean on,” Peloquin said. “Even though it’s a new position for him, he’s been through some college football seasons. Other guys will be looking up to him for sure.”
Doug Cain, WPI
Senior, Tight end
Jefferson/Wachusett Regional
Cain played in nine games each of the last two seasons, and he has grown into a productive role in the run game and the pass game.
“We know we have a really good tight end,” WPI coach Chris Robertson said. “For us, that’s a good thing. It’s nice to have a known quantity.”
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Cain was a Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass. Football Division 3 all-star as a senior at Wachusett. In addition to blocking, he caught nine passes for 86 yards last season, and had two touchdown receptions in 2021.
“As a sophomore,” Robertson said, “he was still learning things. He grew into it his junior year, and this year, he’s bigger, stronger and faster than he has been. It has been nice growth for him over the past four years.”
Cain, along with senior wide receiver Noah Herzig of Hubbardston and Quabbin Regional, and senior linebacker Evan Wertz are WPI’s captains this season.
“Doug is great in his leadership role as a captain and voice of the offense,” Robertson said. “He’s one of the best tight ends we’ve had.”
Frankie Polito, WPI
Senior, Linebacker
Shrewsbury/Worcester Academy
As a sophomore in 2021, Polito played in seven games at inside linebacker, but coach Chris Robertson moved Polito outside last year, and he had a breakout season, while exhibiting his versatility.
The 6-foot-1, 260-pound Polito ranked fifth on the team with 49 tackles. He had a sack, forced a fumble, recovered two fumbles and had three pass breakups.
“He’s a big, strong kid that moves really well,” Robertson said. “We blitz him a lot off the edge, he puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and he’s also good in coverage.”
Polito again will be a vital part of the Engineers’ defense.
“He has been one of most vocal leaders on team this preseason,” Robertson said. “He’s making sure guys are constantly doing good things on the field and providing great effort and attention to detail. He’s been an amazing vocal part of the defense for us.”
Cameron Monette, Fitchburg State
Junior, Defensive lineman
Winchendon/Murdock
This offseason, Monette shed a few pounds from his 6-foot-2 frame, he is down from 290, which was his playing weight last year, and he has been one of the standouts in Fitchburg State’s preseason camp.
“He has looked great,” first-year Fitchburg State coach Zach Shaw said. “He’s more explosive to the ball playing defensive end, and he hasn’t lost much strength at all. He is still as physical as ever.”
Monette, who was a Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass. Football Division 5 all-star in 2019 and a T&G Division 5 honorable mention selection in 2020 Fall II, played in every game for the Falcons the last two seasons.
In 2022, he tied for third on the team with 46 tackles, had 1½ sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
“He will be an integral part of what we’re trying to accomplish in our new system,” said Shaw, who came to Fitchburg State from Elmhurst (Ill.) University, where he was the offensive coordinator. “His athletic ability and strength will be a big part of how we get after offenses.”
According to Shaw, Monette is one of the hardest workers in the weight room. He is a MASCAC All-Academic performer who has the highest GPA on the team, and he is active in campus initiatives.
“He’s an all-around person,” Shaw said.
Jack Morvan, Nichols
Junior, Wide receiver
Uxbridge
Morvan, who was a two-sport captain at Uxbridge, did not play football his freshman year at Nichols due to an injury.
Last spring, though, he came back healthy and vying for a role with the Bison.
“We thought, ‘This kid is doing a really nice job,’” Nichols coach Dale Olmsted said. “He had an opportunity to earn a spot in the fall, and he really came on the scene for us.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Morvan played in seven games, and caught 30 passes for 527 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked second on the team in catches and receiving yards, and he tied for first in receiving TDs.
Morvan had a long touchdown grab of 73 yards, and in a win over Coast Guard, he had six receptions for 108 yards and completed a pass for 48 yards.
“He showed surprising speed,” Olmsted said, “and he is one of the stronger kids on the team now. He was a great surprise for us.”
Olmsted said Morvan, who is an excellent student, will be starter for the Bison this season.
“He came on very strong last year,” Olmsted said. “We see him improving on last year’s performance. He will be one of our top receivers.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: These nine local football stars are set to shine for area colleges
