Over the past two seasons, the Wachusett Regional High School football team has put together a season record that awarded them a seeding in the Division 1 Tournament. Unfortunately, getting to the party is one thing, staying there is another and the Mountaineers have had a tough time extending their stay.

Two years ago, Wachusett was hooked up with Needham, a team that would eventually make it as far as the championship game before they fell to Xaverian Brothers. Needham took it to the Mountaineers and sent them home after the first round with a 49-13 beating. Last fall Wachusett once again found its way into the tournament only to get upset by Andover 29-9 in the first round.

Coach Mike Dubzinski is hoping that this fall, his Mountaineers can once again make it to the tournament – but win a game or two. To do so, Wachusett will have to have its seniors step up and take control.

The coach noted that Wachusett is a senior-dominant team each year, so they lose contributing players on a regular basis.

“Year after year the athletes on our team have been with the program for years; unfortunately, they lack the game-time experience,” the coach said. “By the time it’s their turn, they have to get up to speed really quick if they want to start.”

Dubzinski went on to say that Wachusett was fortunate enough to have some student athletes with exceptional work ethics - and very supportive parents.

Senior Thomas Anderson will once again return as the team’s quarterback. Anderson has guided the Mountaineers in the last two seasons and is ready to bring his strong throwing abilities to his receivers while providing continuous leadership to the younger players.

Another top-notch athlete looking to guide the Mountaineers back into the playoffs is three-year starter Max Brown. The senior will play tight end as well as defensive end. Following the season, he will be amongst the many Wachusett football players who will take their game to the next level. Brown will play at Trinity College in Hartford.

Over the years, Wachusett has groomed 36 athletes who have gone on to play football on the collegiate level. As of this moment, there are 11 Mountaineers playing college football. 

Jack Smith is a running back and outside lineman who hit the weight room with a vengeance over the off season. He is ready to show off his new-found strength and speed. Also returning and looking to help the younger players move up the ranks are captains Ty Mosley (wide receiver), Luke Vechionne (defensive back/wide receiver) and Tanner Gaffney (defensive back/running back). 

Along with the three captains, Dubzinski will take things one day at a time. He doesn’t want to confuse who is on the schedule with what is down the road – he wants his team to concentrate on the next game while making improvements from the last contest. 

Playing in the Mid Wach A, the Mountaineers will not have any time off. Every team that is on their schedule, whether a league or non-league game, will require the team’s full focus. 

At the time of this writing, the Wachusett coach was unsure of where his team would fit into the Mid Wach A. After a few weeks of playing, he will have a better idea of where his team fits within the league as well as the division.

Wachusett won their season opener against Franklin on Thursday, September 10, 35-28, which perhaps could set the tone for the year. The two teams have opened the season against one another for the past six years. After the Panthers won a few years back with a 36-14 victory, the Mountaineers bounced back last year with a hard fought 23-14 win in the Division 1 opening season game and followed-up with this year’s victory.

The Mountaineers then won their next game against the West Springfield Terriers 50-0, followed by defeating Minechaug Regional 31-0. Not a bad starting record.

“All the teams that we will play are all competitive and masters of their crafts,” Dubzinski said. “We all take football seriously.”. W