By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Patrick Youel, 17th year, 85-79 career record.
• Coaching Staff: Mike Stiles, Rick Reynolds, Mike Richeson, Shawn Muldowney, Chace Fisher, Costa Bryan, Joe Godec, Scott Garrett, Zeddie Pollock, Matt Dillon, Kirk Marsh.
• 2025 Record: 3-7.
• Returning Lettermen (22): Nathanael Rivera, Lucas Willett, Aidan McCann, Tristan Finch, Daniel Clint, Nate Muccino, Tyler Shaw, Alaunte Massrock, Sundarius Davis, Josh Donovan, Landon Gump, Liam McCann, Jordan Mulhollen, Connor Buchkoski, Ethan Fox, Seth Besaw, Micah Craver, Lucas Hixon, Joe Jares, Vincer John Kelly, Drake Longgood, Matt Neer.
• Lettermen Lost (9): Peyton Donovan, Maverick Wood, Joe Sharish, Landon Dustin, Devon Channell, Xander Messina, Aaron Manion, Abdallah Alrawahneh, Travis Amicarelli.

THE OFFENSE

The Pirates will run out of the Single Wing and are led by a collection of returning starters on the offensive line, which should help the team hit the ground running.

“That experience will be huge for us,” veteran coach Patrick Youel said. “We have multiple skill players that we want to get the ball to. Balance will be key for us.”

QUARTERBACKS

Juniors Tyler Shaw and Alaunte Massrock “will be counted on for their on-the-field abilities, but also their off-the-field leadership,” according to Youel.

Both players are three-year starters for the Pirates.

“They have good speed and athletic ability. We look to get the ball to them as much as possible.”

Massrock was second on the team last year with 389 yards rushing.

Lucas Hixon is also on the depth chart for the Pirates.

“We expect Lucas to take the next step in development as a sophomore.”

RUNNING BACKS

With the use of the Single Wing, the quarterbacks will all have an opportunity to be primary ball-carriers, but the Pirates will also use Bruce Nelson and Lucas Willett out of the backfield.

“Bruce returns to us and will be a key part of our team,” Youel said.

OFFENSIVE LINE

A large group of returning contributors makes this a strong point for the Pirates.

Daniel Clint, Nate Muccino, Seth Besaw, Matt Neer, Liam McCann, Connor Buchkoski, Ethan Fox, Wyatt Day, Aidain Campbell, Jordan Mulhollen and Joe Jares are all part of the group that has Youel excited for what they can give to the offense.

“We return seven players who started games for us led by seniors Daniel Clint, Aidan McCann, Nate Muccino and Lucas Willett,” Youel said. “All four are three-year starters for us and have played a lot of football. They are tough young men and great kids.”

Youel pointed to Fox and McCann as players who have the potential to have a breakout years.

RECEIVERS

The Pirates had some success through the air last year for a team focused on a Single Wing approach. However, both of the team’s top receivers have graduated in Maverick Wood (356 yards) and Peyton Donovan (322 yards).

Nathanael Rivera has the abilities to step in to fill the void quickly, though.

“Nathanael will be a four-year letter winner for us and three-year starter,” Youel said. “He has incredible hands and will be key for us on both sides of the ball.”

Other options through the passing game are Aidan McCann, Drake Longgood, Josh Donovan and Vincer Kelly.

“Drake and Josh have the opportunity to have breakout years for us,” Youel said.

THE DEFENSE

The team will look to disrupt and confuse opposing offenses with a Multiple 40.

“We want to be aggressive, but we have to improve on limiting big plays and tackling is critical for us to improve on,” Youel said.

LINEBACKERS

The group will be filled out by Landon Gump, Scott Fields, Hixon, Shaw, Nelson, Jared and Day.

Nelson will be the starting Mike to help lead a group that Youel wants to swarm to create plays.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Similar to the offensive side of the ball, the defensive line will be a point of strength for the Pirates. Based on the experience and skill level, the line will have the opportunity to disrupt offensive lines and create havoc in the backfield.

In addition to the group that also helps fill out the offensive line, others in the mix are Zander Frietag-Huffman and Saben Brown.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Returning starters Rivera, Massrock and Davis are key players in the secondary, alongside Longgood, Micah Craver, Landon Youel and Chase Neely.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Tristan Finch returns to the team as the starting place-kicker.

“He has a huge leg, and we hope he will be a difference maker for us on special teams,” Youel said.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Logan Blankenship, Brayson Brown, Aidain Campbell, Wyatt Day, Lucas Hixon, Joe James, Vincer Kelly, Drake Longgood, Chase Neely, Matt Neer, Landon Youel.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“There are always a ton of things to be concerned with as a program, but for us, we want to focus daily on us. We have to continue to improve and focus on ourselves, and as always at a school our size, we have to stay healthy.”