Football: Mahar Regional embracing change under Kyle Newton

ORANGE — Class was in session for the Mahar Regional football team on Wednesday afternoon. Under first-year coach Kyle Newton, the Senators began their third practice of camp with an intensive study session including using a custom mobile phone application formatted with their entire playbook.

The application tracks workouts and has daily quizzes. The Senators have a regular playbook, but allowing players to sneak in some study sessions here and there on their phones can make a big difference when there is a new coach planning to turn the program around.

Even if a player gets something wrong, they can go back and take the test again for repetition. With an installation of a new scheme on both sides of the ball, the Senators are taking in a lot of new information.

“Everything they are learning is brand new,” Newton said. “Whatever they did last year. They aren’t doing any of it.”

So far in the preseason, there is a focus on pushing the players beyond their comfort zone mentally and physically. It’s something the team is now embracing. Mahar has 30 players ready to play varsity football.

“They are getting pushed,” Newton said. “And they are doing great. We have 30 right now, which I am very happy about. I am very pleased. We are doing everything slow. Building a foundation. We are trying to change the culture and how they learn. Working them. All the kids are responding well.”

Freeland Ringer takes over the Wing-T offense for the Senators. During the last few seasons, Mahar ran the spread. There should be a concerted effort to keep the ball on the ground this season.

“I am expecting big things from him,” Newton said of Ringer. “But I am expecting big things from a lot of guys. The good thing about me coming in is there is a clean slate. I don’t really know the kids from a football aspect for last season. We have guys playing in positions they weren’t sure about.”

Ringer is looking forward to play in a new offense.

“Last year I definitely threw the ball a lot,” Ringer said. “But everybody is coming together better this year. It’s not about me. I am going to be doing more of everything. Running the ball, hand the ball off more and not throwing it as much. I need to figure out my game for this year. It’s a lot different.”

Heyrlackmung Calypso and Ringer are captains this season. In addition to running the ball a little more, Ringer plans to be more of a leader to the younger players. The whole team is responding nicely to the changes in the coaching staff.

“Everybody is more focused and locked in,” Ringer said.

Calypso is going to be a running back for the Senators. Calypso brings speed and power to Mahar’s backfield. Carter Hardy should be in the backfield but will play wide receiver too. Another wide receiver who could see some targets is Cam Swanson.

Calypso doubles as a middle linebacker for the Senators. He could also line up outside. One position grouping that is youthful is the offensive and defensive line. Riley Murphy and Anthony Marigliano are both returning trench players for the Senators.

After multiple losing seasons, the Senators would like to win as many games as possible. But changing the culture and how they do business could be at the forefront, even if wins don’t come along this season.

“We want to win obviously,” Newton said. “But our job around here is to change the culture. We’ve had a rough couple years. But the energy around here has been excellent. The kids are working hard.”

Mahar finished 2-9 last season, with wins over McCann Tech and Quaboag Regional. The Senators went 0-6 in the Intercounty North. Mahar hasn’t beaten crosstown rival Athol since 2022. The Senators open their season with a game at the Woodward Complex against Smith Vocational on Sept.12 at noon.