The Hollis Brookline football team works on an agility drill at a recent practice under the watchful eye of head coach Chris Lones, rear left. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING

HOLLIS – Senior leadership has paid monster dividends in recent years for Hollis Brookline High School football coach Chris Lones.

At some point, though, seniors graduate and leave voids. This fall Lones and the Cavaliers experience overload has dried up and there are question marks for a program that won the Division II title just two years ago.

“Two big senior classes, two years in a row, and that is something we have to overcome,” said Lones.

“We really only have a couple seniors who played real, legitimate varsity time last year.

“We’re a very young team, been a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. The kids are working hard, and they’re listening. That part has been good, but there is a lot to learn.”

2021 Hollis Brookline Football Team (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

While small in numbers (just 42 candidates for one of the top enrollment schools in the division), Hollis Brookline will at least head into battle this fall with good size up front, something that hasn’t always been the case.

Grigory Dushkin, a rugged 6-foot-2, 250-pounder, will bump out from his guard spot to tackle on the offensive line and will also play the three-technique defensive end in the Cavs’ 3-4 defensive scheme.

“He looks good. It’s only his second year in our system. Before he came to us, he had never pass-set before,” said Lones. “He’s a lot better than he was at this time last year. And he’s got a little mean streak about him.”

Two 270-pound plus sophomores, Tommy Koch and John McCole, have steam-rolled their way into starting spots on the line, while senior Dylan Brown, who gained some experience in the playoff win over Milford last fall, will also be a key performer.

“We have some newcomers who have never played before, working hard to push for time,” said Lones.

“So, we should have a little bit of depth there, too.”

When you think HB football, you immediately think big-play receivers, and 2021 is no different.

Sure, all-DII South choice Blake Bergerson has moved on, but at least one – and maybe two – receivers in a competitive group have playmaker potential.

The first is 6-foot-3 freshman Jayce Cora.

“He has the chance to be every bit as good as (former Cav greats) Matt Simco or Quinten Wimmer,” said Lones. “He could be a big part of a really good group that is pretty much interchangeable.”

Whether Cora is the No. 1 or 2 in the group relies on top returner Isaiah Velez, who could either be back catching throws or making them.

Velez happens to be one of six different Cavaliers vying for the open quarterback spot.

“He’s got unbelievable speed,” said Lones of the senior, who is a two-year starter, four-year varsity letter-winner. “He’s a tough kid, and his poise is something we value at quarterback.”

There’s also a battle brewing at running back, where junior Elliot Troddyn looks to improve off a sophomore season in which he spelled lead back Marc-Andre Thermitus. Ben St. John and Adam York are also in the mix.

Defensively, Dushkin, Brown and junior Ethan Strauss all played major snaps last fall, so that should be a strength up front.

Tucker Luter, Colby MacDormant and Colin Robinson all have been strong in their bids to land starting spots at linebacker. Velez and Cora should lead a young but athletic secondary.

“Communication is huge. If you can communicate, you are going to be OK, run the alleys, tackle soundly,” said Lones. “For the last couple years, we’ve been a pretty good tackling team, we’ll have to continue to do that. Everyone has to fly to the ball. We’re going to be quick, hopefully speed kills.”

This fall will be a bit of a mystery for the Cavaliers, who only saw four different opponents last year. Add in the schedule shift (no longer North/South split, now it’s East/West).

“Hopefully this year will be more like 2019 and less like 2020,” Lones said.

•••

2021 SCHEDULE

Sept. 3: vs. Hillsboro-Deering-Hopkinton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10: at Lebanon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17: at Souhegan, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25: vs. Milford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1: at Manchester West, 7 pm.

Oct. 9: at John Stark, 2 p.m.

Oct. 16: at Bow, 2 p.m.

Oct. 22: vs. St. Thomas, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29: vs. Hanover, 7 p.m.

•••

HOLLIS BROOKLINE 2020 RESULTS

Souhegan 20, Hollis Brookline 0

Milford 26, Hollis Brookline 24

Hollis Brookline 40, Sanborn 7

Hollis Brookline 34, Timberlane 8

Division II playoffs

First round: Hollis Brookline 33, Milford 14

Quarterfinals: Souhegan 63, Hollis Brookline 34

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