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Central Catholic football preview

2006 record: 8-4, lost EMass Division 1A semifinals

Returning starters (8): Adrien Mendez, Sr., RB/DB 5-8, 185; Shain Jowett, Jr., QB/DB, 6-2, 170; Justin Narbonne, Sr., SE/DB, 6-0, 165; Michael Smith, Sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 168; Mike Leavitt, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 190; Zak Adamopoulos, Jr., C/DE, 6-1, 224; Michael Schlosser, Sr., OT/DE, 6-2, 258; Chris Farren, Sr., TE/LB, 6-1, 210

Returning lettermen: Andrew Buckley, Jr., QB/LB, 5-10, 164; Andy Scott, RB/DB, Jr., 5-9, 157; John DiBitetto, Jr., SE/DB, 5-9, 156; Dave Kando, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 168; Matt Smith, Sr., RB/DB, 5-11, 166; Cam Fisichelli, Jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 162; Curtis Davis, Sr., RB/DT, 5-10, 208; Tyler Shepherd, Sr., G/DT, 5-11, 194; Matt LaFrance, Jr., G/DE, 5-11, 211; Dan Canniff, Jr., OT/DT, 6-0, 274; Walter Gillis, Jr, OT/DT, 6-1, 268; Michael Garcia, Jr., OT/DE, 6-3, 224

Newcomers: Jimmy Nguyen, Jr., SE/DB, 5-7, 146; Dennis Torres, Sr., QB/DB, 6-1, 182; Nygil Nelson, Jr., SE/DB, 6-0, 160; Andrew Ouellette, Soph., QB/DB, 5-11, 150; Chris Berganti, Soph., SE/DB, 6-1, 170; Mike Sullivan, Soph., QB/DB, 5-11, 150; Jose Polanco, Sr., SE/DB, 5-8, 145; Jay Karamourtopoulos, Sr., RB/DB, 5-6, 161; Tom LaCroix, Soph., RB/DB, 5-9, 147; Billy Condurelli, Jr., RB/DB, 5-8, 148; Harrison Davis, Jr., RB/DB/K, 5-9, 173; Mike Amaral, Soph., FB/LB, 5-10, 170; Zach Lattrell, Soph., FB/LB, 6-0, 190; Greg Brown, Sr., OT/DT 6-0, 209; Matt Smith, Jr., G/LB, 5-10, 175; Steve Provost, Sr., C/DT, 5-6, 187; Pat Guidi, Jr., C/DT, 5-8, 204; Andrew McCarthy, Soph., C/DE, 5-10, 170; Pat Rooney, Soph., OT/DE, 6-2, 185; Jimmy Haddad, Jr., G/LB, 5-11, 192; Michael Fillipon, Sr., OT/DT, 5-8, 200; Jason Warren, Jr., G/LB, 6-0, 190; Jeff Martin, Sr., G/DE, 5-11, 195; Ian Camire, Sr., G/DE, 5-10, 180; Mauriel Alfonso, Jr., OT/DE, 6-0, 202; Matt Derrikson, Soph., OT/DT, 6-2, 222; Joe McCarthy, Sr., OT/DE, 6-1, 200; Andrew Guyer, Jr., TE/LB, 6-0, 183; Brendan Walsh, Jr., TE/DB, 6-4, 185; Zach Borelli, Soph., TE/LB, 6-0, 165; Dan Leary, Sr., SE/DB, 5-10, 162; Craig Janeczek, Sr., SE/DB, 5-7, 146; Jimy Tach, Sr., TE/DB, 5-11, 162; Peter Gerakas, Sr., SE/DB, 5-11, 180

Candidates in all grades: 150

Captains: Mike Leavitt, Mike Schlosser

Offense: Wing-T; Defense: 4-3

Returning leaders: Mike Leavitt 228-1,500-6.6 rushing; Mike Smith 52-170-3.3, Shain Jowett 40-86-653, 5 TD passes; Leavitt 10-186-18.6 receiving; Leavitt 20 TDs

Returning honorees: Mike Leavitt, Eagle-Tribune All Star, All-Scholastic; Mike Schlosser, All-MVC; Justin Narbonne, All-MVC

Assistants: Bob Jowett, Mike Leal, Ernie DiFiore, John Sexton, Sean Finneran, Ned Finneran, Jarrod Brown, Scott Boyle, Sully Grella, Frosh.; Mike Clements, Frosh.; Tom Forzese, Frosh.; Tom Canto, Frosh.

Opener: Saturday hosts Lawrence, 7 p.m.

Odds and ends: Central's title hopes may hang on the health of brilliant back Mike Leavitt, who is expected to miss at least two games with a hamstring injury. Leavitt has rushed for 2,653 yards and scored 34 TDs over the past two seasons. ... After being upset by Andover on Thanksgiving, the MVC tri-champs won a coin toss to earn a berth in the Division 1A playoffs. The last time Central earned a share of the title, 2001, the quad-champs didn't have the luck and Haverhill went to the playoffs. Central's last title and playoff appearance was in 1998. ... Central graduated Eagle-Tribune All-Stars Chris Morales, who was in on 15 plays in Delaware's opener, and Bryant recruit Andrew Regan. ... Former Lowell head coach Scott Boyle, who was pressured out of his job with the Red Raiders last season, has joined the Central Catholic staff as a volunteer. Boyle was MVC Coach of the Year last year.

Coach Chuck Adamopoulos (11th year, 72-35): "We have a lot of juniors who have to gain experience on the fly. We have decent team speed and it's a good group. The Smith twins (Michael and Matt) have done an outstanding job at running back. They should help pick up the slack with (Mike) Leavitt hurt. (Shain) Jowett has had a very good preseason. It's great to have a returning quarterback. (tight end) Chris Farren has also had a very good camp. We are counting on a big year from (tackle) Mike Schlosser and Zak (Adamopoulos) is back. Zach Lattrell will be our middle linebacker and Mike Smith and Farren will be at the other (linebacker) spots. Adrien Mendez has had a hamstring injury, but he's back and will help us in the defensive backfield."