There seems to be two possible scenarios heading into the Bi-County League North Division golf season — either it will be a wide-open title chase or Frontier Regional School will develop enough depth to repeat its dream 2015 season, although going undefeated will be a much tougher task.
The Red Hawks posted and unblemished record last season behind a veteran lineup, but most of their better players have graduated. They still have the talent to contend but things could get tougher as the season progresses and other teams improve.
Greenfield High School appears to have the best shot to unseat Frontier. It didn’t lose many players and could be a major factor if the top of its lineup becomes more consistent. Pioneer Valley Regional School could also contend, but the Panthers’ lack of depth will be tested with a smaller-than-expected turnout.
Franklin County Technical School, Mohawk Trail Regional and Turners Falls high schools are all looking for depth and consistency.
The great unknown — and possibly a team that could challenge for the crown — is McCann Technical School. The Hornets have an abundance of returning players, but their major hurdle will be finding some who can solidify the top half of the lineup.
The North opens Wednesday, with Franklin Tech at Turners, Greenfield at Mohawk and McCann Tech at Pioneer (the Panthers actually open their season Tuesday against independent foe Hopkins Academy). Frontier hosts Sabis International Charter School on Friday before Turners visits for its first league match on Sept. 13.
Mahar opens its East campaign Thursday against Smith Academy at the Country Club of Greenfield.
Here’s a closer look at the area teams:
Frontier
It was a dream 2015 season for coach Bill Fitzpatrick, whose Red Hawks ran the table in the regular season and qualified an individual for the state tournament in his first year at the helm.
The winning streak will likely be halted this year, but Fitzpatrick’s team won’t lack for depth. He still has plenty of players to choose from, and even though there’s experience, it’s still mostly a young squad.
He’ll have a leader at the top of the lineup with senior captain Kyle Spencer opening at No. 1.
The second spot is up for grabs between four players — sophomore Kalen Evans, freshman Bryan Baumann, eighth-grader Michael Corduff and newcomer Ben Zaranek (the son of former Crumpin-Fox head pro Mike Zaranek). Fitzpatrick said Corduff appears to have a slight edge to start at No. 2.
Freshman Colin Bourdeau and eighth-grader Rowan Blair are battling for the sixth spot.
Newcomers include senior Scott Pelis, freshman Porter Clancy and seventh-graders Thomas Graves, James Charmichael and Kevin Baumann.
“I’m not going to take anything for granted,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’ll be happy if we make the tournament. This year it’s an unknown. Other teams are getting better, so I’m going to concentrate more on getting the players on the range and the putting green so they can get better.”
Pioneer
The Panthers have won at least 11 matches and have been part of the title conversation the past five seasons, winning the North outright in 2014 and sharing it in 2011 and 2013.
Head coach Richard Selva doesn’t have the numbers he’s had in past years, but Pioneer should be a contender.
Selva will have a solid top of the order with seniors Jake Willis and Sam Kitfield-Vernon. Willis was the No. 1 players last year, while Kitfield-Vernon occupied the No. 3 spot most of last season and will move up to No. 2.
Two others who played regularly in 2015 are sophomore Garrett Cote and eighth-grader Kyle Maynard. They’re the two candidates for the third spot.
Two other returning players will likely get first crack at the final two spots. They are sophomores Jake Fuller and Camden Baird.
The lone newcomer is seventh-grader Chris Knight.
Greenfield
If there’s one team that could surprise, it’s the Green Wave. Second-year head coach Patrick Maddock has an interesting mix of veterans and younger players that cold very well be good enough to dethrone the Red Hawks.
“I have high hopes for this year,” said Maddock, the assistant pro at the Country Club of Greenfield. “The team has a bit of a chip on their shoulder after missing (qualifying for) Western Mass. by one win last year.”
One of the strengths for Greenfield this season is its top three seniors Tyler Boissonneault, Christian LaPlante and George Balis. All three started last year, with Boissonneault playing No. 1 in most matches.
Maddock said there isn’t a lot of separation between the trio. “They’re all pretty evenly matched and I don’t doubt they will all be interchangeable,” he said.
