The anticipation for the 2026 high school football season is building across SouthCoast, with all nine local schools preparing for their opening games on Friday, September 11. These schools include Apponequet, Bishop Stang, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, GNB Voc-Tech, New Bedford, Old Colony, Old Rochester, and Wareham. Each team is looking to make an impact in the upcoming season, and fans are eager to see how they will perform on the field.
Week 1 of the season promises to deliver some exciting matchups, featuring Dartmouth traveling to Bishop Stang and New Bedford High hosting GNB Voc-Tech, both kicking off at 7 p.m. These early contests will set the tone for the season and provide insights into each team's strengths and weaknesses.
For comprehensive coverage of high school football on the SouthCoast, The Standard-Times offers an array of resources including season previews, detailed team schedules, and key player profiles. This coverage aims to keep fans informed and engaged as the season unfolds.
Here’s a closer look at each of the nine teams and what to expect as they embark on the 2026 season:
Apponequet
Head Coach: Zane Fyfe (12th year at Apponequet, 19th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 2-9
Key Players: Joe Procaccini, Sr. (RB/DB), Paxton Canessa, Sr. (QB), Eli Bertoncini, Sr. (OL/DL), and others.
Coach Fyfe expressed optimism, noting that for the first time in a decade, the team’s roster has exceeded 50 players from grades 9-12, indicating a promising future.
Bishop Stang
Head Coach: Dennis Golden (10th year at Stang, 36th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 5-6
Key Players: Josh Oliveira, Sr. (OL/DL), Jason Campbell, Sr. (QB), and others.
Golden highlighted the unity of the team, emphasizing their desire to play together and their goal to make a significant playoff impact.
Dartmouth
Head Coach: Rick White (23rd year as head coach; 38th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 6-5
Key Players: Aidan Gendron, Sr. (QB/K/P), Chase Afonso, Sr. (RB/DB), and others.
White aims for a strong season, focusing on winning every game and securing the Pioneer Athletic Conference title.
Fairhaven
Head Coach: Derek Almeida (sixth year at Fairhaven; 12th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 12-1
Key Players: Carter Frates, Sr. (WR), Jackson Williams, Jr. (DB/RB), and others.
Almeida acknowledged the challenge of fielding a younger team this year but is committed to improving with each practice and game.
GNB Voc-Tech
Head Coach: Matt Silva (second year at Voc-Tech; 19th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 1-10
Key Players: Gabe Figueroa, Sr. (QB), Quincy Stroud, Sr. (WR), and others.
Silva is excited about the offseason work ethic and the potential for the team to surprise critics this season.
New Bedford
Head Coach: Bob Lomp (second year at New Bedford; 20th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 0-10
Key Players: Logan Desmarais, Sr. (FB/LB), Max Sylvia, Sr. (C), and others.
Lomp expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, focusing on the developmental process and the positive energy from the players.
Old Colony
Head Coach: Brandon Mendez (12th year at Old Colony; 17th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 4-7
Key Players: Aidan Anderson, Sr. (RB/LB), Cole Correia, Sr. (QB), and others.
Mendez aims for consistent improvement and competitiveness within their league.
Old Rochester
Head Coach: Bryce Guilbeault (eighth year at Old Rochester, 16th overall)
Last Year’s Record: 5-6
Key Players: Benji Baptiste, Jr. (RB), Connor Nelson, Jr. (QB), and others.
Guilbeault noted the challenging schedule ahead, which includes tough opponents that will test the team’s mettle.
Wareham
Head Coach: Cy Bariteau (third year at Wareham, ninth overall)
Last Year’s Record: 6-5
Key Players: Ty-Rell Pires, Sr. (RB/LB), Amare Rose, Sr. (QB/WR/DB), and others.
Bariteau praised the leadership shown by the senior players, which he believes will positively influence the team’s performance this season.
As the season kicks off, fans can look forward to an exciting year of high school football in the SouthCoast region, with each team striving to achieve their goals and make their mark on the field.
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