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Pinkerton football preview

2006 record: 12-0, won Division 1 championship

Returning starters (10): Tom Olivier, Sr., TE/LB, 6-1, 175; Mike Rottler, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 235; Josh Lane, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 275; Zach Smith, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 180; Steve Eurieck, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 170; Peter Mazzola, Sr., QB/DB, 5-11, 170; Mike Crupi, Sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 195; Bobby Dattilo, Sr., RB/DB, 5-7, 150; Mike LaRocque, Sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 190; Colby Verge, Jr., RB/DB, 6-1, 190

Returning lettermen: Justin Demers, Sr., TE/DL, 5-11, 195; Fred Larson, Sr., OL/LB, 5-9, 190

Newcomers: Jon Farhadian, Sr., RB/DB, 5-5, 165; Chris Carney, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 225; Ryan Hagan, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 245; Brian Pulak, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 260; Erich Lutz, Sr., 5-8, 225; Mike Bennett, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 215; Todd Borchers, Sr., TE/LB, 6-0, 210; Mark Maguire, Jr., QB/DB, 5-9, 155; Matt Mangano, Jr., RB/DB, 5-3, 150; Chris George, Jr., RB/LB, 6-1, 190; Ali Bahremand, Jr., OL/LB, 6-2, 225; Kyle Brand, Jr., WR/DB, 5-10, 165; Shawn Clukey, Soph., WR/DB/K, 5-10, 160; K.J. Deyett, Jr., RB/DB, 5-8, 165; Eric Guinto, Soph., RB/DB, 5-8, 145; Scott Lafleur, Soph., RB/DB, 5-8, 170; Chris Langlois, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 185; Ben Proulx, Soph., TE/DL, 6-2, 195; Ryan Simpson, Soph., QB/LB, 6-0, 195; Chris Trieb, Soph., OL/DL, 6-4, 300; G.J. Walker, Jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 175

Candidates in all grades: 130

Captains: Josh Lane, Peter Mazzola

Offense: Wing-T; Defense: Multiple 50

Returning leaders: Bobby Dattilo 67-512-7.6, 5 rushing TDs; Peter Mazzola 59-429-7.3, 6 rushing TDs; Mazzola 14-238-17.0 receiving; Tom Olivier 89 tackles, 20 assists; Mike Larocque 61 tackles, 11 assists

Returning honorees: Josh Lane, Eagle-Tribune All-Star, All-Division 1

Assistants: Bryon Murphy, Michael Gooden, Steve Tewksbury, Mike Wood, Roy Teresky, Joe Dudek

Opener: Friday, at Nashua South

Odds and ends: Pinkerton won a second consecutive Division 1 state title with 27-7 win over Salem. ... The Astros graduated the area's leading passer Bryan Farris (86-141-1,789), top receiver Juan Amador (34-757) and Eagle-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Ragoza (99 tackles) ... Brian O'Reilly's 208 wins rank him No. 3 in New Hampshire history. He trails only Plymouth's Chuck Lenahan (287-63-1 heading into this year) and Nashua's Buzzy Harvey, who had 217 wins. ... Crushed defending Eastern Mass. Division 1 state champion Brockton 34-14 in non-league matchup. ... First undefeated season since 1993. ... Colby Verge has been slowed by injuries but could be a dominant back, on either side of the football. ... Ex-Plymouth State great Joe Dudek, who finished ninth in the 1985 Heisman Trophy balloting (Bo Jackson won it), has joined the Astros staff.

Coach Brian O'Reilly (30th year, 208-84): "We have a lot of work to do this season before we even talk about a state title. We should be a decent team that is in the mix. Our strength lies in speed and experience at the skill positions. We have some ways to come on the lines, but we have good athletes, who've put in the work and some excellent leadership in Josh Lane."