Looking good to play ball

Bartlett Goalie Jacob Murphy

Text  and photos by Steev Riccardo

Greetings sports fans!

One thing that was pretty apparent when making the rounds at the local high school football fields this past week was that the schools are looking good and ready to play.   

It’s not only the players that are impressing. Each of the three local schools have outstanding head coaches and staffs that are equally rising to the occasion.   

You can’t help but appreciate Chris Lindstrom (Shepherd Hill), Dane Laboissonniere (Bartlett) and Mike Adams (Oxford).  They all have their own distinct way of getting their teams ready, but you get the feeling its going to be pretty exciting around here this fall. 

Some early View favorites and players whom you should keep your eye on include Rams quarterback Drew Ravenelle, Bartlett sophomore halfback Harry Le, and Oxford Pirates two-way stud senior Tyler Barrie.  You could call it a hunch, but we get the feeling that these guys are going to have big seasons and help their respective teams make playoff runs.

Bartlett Boys Soccer: We caught a little bit of the Bartlett boys soccer practice last week and while there were a few familiar faces, like Evan Anderson and Nick Terranova, on the field, the team is most definitely in rebuilding mode. 

The Indians lost Central Mass all-star Nick Kobel (Springfield College) and superb goalie Tyler Mandeville (UMass Dartmouth) and a flock of other key pieces to graduation, but look for coach Ryan Renault’s team to be ready for action when they open next Tuesday at Doherty in Worcester.

The Indians play at Grafton on Thursday, September 6, before their home opener on Monday, September 9, in Webster.

Bartlett Girls Soccer: The Bartlett girls open Thursday, September 6, at home against Grafton and follow it up with a trip to Millbury on Monday, September 10. Everyone is raving about junior Dani Stone, who led the Indians last season as a sophomore and could be a real threat this season as the Indians look to turn things around and get in the winning column.

Shepherd Hill Field Hockey: The Shepherd Hill girls open their Field Hockey season on Thursday, September 6, at home against Quaboag.  They then travel to Quabbin on Saturday, September 8, and Southbridge on Monday, September 10. 

In a key matchup down the road they play at Oxford, who were 18-0 during the regular season, on September 27.

Shepherd Hill Girls Volleyball: The Rams girls volleyball squad opens their season at Worcester North on Wednesday, September 5, and will be home on Monday, September 10.

Oxford Girls Soccer: Central Mass all-star Emily “The Sweet Assassin” Dawidczyk and the Oxford girls open their season on Thursday, September 6, at Southbridge and follow that up with a home opener under the lights on Monday, September 9, against Uxbridge. The Pirates take on Bartlett in Webster on Wednesday, September 12.

Nichols Bison Opener: The Nichols Bison open this Saturday at Westfield State. The teams had an epic 21-20 contest last season in Dudley that saw the Bison lose on a blocked extra point after an amazing 95-yard fumble recovery and return for a touchdown by Peter Curto.

We are hoping that former Shepherd Hill fullback Anthony Wilga gets to see some playing time. Wilga was on the first ever View from the Sidelines super team for his tremendous sports accomplishments last year, especially on the football field, where he ran for over 800 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

Until next week, see you on the sidelines! Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any sports news and check out the new View from the Sidelines Facebook page with exclusive photos and news at https://www.facebook.com/ViewFromTheSidelines