Football: Young talent rising for Athol

The Athol football team moves into a new campaign with a young roster and some lower-than-expected numbers this season. Of the 25 players signed up to play football, the Bears have two seniors on the roster.

That doesn’t mean there is a lack of talent on the team.

“We have a lot of talented younger kids,” Athol coach Josh Talbot said.

Athol gives the reigns of their spread offense to new quarterback Cam Cox. The junior is only in his second season playing football. Last season he played receiver and running back. He did register a touchdown pass on a halfback pass on Thanksgiving.

“He put his mind to being the quarterback pretty early in the offseason,” Talbot said of Cox “He put a lot of work in and is ready to lead our offense.”

Cox is a fast, athletic player and the Bears plan to move him around in the pocket. His speed should put pressure on defenses.

“It’s been pretty hard,” Cox said. “It’s only my second year of football. But I feel like I picked it up pretty quick, though. I know everyone here really well. The kids look up to me. Me and Liam (Flynn) have worked a lot. It’s given me a lot of confidence.”

One of the best parts of the offense is wide receiver Liam Flynn, who is a certified playmaker.

“He’s a dude,” Talbot said of Flynn. “Every high school team wants a dude. Ours is a receiver. We will find creative ways to get him the ball. But he is a high-end wide receiver. We will look forward to seeing him make plays.”

Flynn has a workman-like approach to playing wide receiver. He has the hands and the route-running ability that can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses.

“I feel like I just go to work,” Flynn said. “I put in the work a lot more than most people would. I really just put my head down…I’m to really an outspoken person. I just go out there and get it.”

Logan Lashua is a running back who figures to get a lot of touches out of the backfield this season. Running the ball effectively is a primary focus for the Athol offense. Last season, the Bears struggled running the football. All three running backs on the roster move into their sophomore season.

“We weren’t able to run the football last year for a variety of reasons,” Talbot said. “Part of which was they all were freshmen. It was a learning experience for them. It was a learning experience for us as a coaching staff.”

A lot of emphasis this season is on the running game for Athol. If the team can move the ball effectively on the ground, the Bears should be a competitive football team.

“My expectation is to just run the football better than we did last year,” Talbot said. “That’s my number one expectation. If we are able to do that, we will be okay.”

Athol is looking for improved play from the offensive line. Seth Manjourea moves to center this season. The junior moved from tackle to center and figures to anchor the unit with his experience. Manjourea is a smart football player with good technique.

“I have been playing football since third grade,” Manjourea said. “I know a lot about football in general. I know what we are doing on every play. It allows me to help the tackles and the guards. I have a great relationship with the younger guys.”

Misael Martinez moves into his second season playing football. Martinez has more of an edge to his game on the offensive line this year.

Jameson Vancott leads a solid linebacker on Athol’s defense. Vancott developed nicely last year and became one of the team’s leading tacklers. Aaiden Hippler is another linebacker who loves to hit people.

“They both play sideline to sideline,” Talbot said of Vancott and Hippler. “Looking to hunt guys down.”

Athol opens its season with a home game against Frontier on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.