'More aggressive mindset'; Old Rochester determined to play up to its potential in 2024

MATTAPOISETT — Sawyer Johnson remembers how it felt last year when the Bulldogs lost to Shawsheen Valley in the Div. 5 state playoffs and then fell to Apponequet on Thanksgiving, denying Old Rochester the outright South Coast Conference Blue Division title.

“Last year we kind of squandered away a couple of big moments,” recalled the two-way senior lineman. “We have a more aggressive mindset coming into this year. I feel like our coaching has changed a little bit and as well as our mindset about how good we are and how we can play up to our potential.”

Over the past few seasons, the Bulldogs have felt like they haven't always reached their full potential.

“It’s been like that for a couple of years now,” Johnson said. “We're looking to cap that off and to have a great year and make a long run in the playoffs.”

For the Old Rochester football team, this year is all about making the most of its opportunities.

“Compared to last year we already have a head start on where we were last year,” said senior wide receiver Jake Proffit. “This is a better version of last year and we have a lot to prove this year.”

Senior Devin St. Germaine added, “This feels like one of our most promising seasons since I’ve been here. I think if we stay positive and laser focused, we’re going to have a great year this year.”

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The Bulldogs feature plenty of experience on the offensive side with the return of two-year starting quarterback Gavin Martin, who ran for a team-high 12 touchdowns in addition to throwing for four more scores in 2023.

“I’m more excited than ever,” Martin said. “The team looks great. We just have to stay healthy. Injuries will kill us. We have a lot of potential and I’m very excited.”

Two-year starting running backs St. Germain and Jack Leconte are also back.

“Having Gavin, Devin and Jack in the backfield that helps,” said Old Rochester head coach Bryce Guilbeault. “We do have some pretty good younger guys, but those three are leading the way and showing them the ropes. They understand what we’re trying to accomplish and how the plays develop.

“Those guys are captains and they’re leaders so they’re setting a great example.”

Old Rochester also has a veteran offensive line with the return of Johnson, senior Cormac Leclair and junior Brendan Spenard.

“Our strength is definitely our offensive line,” Martin said. “We're very experienced now.”

The key for Old Rochester will be how well the veteran players and newcomers gel on and off the field.

“We feel good about the veterans we’re returning,” Guilbeault said. “We feel good about the guys who are up and coming, but it’s just about getting better every day and having competition in practice, pushing each other.”

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TEST RUN FOR LECONTE

Last year Leconte played running back and cornerback for the first time in his career. Now he’ll be a two-year starter for the Bulldogs at those positions.

“When I first came here, I was a quarterback and linebacker and I got switched to running back and corner,” said Leconte, who grew up playing in Wareham. “I’m excited. I worked really hard in the offseason. Last season was a test for me. I was new to the running back position so I definitely learned a lot from last season, physically and mentally so I think this season I’m ready.”

Leconte is a versatile back that can run by a defender or over him.

“I'm a fast back, but I can also run through someone,” he said. “I can make a move. I don’t go down on contact. It's going to take a couple of guys to bring me down for sure.”

KICKOFF TO 2024

Old Rochester opens on the road at Attleboro on Sept. 6. Then the Bulldogs play back-to-back home games against Bishop Stang and Fairhaven before traveling to Dartmouth. They don’t open their SCC Blue slate until Oct. 18 when they visit Somerset Berkley.

“There are no gimmies on that schedule so we’re going to have to earn everything we get,” Guilbeault said. “Start off with a big one at Attleboro, a Div. 1 school. We can play with those guys. We played with them last year.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Preview of the 2024 football season for Old Rochester Regional