Confident Pats eyeing playoff berth

Matt Metcalf
Posted 9/3/15

After a streak of nine consecutive losing seasons in Division II, Pilgrim football dropped down to Division III last season, ending that streak and finishing with a 4-4 record in league play.

And …

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Confident Pats eyeing playoff berth

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After a streak of nine consecutive losing seasons in Division II, Pilgrim football dropped down to Division III last season, ending that streak and finishing with a 4-4 record in league play.

And now that the Pats have encountered a taste of success – posting their best record since the 2004 season – they’re ready to take an additional step forward and hopefully lock up a playoff spot in 2015.

There’s definitely some optimism and confidence within the program as the opening weeks of the season approach.

“We’re ahead of where we were last year,” Pilgrim head coach Tom O’Connor said. “The second year in the same system has helped the kids out a lot. We still have the talented running back, and we’re building pieces around him. We’re looking for the playoffs. Getting close won’t cut it this year.”

That talented running back is senior Owen Kelly.

Kelly, an All-Division selection in 2014, didn’t encounter a defense that could stop him last season.

And he’ll be expected to torch opposing defenses once again this season as the Pats’ workhorse out of the backfield.

“He’s quick and he has great vision,” O’Connor said of his feature back. “I think he’s the best running back in the division, and would maybe be up there for Division II as well.”

At quarterback, Pilgrim will move forward without the services of Rob Quaine, who graduated in the spring, leaving some uncertainty as to who will step up and take on that roll.

Competing for that spot right now are senior David McMullen and junior James McKay.

McMullen led the team in receiving yards last season as Quaine’s favorite target, but O’Connor noted that he can bring some versatility to the offense with the option.

McKay, on the other hand, has more experience at the position, filling in for Quaine quite a few times last fall as the senior’s backup.

“They’re still battling it out,” O’Connor said. “We’ll see how that ends up. I think the Injury Fund games could decide the leader.”

Senior linebacker Darren Grant will anchor Pilgrim’s defense, as he’ll look to put the finishing touches on an already impressive career in a Pats’ uniform.

“He’s a beast,” O’Connor said of Grant. “He’s even bigger, stronger and faster than he was last year. He always steps up, both offensively and defensively.”

O’Connor believes that Devon Maxwel can make an impact at outside linebacker, as well. The key for him will be staying healthy, as he’s coming off of an injury.

In terms of the landscape of the league, Middletown, the defending Division III champion, and East Greenwich, which lost to the Islanders in the Super Bowl, should both be strong once again.

East Greenwich will return its quarterback, Nick Andreozzi, for his senior year. Andreozzi threw 22 touchdown passes in 2014, with a completion percentage of 67.1.

The Pats know that there are some strong teams out there, but they have their sights set on a top-four finish.

“I’m hoping to get in the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “The plan and the goal is to be in that top four. I think EG is the favorite going in. They have [Andreozzi] back who’s just a stud. But last year we were getting better every game by leaps and bounds. If that holds true, we can make a run at it.”

The recent success within the program has sparked some interest around the school, as O’Connor noted that he has 20 more players than he did a season ago, including a freshman team that has a roster of 40.

“Nobody’s quit, everyone’s sticking with it,” O’Connor said. “The freshman program is talented and big. If we start keeping those numbers, we can definitely compete.”

O’Connor and the Pats’ varsity squad will be in action tonight, when they suit up for an Injury Fund round robin with Toll Gate and Warwick Vets.

Pilgrim will take on Toll Gate at 6 p.m. and Vets at 7:30 p.m.

In terms of the regular season, the Pats will have a prime opportunity to build some confidence and momentum early, as they’ll start their league slate with two home games – Sept. 25 against Lincoln and Oct. 2 against Classical.

The hopes are high, and justifiably so, for Pilgrim this season. It’s certainly trending in the right direction.

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