The Pilgrim football team got back to work this week as it is preparing for the 2022 fall season.

After a down 2021 spring season, the Pats would rebound in the fall and finish with a 6-3 overall record and reach the Division III Semifinals. Now, the Pats will turn to some new and familiar faces to carry the load, including at the quarterback position.

Returners Chace Roberts and Carter Clifton will be battling for the starting quarterback gig, and right now, it’s anyone’s to take. Roberts was the team’s backup last season, but is working his way back to form after an E. coli illness this summer.

“Carter has been working his butt off and Chace unfortunately had that situation. But there’s plenty of time for them to battle and for us to figure out who is going to step into that role,” said head coach Blake Simpson.

Another key returner will be senior Alex Pinheiro, who emerged as one of Pilgrim’s top playmakers down the stretch last season. Simpson and the staff hope to expand his role as he was primarily a special teams contributor last year.

“When you look at some of the teams in the NFL over the past few years, they move those speedy scat backs and slot receivers into roles where they can get the ball to them in space. That is what we want to do with Alex in our offense,” Simpson said.

Last year’s bell cow running back Danny Halliwell also graduated. John Kelly and Matt Santos are likely candidates to replace that production.

The Pats will also lean heavily on their linemen, as the majority will be seniors. Pilgrim returns four of its offensive linemen from last year and will be shifting Isaiah Price to tight end. Kenny Irizarry, Ray Facente, Luke Corcoran, and Evan Kaya are set to fill out the roster up front.

Although Pilgrim was happy to return to the postseason, it left 2021 bitter after dropping the semifinal matchup against Chariho and then the Thanksgiving game to Johnston. Pilgrim was considered the favorite in each matchup, which has motivated the returning players and coaches to hit the ground running and make another deep run.

“The kids are excited. They’ve been excited all summer long, coming to the weight room. They’re hungry. With the way our season ended last year, it put a bad taste in our mouths. The coaching staff, players, everyone that was involved with the program,” Simpson said. “To have such a great year then lose in the semifinals and on Thanksgiving, that is what has fueled a lot of these upperclassmen and has gotten them excited for this season. We want to have a good season but not run out of fuel as well.”

The Pats will take on Barrington on Sept. 1 in the Injury Fund exhibition then kick off its regular season with a non-league matchup against East Providence on the road. Pilgrim’s first home game is slated against West Warwick on Sept. 23.