Following a 4-6 season, Frontier football coach Scott Dredge likes what he’s seen from his team going into the 2025 season as it looks to make a jump in the right direction.
With 11 seniors on the roster, Dredge feels like he has the team that can do just that.
“I feel like we’ve turned a page,” Dredge said. “The collective energy and attitude of this team has been overwhelmingly positive and eager. I have great leadership and all the kids are responding to it. These last two scrimmages went well for us and you could feel it in the non-verbal sense.”
It’ll be a new-look Intercounty League South that the Redhawks are competing in. Gone are Hoosac Valley, Easthampton, Lee and Belchertown, and in comes Northampton, Chicopee, Commerce and Ludlow. Only Springfield International Charter School serves as a holdover with Frontier in the league.
Based on results from last season, it looks like a league that will be competitive top-to-bottom. Senior Garrett Dredge said the expectation is always to compete for a league title. More than anything, he and the senior class are hoping to build a new culture and establish expectations for years to come.
“I’m always wanting to overachieve so I want to win league,” Garrett Dredge said. “That’s what we’ve talked about. We’re pissed off that last year didn’t go the way we wanted. A key is to build a better program for future years. You can’t switch everything in one year. You have to keep building for years to come. We’re laying down the base and trying to get people adamant about playing football.”
If Frontier is going to make a run at a league title, there’s no secret how they’re going to do it.
The Redhawks plan on running the ball and making opponents find a way to tackle their talented runners.
“That’s what we’re doing Friday night [in the season opener against Athol],” Scott Dredge said. “We’re going to line up and run it. There’s no secret.”
Dredge and fellow senior Brady Poreda lead the way in the backfield, and it’s a duo Scott Dredge is excited to work with. Sophomore Konnor James moves over from fullback and will start at quarterback, bringing size and physicality to the position.
“That’s a nice 1-2 punch,” Scott Dredge said. “We’ll be balanced in our ball distribution. I feel good about it. I have 11 seniors and this is their moment.”
Julian Adams is a senior captain that will lead the way on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Jack Phillips is a player Scott Dredge is high on, saying he has a motor that doesn’t quit and is constantly on attack on defense from the linebacker spot. Phillips also plays guard on offense.
Noah Poreda joins his brother Brady at corner, and Dredge said he’s confident in the Poreda brothers on the outside of his defense. Jacoby Merrill comes over from Concord, New Hampshire and has been a nice surprise. Merrill will see time at linebacker and fullback.
“I know there’s a lot of excitement with the team,” Adams said. “A lot of guys look forward to this and a lot of guys have been working hard in the offseason. We’re excited to get out there. Everybody missed the brotherhood of our team.”
Playing on the line, Adams said the team has become more comfortable using their voices to make sure they’re always in the best looks.
“There’s been more communication, especially on the line,” Adams said. “They’ve been working and put the work in this offseason. We’re very excited. When everyone is excited, you don’t get down on yourself and cheer everyone on. That’s been a gamechanger for us.”
More than anything, Frontier feels most confident in the team it is building. Garrett Dredge noted how this team has been accountable to one another, something he believes will lead to success.
“Our culture is the biggest change,” Garrett Dredge said. “We’ve become stronger and more accountable to each other. That’s a big thing. We’re taking pride in ourselves and doing what we’re good at.”
Frontier opens its 2025 season Friday night at home against Athol.