Pembroke High football team hopes busy offseason pays off this season
PEMBROKE − Last year, when the Pembroke High football team had its season ended by a fourth-quarter drive from Foxboro in the first round of the playoffs, the Titans were disheartened, but hopeful.
The playoff appearance snapped a 10-year dry spell for Pembroke. So when the Titans failed to pull off the upset, head coach Steve Aborn and his team went right back to work.
“Losing is never good, but I think it was a confidence-builder to set the momentum,” said Aborn. "… I think the whole thing rolled into the offseason nicely, and we had a great offseason.”
Aborn is heading into his fourth year at Pembroke (7-16 overall record), and he’s already made strides. This offseason, he held a combine at the school where Div. I and III college coaches got to see his players' talents.
On Thursday, his team hit the field straight from the weight room for another day of training camp. The most noticeable difference from last year is the Titans' size. Seniors such as captains Patrick Norman (6-5, 270 pounds) and 6-4 Will McNamara are just a taste of the height and power Pembroke possesses.
“We’re a very different football team than we were last year,” said Aborn. “We’re much more physical, much stronger. That should translate into a good season.”
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Along with their size being a surprising factor, the Titans will have a string of new faces, including junior quarterback Owen Pace. Last year, he wasn’t in a Titans jersey at all; now he’s got the starting job.
“(He) didn’t play last year, has really done a great job in the offseason,” Aborn said of Pace. “He was in the weight room, really worked hard, and was dedicated to being the best football payer he can be.”
Senior Caleb Jones missed last year due to a back injury, but the 6-1 lineman already has varsity experience. Junior Jayden Leonard (also 6-1) missed last season with a hip injury but is expected to make a big impact with his speed.
If it’s not the added upperclassmen with varsity experience, the Titans' speed and size may take teams by surprise. The Patriot League Fisher Division is tough, but the Titans appear more well-rounded than ever.
“We’re just getting the start of it," Norman said. "I think we’re going to have everything."
The no-huddle
The height and size of Pembroke will be the first thing teams notice when they stare across the field. Sophomore Nick McCarthy is a 6-2, 225-pound center/D-lineman. Norman, who’s gotten the attention of college coaches, will lead the O-line. Captain Cole Griffin (6-1, 260) is a returning starter on the line as well. Senior captain Hunter Burke will also play a leadership role.
At the skill positions, senior captain Will Johnson is a three-year starter who plays tough at the running back position. Pace will get his start at quarterback, and Jones spoke highly of him. McNamara will be the No. 1 option at the wide receiver position. Senior Brendan Kanya also will play running back and defensive back.
2022 recap
The Titans finished the regular season with a 3-5 record and made the Div. 4 playoffs as a No. 11 seed. They lost to Foxboro in the first round, 24-21, on a late drive. Pembroke rarely struggled to put points on the board, but their lack of size hurt them on defense.
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Three names to know
Will McNamara, WR/DB: When asked for potential 2023 stars, seniors picked McNamara to add to what was an impressive junior season. Last fall he caught 31 passes for over 700 yards and 7 TDs. His size and ability to catch over defenders makes him tough to cover.
Cole Griffin, OL/DL: Aborn expects him to be "one of the best players in the league.” The senior has the size, experience and motor to make big-time plays.
Will Johnson, RB/LB: Johnson expressed at the combine this summer that he added speed and strength to his game. He’s got good size and breakaway speed.
They said it
Brendan Kanya on the expectations: “(We have) high expectations this season. Last year we had our mistakes, but we’re going to figure it out, get better from there and work on what we need to fix.”
Aborn on the faith he has in his team this year: “I’ve coached for 40 years and last year might’ve been as much fun as I ever had coaching. Pembroke kids are great. They worked hard at it, they worked in the offseason, they worked for three years, so I do have faith in them. I see just physically the difference in them.”
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Pembroke’s 2023 schedule
Friday, Sept. 8 − vs. Whitman-Hanson, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15 − vs. Austin Prep, 7
Thursday, Sept. 21 − vs. Plymouth North, 7
Friday, Sept. 29 − at Scituate, 7
Saturday, Oct. 7 − at Quincy, 6
Friday, Oct. 13 − vs. North Quincy, 7
Friday, Oct. 20 − at Hanover, 7
Friday, Oct. 27 − vs. Plymouth South, 7
Thursday, Nov. 23 − at Silver Lake, 10 a.m.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Pembroke High football team's 2023 season preview
