CHS sports preview: new coaches, football schedule

Senior Matt Bagley is one of the many talented players returning to the gridiron this fall.

The Canton High School athletic year officially got underway this week with the first football practice on Monday, August 19, with most other fall teams beginning practice today, Thursday, August 22.

The 2013-14 year begins with many changes, including three new head coaching hires; a switch for most teams from Division 3 to Division 2, a new football schedule and playoff realignment, and an expanded CHS athletics website featuring a new blog.

Regarding the coaching changes, Kate Howarth has been chosen to lead the girls’ soccer program in place of Paul Turner, who leaves after three successful seasons. David Hiltz will head up the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams, replacing Christa Marr, and Mike Barucci will step in as the new golf coach in place of longtime head coach Jim Spillane.

Howarth played soccer for the University of Miami and also played professionally with the Boston Breakers. “Kate has a great amount of energy and excitement about her,” said CHS Athletic Director Danny Erickson. “She will be a great role model for how to play the game.”

Hiltz, a CHS social studies teacher, served as the assistant cross country coach last year. “David has shown great professionalism and he has a strong background in running,” said Erickson.

Barucci has been a volunteer assistant golf coach for several years and also works for the Canton Public Schools in the Technology Department. He also takes photos for the CHS Athletic Department website.

The new schedule for the football team includes more opportunities for the team to qualify for the MIAA playoffs — either by winning the Hockomock League’s Davenport Division or by earning a second playoff berth based on record and strength of schedule.

Canton will no longer play any of the large school (Kelly-Rex) opponents in football, including highly ranked teams such as Mansfield and King Philip. The Bulldogs will instead open with two nonleague games and then play Davenport opponents until late October. Thereafter the team will either qualify for the playoffs or the MIAA will schedule games with other Division 4 opponents with similar records.

Canton also gets to play traditional rival Stoughton twice this season — at Stoughton on October 11 and again at home in the annual Thanksgiving Day game.

“I love the change to the new football schedule,” said Erickson. “I think it will be very exciting for the football team. It gives them a better opportunity for the postseason. We have been lobbying for this for awhile.”

Erickson said he was very proud that Canton placed second in the Hockomock League last year for the overall sportsmanship award, losing the top spot to Stoughton by a decimal point. Erickson said the award reflects greatly on the entire athletics community, including student athletes, coaches, parents, and fans.

“That’s great recognition for everyone and what we are striving for,” he said. “We want to be on top of the game when it comes to team sportsmanship.”

In other CHS athletics news:

* All student-athletes must have their parents register them before participating in a sport. Registration can be done online at the CHS athletics website. Any student who plans on playing or trying out for a sport must also have a physical exam on file in the athletic director’s office prior to the first day of practice. For past athletic participants, physical exams are considered acceptable for 13 months, after which time a new one must be submitted in order to maintain eligibility. Registration forms and physicals can be mailed or dropped off at the CHS athletics office.

* Athletes and parents are also required to view one of two concussion-related videos in order to participate. Both are available on the CHS athletics website. The athletics office will make viewing available to parents and athletes who do not have computer or internet access at home. All athletes must also take a baseline concussion test administered by CHS Athletic Trainer Christina Butler.

* The athletic user fee remains unchanged at $195 per student per sport and is due to the office by September 6. Erickson said it is possible in the future that online payments could be accepted; however, at this time, payments must be mailed or dropped off in person and only checks or money orders are accepted (no cash or credit cards). The annual family cap is $780. Beyond the user fee, a facilities rental fee will be added for ice hockey (additional $250) and gymnastics and swimming (additional $150).

* Practices get underway today, August 22, for the following fall sports: boys’ and girls’ soccer, field hockey, cross country, volleyball, and cheerleading. A complete schedule, including times and locations, is posted on the CHS athletics website.

A mandatory golf meeting was held Tuesday, August 20, and tryout information was distributed. Email head coach Mike Barucci at baruccim@cantonma.org for more information.

* There will be an important student-parent meeting on Wednesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Masciarelli Gymnasium. All students who wish to participate in a sport this year should attend. At least one parent is asked to attend the meeting with his or her child. The meeting will provide an overview of the 2013-14 athletic year with a focus on concussions.

The special guest speaker will be Taylor Twellman, former New England Revolution and U.S Men’s National Soccer Team star whose professional career was cut short due to head injuries. Twellman, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, has volunteered to undergo a battery of tests as part of a Boston University study on the long-term effects of concussions.

* The CHS athletics website has been expanded to contain all pertinent information for athletes and parents along with a new CHS Athletics Blog and Twitter feed. Erickson said the blog will attempt to communicate, on an archival basis, achievements of teams and athletes; information on schedule changes; thoughts from the coaching staff; upcoming events and other relevant updates.

* As of August 15, there were no restrictions placed on outdoor evening practices or games. Last year a curfew was put in place due to a high alert for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne illness.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Aug 22 2013. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.