Youthful Experience at Core of FHS Football Team

A glance at the statistics amassed by the 2010 Farmington High football team – the first winning team on the hill in six seasons – suggests that 2011 will be a rebuilding year.

Senior running back Jourdan Parkinson made 62 percent of the carries and scored nearly 70 percent of the rushing touchdowns as the Indians posted a 6-4 season in head coach Chris Machol’s second year.

Quarterback Colan Callahan did virtually all the passing that accounted for just south of 100 yards per game. He’s graduated, too.

But the Indians have talent, and although much of it is either young or untested at the varsity level, Machol sees Farmington competing well in the overhauled CCC that now spreads its 32 schools over six divisions instead of four.

How can Machol be so bold with the likes of highly regarded Windsor, revitalized Middletown, the two Bristol schools and a Maloney squad that went 8-2 last year on the docket? Machol sees the pride, he senses the confidence and as a result he feels respect in town growing.

“Other teachers tell me in the hallways,” said Machol, a phys-ed instructor. “The kids want to wear their Farmington gear wherever they go. They want people to know they’re part of this team.”

Another noteworthy indication is demonstrated by receiver Max Spracklin. Spracklin is a starting guard on the basketball team and played a key role on the baseball team that went to a Class L final. He didn’t play football as an underclassman, but as a senior, he’s joined the family.

“He’s one of two first-year seniors and it’s good to see,” Machol said. “You’d like to have guys play four years but it’s nice to have athletic seniors join us.”

At quarterback, Jeremy Buck will start and Brian Logan will back him up after an offseason vying for the position.

“We made the decision and told Jeremy and Brian Wednesday but we split the series [Saturday] in the scrimmage against Torrington,” Machol said. “They both know they need to be ready every game. Whoever doesn’t play the bulk of the varsity game will play with the junior varsity on Monday.”

Machol, who likes to use his quarterbacks to run the ball as a second option in the shotgun spread he runs, said Buck is the better runner and has been more consistent with his throws while Logan makes better decisions and knows the offense better.

“They know they’re competing every week and could be used in any game,” Machol said.

Ivan Guadalupe, compellingly athletic and quite confident for a sophomore, will be the Indians’ feature back.

“We can’t give [Guadalupe] the ball 30 times a game like we did with Parkinson but I would say he’ll get [more than 50 percent] of the carries,” Machol said. “The nice thing about Ivan is he is one of few sophomores with experience. He has great vision, sees the holes and makes the cuts.”

Adam Buono and Colin Grattan are also expected to carry the ball. Grattan had his varsity indoctrination as a freshman with special teams last year.

Farmington has the makings of strong lines on both sides of the ball.

Senior captain Mike English lines up at tight end, where he was All-CCC last year. Defensive end Branden Marquis’ performance in the offseason weightlifting drills shows he’s ready to use his 5-foot-10, 260-pound frame to the Indians’ advantage as an offensive guard and nose tackle in the 3-4 defense.

Anthony Greiner, the other guard, is a determined senior captain. Center Matt LeBlanc is also a senior with dynamic leadership capabilities. Jo Fillian and Thomas Stevens are the tackles and will rotate on defense at end.

Last year’s linebacking core returns intact with captain Sean Fern, Mitch Berlandy, Devin Jones and Buono.

“Fern is the general,” Machol said. “He’s started since the second game of his sophomore year.”

The secondary features Guadalupe at strong safety, Mike Landry at free safety, Kenny Jones and all-CCC returnee Kevin Bittner at cornerback. Although Guadalupe, Landry and Jones lack varsity experience, Machol said they are up to the task because they are “physical and instinctive.”

Steven Davids is expected to handle most of the placekicking and Tyler Chaia the punting.

The Indians have a home scrimmage Wednesday against East Catholic before starting the regular season in Storrs Sept. 17 against E.O. Smith.

FARMINGTON

Coach: Chris Machol (3rd year, 9-11)

2010 Record: 6-4 (3-4 CCC Div II)

New Division (Teams): CCC Div. II West (Windsor, Bristol Eastern, Maloney, Middletown, Bristol Central)

Key Losses: Patrick Wollenberg, Mitchell Lewis, Colan Callahan, Eric Meier, Brandon Paolillo, Jourdan Parkinson, Reid Russell, Marcus Biggins

2011 Lineup: Mike English (6-4, 210, sr. capt., TE/DE), Sean Fern (5-11, 185, sr. capt., FB/LB), Anthony Greiner (5-10, 205, sr. capt., G), Matt LeBlanc (5-9, 185, sr., C), Ivan Guadalupe (5-11, 180, so., RB/SS/KR), Brenden Marquis (5-10, 260, jr., G/NT), Thomas Stevens (5-10, 205, jr., T/DE), Mitchell Berlandy (5-10, 180, jr., ILB/FB), Kevin Bittner (5-11, 160, sr., CB), Jeremy Buck (so., QB), Devin Jones (sr., OLB), Jo Fillian (6-1, 190, jr., RT/DE), Colin Grattan (so., OLB/RB), Kenny Jones (so., CB/WR/PR), Michael Landini (sr., WR), Mike Landry (so., FS), Brian Logan (jr., QB), Max Spracklin (sr., WR/CB), Steven Davids (jr., DB/K), Robert Turnbull (sr., WR), Michael Berlandy (jr., T/DE), Adam Buono (sr., RB/OLB), Jo Butler (jr., C), Tyler Chaia (jr., P), Will Galske (sr., S), Kevin Garger (sr., OLB), Jack Kitching (sr., DE), Vignesh Kumar (jr., G), Zakey Mohamud (sr., NG)

Of Note: Last year was 1st winning season in 6 years … Last made the playoffs in 1999, beating Holy Cross in ‘L’ semifinal before losing to Fitch … Senior LB/FB Will Yankus is out until late in the season with a hamstring injury … Lewis is kicking for Worcester Polytechnic (WPI) … Parkinson and Biggins are on the roster at Western New England College along with former FHS players Jake Butler and Alex Wolf … Wollenberg is playing at St. Anselm’s …