The Skinny
Last season, Head Coach Rick Hurst guided the Pepperell Dragons back into the post season for the 3rdconsecutive time. The Dragons, are a perennial playoff team. So while expectations probably remain high; Coach Hurst has a new set of challenges this season. We asked him about some of those challenges.
“Replacing an excellent group of players that were not only leaders on the field, but a group of young men that loved the game. Last years class loved to practice. They worked to be better each day,” Hurst said.
Graduation struck Pepperell hard as they lose 9 seniors that were the First Team All-Region selections.
Among those lost to graduation were All-Region offensive player of the year and All-State Honorable Mention QB Trevor Thomas and All-Region First Team selection Tae Hammond. Camron Miles is slated to be the heir apparent for the Dragons in the backfield. Miles was a Second Team All-Region selection for Coach Hurst and the Dragons. Miles is a two-way player who currently holds an offer from the Air Force Academy.
Defensively, Coach Hurst will depend on linebacker Jack Bennett to provide leadership for the Dragons. Bennett was a Second Team All-Region selection a year ago and he looks to build upon that resume in 2018.
When we asked if there were any games that were circled on the calendar, Hurst said, “Every game on our schedule is important. We have to treat them all the same and never underestimate or overlook anyone if we are to make a return trip to the playoffs.”
We asked Coach Hurst how success will be defined for the Dragons.
He replied, “Our destiny this year depends on how well our seniors step forward and lead our team. “
We will certainly keep an eye on the Dragons to see if this year’s senior class can duplicate the leadership of the 2017 seniors.
