Williams College football captain Trevor Powers of Danvers is hoping the Ephs can extend their string of seven straight wins over Middlebury this weekend. The former St. John's Prep star knows the Panthers will be looking to avenge their lone loss a year ago, when they won the NESCAC title.
"Our goal is to win the conference," said Powers, who is the leading tackler on the squad with 17 solo and two assisted, including four for losses and one sack. "We wanted to go 8-0, but had that tough loss to Trinity earlier this fall (20-17, snapping the Ephs' 16-game home winning streak), but if we go 7-1 we will give ourselves a shot at it.
"We have a real good senior group (15 of them), but are very young on defense. A lot of sophomores have stepped up, who may have benefited from another year to get ready — but we needed them right now. Tim Kiely (St. John's Prep) in particular has done a great job. They all bought into the program. It's not about individual stats - everybody has to do their job for us to be successful."
Powers, who is a political science major with a minor in leadership studies, is co-captain with Brian Morrissey, who played for Governor's Academy.
He noted that the Williams' scheme changes from week to week. Sometimes, he said, it spills out to the ends to make the big plays, while in other games it's all inside, where the linebackers have to make more tackles.
Kiely, who lives in Newburyport, isn't far behind Powers in making the big hits with 12 solo tackles (plus three assisted) thus far. Eight of the big hits came in the opening day win over Bowdoin.
Kiely was a defensive end, but as a freshman also saw action at tackle. Now he is back at end, but also moves back inside from time to time.
"I had to relearn my position at end," Kiely said. "I came in as an end, but the coaches rotated me in at tackle on the pass rush last year. I've played both ends and both interior tackles, so it has taken a lot of time to nail down all those positions. My line coach keeps saying there is no time for inexperience, and although I'm by no means perfect I try to step up whenever I can.
The Ephs are currently 3-1 with wins over Bowdoin, Colby and Bates.
In addition to his football duties, Powers has a busy schedule, driving to UMass Amherst for ROTC training twice a week, and will commission as a Second Lt. in May.
"Graduation will be right after that, then I'll get my assignment," said Powers, who was at Fort Knox in Kentucky two years ago, then at Fort Lewis in Washington State this past summer. "I have no idea where I'll be stationed. I'll have four years of active duty and four years in the reserves, but it could be longer.
"The toughest thing I've found is trying to put weight on for football after the (ROTC) training all summer. Last fall I had to leave school at 4:30 a.m. twice a week to go to UMass for ROTC, then come back to school to watch (football) films. It's all about time management, but you get used to it. But it does get a little easier after football season ends."
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Next Saturday, Oct. 18, is Homecoming at St. John's Prep. In addition to the big football game at Cronin Field between the host Eagles and St. John's of Shrewsbury starting at 1:30 p.m., the Prep soccer team will host Central Catholic of Lawrence at 4 p.m.
An alumni soccer game kicks off the day at 9:30 a.m., followed by a cookout sponsored by the Alumni Association. It is always a festive day with games for children, and it will conclude with Mass in the chapel at 4 p.m.
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Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and columnist for The Salem News. Contact her at jmdeplacido@aol.com.
