WOODSTOCK — The first kickoffs of the Twin States high school football seasons are just days away, and many teams across the Upper Valley are gearing up to take to the gridiron with championship aspirations.
One of those squads is the Woodstock Union High Wasps. The Wasps, who did not have a blemish on their record last year, are seeking their second straight Division II state title.
During preseason practice, Wasps’ head coach Ramsey Worrell said that the team’s coachability has stood out.
“This is a really high character group of kids, and they seem to play well together and work hard for each other,” Worrell said. “Their effort to be coachable and to try to further their football IQ and really listen and try and understand has been as good as I’ve had in a long time.”
Quarterback Aksel Oates and fullback and linebacker Riley O’Neal both had a strong camp, Worrell said, and the returning seniors were working hard thus far.
This iteration of the Wasps is largely a mix of seniors and sophomores, Worrell said.
“We’re going to have a lot of sophomores playing football this year, and I’ve been pleased with all of them,” he added.
Cole Little, a strong safety and running back, is among the sophomores having a successful preseason.
“I could go on for hours about guys that I like and who are having good camps,” Worrell said.
Worrell acknowledged that the youthful portion of his roster will have a learning curve.
“Last year’s team, we had a lot of seniors and juniors, so we had a lot of experience,” Worrell said.
Even if the team can’t replicate last season’s success, Worrell said the goal is always playing to the Woodstock football standard.
“Woodstock football has a long history of playing quality football, whether you win or don’t is irrelevant,” Worrell said. “It’s how do you play the game, and typically if you play the game the right way, then you have success.”
The Wasps will begin their title defense on Friday when they host U-32.
Mascoma
Woodstock is not the only team in the Upper Valley going for a repeat.
The Mascoma Valley Regional High Royals, winners of the NHIAA D-IV title last season, also aim to pick up where they left off.
“There was no shaking off the rust period this year,” said head coach John Daley, regarding his team’s preparations in the preseason. “It felt like we didn’t have an offseason; everyone came in still understanding what the goal was, understanding what they had to do.”
Daley acknowledged that his team had been so prepared early on that he had to adjust his preseason plans.
Coming off a championship, the themes Daley preaches to his squad remain unchanged.
“We go out every week looking to have fun,” he said. “If they’re not enjoying themselves at practice or at games, then it doesn’t really have much of a point anymore.”
However, Daley said he is stressing to his team that they cannot be complacent, since every team that faces the defending champs will be giving them their best shot.
“We hope we see the best of every team every Saturday,” Daley said, adding that his team is scrimmaging out of division in the preseason to play even better teams and to help improve. “We’re definitely looking forward to steep competition every week this year.”
The Royals begin step one of their title defense Sept. 12 at Raymond.
Hartford
The Hartford High Hurricanes, coming off a season that ended in the semifinals of the VPA D-I tournament, will return a solid core of players with experience from last year.
Among the impactful players returning, head coach Matthew Trombly mentioned Rex Baning, Noah Danieli, Adam Wheatley, Richard Rosenbeck and Otis Davis.
Early in the preseason, Trombly indicated that the Hurricanes are in the process of developing their identity.
“We’re still trying to find our groove and find out really what our identity is going to be with that senior class leaving last year and people determining what their roles are going to be,” said Trombly.
One of the key factors for the Hurricanes to have a successful season is maintaining good health. “A couple of injuries is really devastating to us,” Trombly said. “It’s just a really big drop off between our kids who are ready to play and our kids who are still developing and kind of getting used to everything.”
Hartford opens their season on the road at Fair Haven on Friday.
Stevens
The Stevens High Cardinals, who had their season ended last fall in the quarterfinals of the NHIAA D-III tournament, enter 2025 with a junior-heavy squad.
A major strength for the Cardinals, which has been apparent from the start of the preseason, is speed. “We have some decent skill players,” head coach Josh Duford said. “You can’t teach speed.”
While Duford indicated that his team’s speed stands out, it is also a tight-knit group. “I’ve liked what I’ve seen in terms of the team’s cohesiveness so far,” he said.
This season, it will be a group effort to replace the center of the defense, as the Cardinals have lost standout linebacker Zach Richardson to graduation. The Cardinals will also look to be more balanced on offense.
While health will also be a factor in the Cardinals’ success, given their limited depth, Duford also wants physicality on defense. “If we are a physical team, I think we can be pretty competitive this year,” Duford said. “That’s the part that I want to see us step up and thrive in.”
The Cardinals open their 2025 campaign Friday on the road against Fall Mountain.
Hanover
Hanover High boys soccer is not the only team at the school with a new face running the place, as Jonathan Gentine steps in as head coach of the Bears.
Gentine, who had been an assistant for the Bears, replaces Sam Cavallaro. As he begins his new position, the new head coach has been impressed with his team’s determination.
“Their determination to get better every single practice has been really impressive,” Gentine said.
The Bears’ most significant point of emphasis has been the details. “Details matter; all of the little things that go into the game of football that make a great football player and a great team,” Gentine said.
The “little things,” such as technique, how the team approaches the line of scrimmage, managing the huddle, and special teams, are all areas of focus. “It sounds a little cliché, but literally everything matters.”
As the Bears prepare for the 2025 season, Gentine gave credit to his predecessor for laying the foundation. “I’m just trying to build on that,” he said.
The Bears open on the road against Trinity on Friday.