Somerset Berkley football looks to compete for league title
SOMERSET — Do not assume that the graduation of all of the team's league and Herald News All-Stars — including two 1000-yard rushers — has left the Somerset Berkley Regional football team in some woe-is-me rebuilding mode for 2023.
“I think we've got the ability to be better than we were last year,” coach Nick Freitas said after a recent Wednesday morning practice. “We got into the playoffs first round; we're hoping we can do a little better than that. We're hoping we can contend for the SCC championship, a big goal of ours. So far, everything's been going pretty well.”
A quick history lesson reveals the Raiders last year were 6-4 overall, taking third place (3-2) in SCC Large, and that, as heavy underdogs, they lost to Walpole in the first round of the playoffs, a game in which a stellar first half left them tied 14-14 at intermission. Their biggest struggle in 2022 was trying to defend the running game against their stronger opponents. Walpole scored on its first seven possessions in winning 42-14.
Last year's seniors were a tight-knit crew and manned many of the starting positions, but Freitas did not hesitate to rotate many non-seniors in. And the 2022 freshmen team was undefeated.
“We have a lot of seniors who have varsity experience,” he said. “They may not necessarily have been starters last year but kids who played a lot. That makes the transition a lot easier. Day 1, most of these guys know what they're doing.
“Then we have a pretty strong sophomore class is hopefully going to push the seniors to realize that if the seniors aren't getting the job done, some of these sophomores are going to play.”
Compared to last year's team, Freitas speculated that this version of the Raiders may feature more athletic ability “in certain positions.” Offseason strength building was taken quite seriously. Freitas said that 30 players routinely attended the 7:30 a.m. summer weightlifting sessions.
“We've got a bunch of kids in the thousand-pound club,” Freitas said. “We've got all the pieces. We've just got to make the puzzle.”
More: Fall River-area high school football offensive players to watch in 2023
Five players to watch
Nathan Megna, senior
An offensive guard and defensive lineman, Megna doesn't stick out due to his size but his strength and quickness will make opposing linemen wish they were lied up against someone else. “He's a playmaker,” Freitas said.
Nate Poirier, senior
Being hit by Poirier should be low on any foe's wish list. At 5-9, 235 pounds, he was tight end/defensive linemen a year ago. This year, he's playing linebacker and fullback. “Very tough kid,” Freitas said.
Jackson Aguiar, senior
Though anchored in the middle of the line, SBR's returning center will be tough to miss. He's 6-1 and 300 pounds and knows how to put that to very good use. “Big, physical, disciplined,” Freitas said. “He knows his place and what to do.”
More: Find all of our preseason coverage for Fall River-area football to get you ready for 2023
Sam Grew, senior
Dont be surprised to see Grew emerge as one of the premier running backs in the region while also being a growing concern on defense. He's fast and tough and strong and got a lot of quality playing time a year ago.
Austin DeSouto, senior
A returning starter, DeSouto, a defensive back, can come up fast against the run and knows his stuff when it comes to defending the pass. He came up with clutch plays a year ago.
The new quarterback
Derek Baliko succeeds the graduated Owen Meehan, a two-year starter, as Raider quarterback and ringmaster of SBR's trademark double-wing offense. The backup a year ago, Baliko knows the system. He's quick and can throw on the run.
“He's very confident.” Freitas said. “He asks questions when he need to ask questions. He makes sure he gets the play in right. He's doing everything we can ask of him.”
Junior Brendan McDonald, off a fine junior varsity season, is the backup QB and Freitas said he has confidence in him as well.
Running backs
The Raiders can attack in numbers, huge numbers, from the backfield. Last year, speedy Davis Sullivan and Wyatt Figueiredo both rushed for 1,000-plus yards, but Freitas did not hesitate to call Sam Grew's number and the tough senior should be looking at a significant workload this season.
Freitas was also quick to name Ethan Santos, Jimmy Phoenix, Zach King, Drew Dionne and David Perry.
Thanksgiving Game, sort of
With Joseph Case High having chosen to end the traditional Thanksgiving game with SBR, the Raiders have moved on and will host Central High of Providence this year, on Thanksgiving Eve.
“I'm very happy about this new game we got,” said senior Nathan Megna. “I was really bummed that we didn't have a game, but now that we do, I'm really excited. It's not Thanksgiving, but it could be worse. We could have no game at all, so there's definitely an improvement.”
They said it
“I think we can expect a lot of wins this year. We have a lot of talent, a lot of depth. All our running backs look good, line, everything.” – SAM GREW, senior
“I'm really looking forward to every Friday night, winning and just trying to get to playoffs, especially against Durfee. I'm really excited to play them.” – DEREK BALIKO, senior
“I think we can expect a really hard-working team, a team that really has a lot of chemistry with each other and just wants to win. A team that just really wants to get out there, hit people, and work hard.” – NATHAN MEGNA, senior
“Pretty much you've got to win out in the league to win the conference.” – FREITAS on The South Coast Conference
SBR 2023 schedule
Sept. 8, at Cumberland High School, 7 p.m
Sept. 15, at Stoughton High School, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22, Durfee High School, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, Dighton-Rehoboth, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 6, Apponequet Regional, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Greater New Bedford, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Old Rochester Regional, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 22, Central High School, 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset Berkley football team's 2023 season preview