From there, Maddock has a multitude options with seven players vying for the final three spots.
Although he said senior Ross Akey, freshman Gabriel Larouche and sophomore Connor Pedigree held a slight edge for the fourth through sixth spots, there’s plenty of competition with sophomore Nathan Provost, junior Jakob Desreuisseau-Suhl and freshmen Hunter Roberts and Jake Cote also battling for match time.
Maddock also has new eighth-graders Daniel Provost and Jacob Frank, who will add to the depth and help in future seasons.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Maddock. “We are top loaded with some great talent, and it is a very dedicated squad. I’m expecting this to be a peak year with us likely making Western Mass. with a very competitive team.”
FC Tech
The Eagles were able to qualify for the Western Mass. Team Tournament and head coach Sean Knightly may have enough returning experience to make a repeat trip to the postseason.
He has three experienced veterans who are currently competing for the top spot in the order, although sophomore Michael Patnode appears to have a slight edge in the early going.
“He did quite well last year and worked a lot in the offseason,” offer Knightly.
If Patnode starts at No. 1, seniors Travis Cutting and Hunter Sessions will likely open at 2 and 3.
Dante Rosado, the other senior on the roster, will strengthen the middle of the rotation at No. 4.
Knightly hasn’t made a decision on who will occupy the final two spots. Sophomore Malik Johnsona and new freshmen Mike McGoldrick, Jordan DiGeorge and Michael O’Connell are the candidates.
Turners Falls
The struggle just to fill out a full roster continue for the Indians. Only four players have been to the early practices, but head coach Dave Kennedy is holding out hope that a few more will come out for the team before the season begins.
For now, he’ll work with the quartet, which includes a player from each high school grade.
Junor Kyle Kucenski is the most experienced player as far as match time and will start the season at No. 1. The three remaining players are senior Patrick Salls, freshman Brian Poirier and sophomore Tyler Noyes.
“It will be difficult,” said Kennedy, whose squad faces the unfortunate fate of forfeiting eight points each match if no one else joins the team. “The kids know what they’re up against, but they’re still working on their games. The nice part about school golf is you can qualify both as individual and as a team, so there’s motivation for them as individuals to do well.”
Mohawk
The Warriors are also dealing with low numbers, putting head coach Lew Goodnow in the same predicament as Kennedy.
Will Guyette, a sophomore, returns from a wrist injury and will open at the teams’s No. 1 player.
All of the other retuning players are all sophomores, and Goodnow expects Tristan LaCross to play No. 2 to start. Andy Robertson will likely open at No. 3. Classmate Sam Nelson is the likely choice at No. 5.
Senior Riley DuPree is the Warriors’ top newcomer , and he is expected to start at No. 4. Sophomore Dan White came over from soccer and will open at No. 6. New seventh-grader Tristan Keysert-Parker will be the lone alternate.
“They’ve improved from last year,” said Goodnow. “They played during the summer, which is encouraging. They’re willing to learn and they’re really good kids. We’ll improve over last year, but we’re still really young.”
Mahar
Senators coach Chris Brunelle has a dream roster this season — seniors up top, experienced underclassmen battling for starting slots and enough depth to qualify for a second straight team tournament berth as well as contend for the East for at least the next few years.
Even though it’s early, Brunelle is set with his top three of Matt Herk, Zach Geyster and Graham Green. All three are 12th graders and the team’s tri-captains.
The junior class will create plenty of competition for the final three spots. Brunelle has penciled in Treyton Pasakinskas at No. 4, Corey Sanderson at 5 and Ryan Badgley at 6, but he also has Matthew Palluck, Brandon Green, Shawn Doyle and Stephen Leger in the mix.
Freshman Tucker Ninteau is also back and looking to complete for a spot, while seventh-grader Austin Finch is the lone newcomer.
“We have an experienced team led by three great players who have all proven themselves in clutch situations,” offered Brunelle. “I’m confident that we’ll make (Western Mass.). If we were to challenge for the league, this would be the year.”