Sports preview
With classes beginning this week for most area students, high school sports teams will get underway as well. This week, we preview the coming season for boys soccer and next week we will turn to girls soccer, track and field and football.
Woodsville High School
New Hampshire Class S
Coach: Mike Ackerman–31 Years
Last Year: 18-1
Returning—Seniors Trevor Bullard, Steve Cataldo, Mark Corey, Adam Klebes, Zach Maerder, AJ Serer, Adam Wilson, and John Winot; Juniors Anthony Mazzilli, and Logan Roystan; and Sophomores Chris Norcross and Peter Wright.
New—Sophomore Francis Roy; and Freshmen Cayman Belyea, Jeremy Benjamin, Mike Benson, Kyle Bigelow, Taylor Chase, Chris Colbeth, Dylan Frazer, Billy Hirschman, Reed Maerder, Ryan Olney, Tyler Reney, Marc Tetreault, and David Wright.
Outlook—Woodsville is coming off a season where they didn’t lose a game until the semifinals. The Engineers lost eight players to graduation, including two of their biggest goal scorers. They have 12 returnees who will have to combine with 14 newcomers to try to capture some of last year’s magic. As always, Woodsville’s goal is to win the state championship.
The Word—Young. The Engineers are a young, inexperienced team. The 14 underclassmen will have to get some quick on the job training if Woodsville is going repeat last year’s success.
Blue Mountain Union High School
Vermont Division IV
Coach: David O’Donnell-Leach–4 Years
Last Year: 14-2
Returning—Cody Thompson, C J Smith, Ryan Rowden, Mike Johns, Joe Desroches, T C Elliot, Nick Fortunati, Patrick Hart, Jesse Jaynes, and Charles Jobin.
New–Gedeon Deroche, Jamie Eastman, Brandon Flood, Cody Kalwins, Brian Page, Cole Sanborn, Wilfredo Tejada.
Outlook—The Bucks made it to the semifinals last year and are looking to go even further this year. They have most of the major players back from last year’s team and have filled a few holes with new players. Blue Mountain is solid on both offense and defense with stellar goal keeping. That should be a recipe for a successful season.
The Word—Blue-collar. Blue Mountain is very much a blue-collar team. They work hard every day at all aspects of the game.
Oxbow High School
Vermont Division III (First year in D3)
Capital League
Coach: Matt Taylor–4 Years
Last Year: 2-12
Returning—Seniors Jordan Kidder, Keith Williams, Drew Jones, and Pat Dowd; Juniors Dusty Carter and Derek Foley.
New—Juniors Roger Jackson, Josh McKay; Sophomores Drazen Smith, Justin Fagnant, Skyler Enger, Mike Eaton, Cortland Hanley, Jeremy Belknap; and Freshman Ben Yelle.

Outlook—Playing in the tough Capital League is going to be a challenge for this young and inexperienced team, but if their effort is rewarded, the Olympians will have a good year. Their lack of experience can be overcome by the fact that they have sixteen guys who want to play. This small, well conditioned team could make some noise early in the year and develop into a playoff contender.
The Word—Positive. The Olympians have a positive attitude going into the season. They’re ready to pick each other up and do whatever it takes to win games.
Rivendell Academy
Vermont Division III
Central Vermont League
Coach: Bob Thatcher–36 Years
Last Year: 6-7-1
Returning—Seniors Joe Amanatidis, Jon Cook, Josh Lewis, Jack Murphy, Adrian Pike, and Casey Washburn; Juniors Josh LeBlanc, Evan Madden, Tyler Perry, Jesse Oakes, and Tyler Wood; and Sophomores Tyler Farnham and Mark Frazee.
New—Junior Cody Thurston; Sophomores Cody Kendall, Will Tifft and Robert Valenti; Freshman Aaron Hubbard.
Outlook—Rivendell looks to turn a balanced offense and defense into a winning season. The seniors will have to step on defense to make up for the loss of four solid defenders from last year’s team. Overall the Raptors outscored their opponents by 15 goals last year and they finished the second half at a 4-2-1 mark. Staying healthy early will be a key to a successful season.
The Word—As One. This has become a creed for the Raptors. They need to work as a team to win and this year’s squad looks prepared to do just that.
Thetford Academy
Vermont Division III
Central Vermont League
Coach: Simon Mayo – 9 Years
Last Year: 15-2-1
Returning—Seniors Jordan Bach-Lombardo, Ian Cleaves, Christos Nanonopolous, Mike Mann, Mike Reeves, Jonas Cole, and Will Wickham; Juniors Joel Harris and Jay Wilson.
New—Senior Seb McMahon; Juniors Jason Gray, Sean Thurston, J.B. Snelling, Andy Harhen, Mike Diamond, Rigel Garrison-Botsford, Ian Andersen; and Sophomores Sam Williams, Evan Mullen. Freshmen Bradley Perry, Jacob Osborne.
Outlook—Thetford is losing 10 players from a team that made it all the way to the state finals last year, but they should remain in contention for the playoffs. They’ll maintain strength up the middle and will feature speed up front. The Panthers will be looking for leadership from their returning players as they replace their entire back four and goalkeeper.
The Word—Confidence. Last year’s trip to the finals has given the Panthers confidence and experience.
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