2008 Record 3-7 .300 Overall 3-5 .375 Conference Location: Beverly, MA Head Coach: J.B. Wells (Trinity, Conn. '91) Stadium (cap.): Multi-Purpose Stadium (2200) Conference: NEFC Boyd Region: East 2009 Schedule

Studies have shown that some birds, gulls included, feature the enviable ability to sleep with one eye open to detect approaching predators. This characteristic will not be lost on the 2009 Endicott College Gulls. The Blue and Green will be on high alert this fall as the Gulls keep an eye on a competitive NEFC schedule in the hopes of rebounding from last year’s 3-7 overall record.

Youth and the consequent inexperience that it brings, coupled with a little bit of bad luck, helped aid to Endicott’s misfortune in 2008. Of the Gulls’ seven losses, three were by a touchdown or less. After you mix in a difficult early non-conference setback to a tough Rensselaer squad, the outcome of last season could have been far different.

2009 is a new year, however, and the Gulls are ready to treat it as such. Back are 62 players from last year’s roster, including both the New England Football Conference’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Mike Lane (Medfield, Mass.), and the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Kevin Eagan (West Hartford, Conn.).

A veteran group of quarterbacks return under center for the Gulls in 2009. Sophomore Phil Konopka (Shelton, Conn.) is the statistical leader and incumbent favorite to win the position, as he completed 90 passes for 965 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Junior Matt DeOliveira (Malden, Mass.) also had the opportunity to showcase his efficient style last season, tossing eight touchdowns and completing 60.7% of his passes. DeOliveira also gives the Gulls a change of pace in his game management, as he led Endicott to several no-huddle scores in 2008.

The lone senior of the quarterback group is captain Dan Leary (Stratham, N.H.). The Gulls’ leader will be called upon to provide guidance to the group as well as make major contributions on the special teams. Freshman newcomer John Cassidy (Swampscott, Mass.) will help push the upperclassmen after a successful high school career at Cushing Academy.

The running back position will be a bright spot for Endicott as they charge into 2009. The Gulls welcome the return of the aforementioned Offensive Rookie of the Year Mike Lane, who led the Gulls last year with 698 yards on 89 carries, resulting in five rushing touchdowns. Lane also caught eight balls out of the backfield for 174 yards and two additional scores. Veteran Colby Hawkins (Scituate, Mass.) will also see a ton of reps, as he averaged four yards per carry a year ago.

Sophomore Topher Pochebit (Portland, Maine) looks to provide some much needed depth as he returns to the field after a season ending injury. A strong freshmen recruiting class of Jared DiBiase (Cranston, R.I.), Cory Sweeney (Hazelwood, N.C.), Miguel Marin (Miami, Fla.), Delroy MacDonald (Boston, Mass.) and Brandon Lee (Boston, Mass.) all posted impressive camps and will compete for field time in the backfield and on special teams.

The fullback position is wide open after the graduation of standout JD Krolikowski (Bristol, Conn.). Tyler Felix (Foxboro, Mass.) is the veteran of the group and has made a smooth transition from tailback, and will provide toughness and athleticism at the position. Sophomore Rob Modoono (Boxford, Mass.) saw time last season and provides the Gulls with strong blocking abilities and another passing threat out of the backfield. Sophomore Justin Burl (Newburyport, Mass.) had a solid preseason and will also challenge for some special teams contributions in the punter’s role.

All-Conference recipient and captain Tim Viall (Sandwich, Mass.) returns for his senior season to anchor the tight end position. Viall led the Gulls with five touchdown catches last season and finished second on the team in receiving yards (252). Sophomores Taylor Allen (Westboro, Mass.) and DJ Kirsch (Madison, Conn.) are joined by newcomer Mac Manning (Cockeysville, Md.) to add great depth to the heavily used tight end slot.

A youth movement has taken place on the offensive line, as seniors James Kallinich (Meriden, Conn.), Darren Smith (Rockland, Mass.) and Sarkis Sarkisian (Peabody, Mass.) will need to anchor a relatively young group. Kallinich has started at center the last three years for the Gulls and is instrumental in making most line calls for his teammate’s assignments. Smith has seen significant action at the tackle spot and will be relied upon to provide leadership for his peers. Sarkisian came back from a major knee injury two years ago to see some time at the guard position a year ago.

