The Windham High School Jaguars are coming off an 8-3 season.

This year they are moving up to Division IV after ending their season with a loss in the championship against St. Thomas Aquinas.

With the upcoming season approaching rapidly, head coach Bill Raycraft seems confident in his group.

“We know going up a division will be a change, and the players will need to adjust to that level,” said Raycraft. “We do return a solid group of starters from last year’s team, and we have expectations that they will play the way they are capable of.”

Last year, the Jaguar’s offense powered the team, finishing the regular season averaging more than 37 points per game, which helped keep the pressure off the defense.

This year, the team looks to be more balanced.

That balance will allow the offense to change things up, alter the tempo of the game and be a little more creative.

The strong offensive line is a major part of their offense, and they are expected to keep creating holes for the runningbacks like they did a year ago for their leading rusher, fullback Kevin Cooney.
The Jaguars made one serious change in moving last year’s tight end, Danny Cannone to running back this year.

“He has been impressive so far,” Raycraft said of his new back.

The Jaguar’s defense is going to be aggressive this year and will force teams to have to make quick decisions, which usually leads to mistakes.

With the team being more balanced, Raycraft hopes this will allow them to play faster and take a few more chances than they have in the past.

The defense also welcomes newcomer Chris Ferri. He is one of the fastest players on the team and should make a big impact on the squad, said Raycraft.

The Jaguars are returning some core players that should help make the transition to the new division.

Joe Lorenz is returning at quarterback and safety and is expected to be among the top players in the division. Cannone is also a standout on defense.

The fullback, Cooney is returning, and also plays linebacker along side of Corey Alberico.
The secondary should be stronger with Joe Frake, now a sophomore with a year under his belt.
Lorenz and Alberico are the two returning captains this fall, and they have just added Cannone as the third, with another to be named later.

These three look forward to leading the Jaguars to more success in a tougher division.

“We had a great week of double sessions followed by going away to camp. This team is close, with many of them having played next to each other here at Windham High School for the past three or four years,” said Raycraft.

A new division, the same expectations.