The sophomore class will be instrumental in the success of the Gulls upfront as Sean Gaffney (Worcester, Mass.), Mark Ledbetter (Norton, Mass.), Nick Molinari (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Andrew Fellini (Walpole, Mass.) look to build upon their respective freshman seasons. Fellow sophomores Mike Zupkosky (Westford, Mass.) and Patrick McMenimen (Exeter, N.H.) will add some much needed depth at the O-line position this season. A pair of freshmen in Jason Torey (Darien, Conn.) and Ian Suter (Southbury, Conn.) had strong camps and may factor into the Gulls’ plans as the regular season marches on.

A seasoned crew of wideouts return to provide the quarterbacks a viable group of downfield threats. Senior Aaron Santos (Cambridge, Mass.), junior Neil Powers (Westford, Mass.) and sophomores Mike Fimiani (Melrose, Mass.) and Ryan Carino (Statford, Conn.) all saw substantial time last year and made solid contributions to the Gulls’ balanced passing attack. Fimiani was the most productive of the group in 2008, catching 20 balls for 239 yards (11.9 yards per catch) with one touchdown. Santos got into the endzone twice a year ago, while also averaging 13.4 yards per return in the punting game. The Gulls will also look to Mike Drinkwater (Hamilton, Mass.) to make plays at the receiver position, as the junior had a stellar camp and looks to make an impact in 2009.

One of the strongest positions in this year’s recruiting class, the Gulls add receivers Cam Lett (Waltham, Mass.), John Horvath (West Haven, Conn.), James Nguyen (Methuen, Mass.), Adam McLaughlin (Hebron, Conn.), Andriquez Farmer (Mashpee, Mass.), Michael Bates (Canton, Mass.) and Nic Emanouil (Chelmsford, Mass.). The group will all challenge to see field time at both receiver and on special teams.

On defense, the Gulls return four starters on the D-line headlined by seniors Tom Sieminski (Plymouth, Mass.), Jason Devonshuk (Oakland, N.J.) and captain Michael Carlin (Wakefield, Mass.). The Gulls also welcome the return of the NEFC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Kevin Eagan. Eagan wreaked havoc in his freshman campaign, pacing Endicott in solo tackles (45), assisted tackles (54), total tackles (99), tackles for loss (12.5 for 49 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 36 yards). The Gulls will need a continued push upfront from the listed trio of seniors, as the group combined for 69 tackles last season.

At linebacker, David Coflesky (Royalston, Mass.) returns with fellow senior Antonio Barletta (Nahant, Mass.). The duo posted 36 total tackles last season which included four for a loss. The linebacking corps also features the return of the squad’s third-leading tackler from last year, Michael Dillon (Cheshire, Conn.). Dillon put up solid numbers in his sophomore season, registering 29 solo and 30 assisted tackles, including two sacks and seven tackles that resulted in a loss of 31 yards. Sophomores Alex Alcala (Leominster, Mass.) and Nick Scozzaro (Wellington, Fla.) will also be in the mix with rookies Paul Bandini (Waltham, Mass.) and Craig Lussier (Dracut, Mass.).

The secondary returns all four starters from last year and has added some key depth by way of the recruiting trail. Richard Giblin (Mansfield, Mass.) and Andrew Pochebit (Portland, Maine) all saw significant playing time last season while Kyle Capsalis (Townsend, Mass.) and Bill Hickey (Walpole, Mass.) will anchor the corners. Corner Justin Gay (Ashby, Mass.) and senior Chris Dunn (Middletown, R.I.) produced well in camp and the coaching staff expects them to make major contributions in 2009. The same expectations are in place for freshman Manuel Soto (Boston, Mass.).

Carlos O’Donnell (Salem, Mass.) is set to take over the everyday kicking responsibilities after splitting time in both the punter and kicker’s role last season. O’Donnell only attempted two field goals last year, knocking down a 26-yarder on September 27th in a 20-17 loss to Salve Regina.

The speedy Aaron Santos will be the Gulls’ main punt-returner in ’09. Santos returned 11 punts for 147 yards a year ago, good for a 13.4 yards per return average. Both Mike Lane and Tyler Felix will serve as the Endicott kick returners, as Felix posted 11 returns for 211 yards while Lane returned 10 kicks for 133 yards last season.

Endicott opens its season at home on September 5th against Framingham State beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Gulls’ schedule also features a non-conference match-up against an always talented RPI squad, and NEFC games against perennial powers Plymouth State and Curry College. The Blue and Green will celebrate Homecoming Weekend with a league game against Nichols College beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Beverly, Mass.