11 local high school football stars to watch this fall

Pigskin fans, the wait is almost over.

The 2024 high school football season will begin in five days.

Of The Sun’s 18 local teams — 16 in Massachusetts, two in New Hampshire — eight will begin play Friday night.

Some things are certain. It will be excitement. It will be bad weather, especially since the season will stop towards November. There will be nail-biting endings.

And there will be plenty of stars shining on the grill. Here are 11 returning Sun All-Stars who are expected to have impressive falls.

Thomas Brown

One of the top high school wrestlers in the nation, Brown is certainly no slouch on the football field.

A dominant player throughout his career at Chelmsford, Brown will enter his senior season as one of the top linemen in the state. A 6-3, 285-pound force, Brown recorded 40 pancake blocks as an offensive lineman last fall.

Defensively, he compiled three sacks, seven tackles for loss and 41 total tackles. He was an MVC All-Conference selection for the second consecutive season.

“He’s a tenacious competitor and a kid who has this ultimate desire to physically dominate you with his approach and the way he plays. We’re going to play guys that are going to play in our systems on offense and defense, and he’s always done a really good job. He towed the line out there and did exactly what he’s supposed to do, and we’re just hoping to have a big effort like we’ve had the last three years from him,” head coach George Peterson said.

Aviren Chitpaseuth

As a junior at Greater Lowell Tech, Chitpaseuth was a fixture on both sides of the ball.

The running back gained 1,370 yards on 163 carries and scored 92 runs. He also caught 16 passes for 170 yards. In three seasons, Chitpaseuth has rushed for 3,370 yards.

Defensively, the three-time CAC all-star made 67 tackles from his linebacker position.

“He had a great workout in the offseason and works hard at his craft. We have high expectations for him as he will be a workhorse behind an offensive line that returns four starters. He has taken on more of a leadership role and created a high standard and expectations for himself and his teammates,” said head coach Shane Abrams.

Ryan Conley

Despite being a sophomore last fall, the speedy Conley turned a lot of heads for Lowell.

Conley led the Red Raiders in receptions for the second straight year with 68. He posted 946 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. He especially shined against Milford with a huge 168-yard, two-touchdown effort.

Defensively, the MVC All-Conference selection was second on the team with 56 tackles and the cornerback made 40 solo stops.

“Ryan Conley is back and he’s just a junior wide receiver/free safety. Versatile player and has great instincts on the football field,” head coach Scott Boyle said.

Judd Dorival

As a junior, Dorival was a dominant player on both sides of the ball for Billerica.

Offensively, he rushed for 1,401 yards and 14 touchdowns. Showing his versatility, Dorival also caught a touchdown pass and gained 402 yards passing. Defensively, the cornerback caught four passes and made 29 tackles.

Shining under the bright lights of Fenway Park, he shined in a win over rival Chelmsford, scoring twice and rushing for over 100 yards.

“Another great young man who works extremely hard every day. He has great vision as a runner and is very quick. He also starts as a defensive back and is on the college radar screen as a prospect in the class of 2025,” said head coach Duane Sigsbury.

Nate Duggan

Duggan put himself on the map with an outstanding second season for Chelmsford.

Small and cool, Duggan broke a program record for most catches (53) in a season for an underclassman. He turned the catches into 535 yards and five touchdowns. He was named Chelmsford’s Offensive MVP.

Defensively, the MVC All-Conference selection recovered one fumble and made 40 tackles.

“He might be the best competitor I’ve ever trained. It really doesn’t matter to him what his size is or what the size of the opponent he’s up against is. He’s going to give you everything he’s got,” Peterson said. “At times, it was a must because he has a really good knack for finding weak spots and has the ability to break away in terms of speed and quickness.”

Steven Gentile

Taking over for star quarterback JT Green, Gentile made sure Billerica didn’t miss a beat last season.

As a junior, he was named the Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2 Player of the Year.

He threw for 11 touchdowns and 1,389 yards. He also ran elusively, gaining 910 yards on the ground and rushing for 13 TDs. Gentile was a big reason the Indians posted a 9-2 record and earned an exciting 29-27 overtime win over Plymouth South in a Division 3 first-round game.

Sigsbury calls Gentile “an outstanding young man and an exceptional player. He is a very tough young man who is our starting quarterback and OLB starter. He is also our punter. He works extremely hard and never takes a day off.”

Manny Mengata

The powerful 5-11, 215-pound Mengata figures to dominate on both sides of the ball as a Tewksbury senior.

Last fall, the three-sport star led the Redmen to two playoff victories and an 8-4 overall record. Offensively, the running back rushed for 513 yards and four touchdowns on 97 carries. It was also a defensive force.

The MVC All-Conference pick racked up 56 tackles, including 13 for a loss of yards, and intercepted a pass.

“He was the second player from a year ago with over 500 yards. Manny is very intense and a strong leader. Manny will lead our defense which has many returning starters including his twin brother Colby Mengata, Anthony Monteiro, Joe Barletta, Jonny Sullivan, Emeka Olu and Seamus MacDonald,” said head coach Brian Aylward.

Zach Milner

Last season as a junior captain, it’s easy to see why he was named Littleton’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

He rushed for 5.9 yards per carry and finished with 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns despite battling an ankle injury for half of his season. Out of the backfield, he had 13 receptions for 69 yards. Central Mass. The All-Star also made his presence felt at linebacker, recording four sacks, an interception and 89 tackles.

“Zach is an excellent football player and an even better leader on and off the field. He is truly an extension of the coaching staff as captain. He is the definition of a footballer. He could play any position on the field and do well. Great work ethic,” head coach Justin Leonard said.

Dan Moore

Sigsbury, who has seen a linebacker or two play, said Moore was Merrimack Valley’s best linebacker last season.

Now Moore is back for his senior campaign. Moore was a key role in Billerica’s 7-1 regular season and 9-2 overall season. He didn’t allow a quarterback sack all season from his offensive tackle spot and had 29 pancake blocks.

Defensively, tackling was a big part of a group that allowed just 144 points in 11 games.

“Another hard working young man who is a fabulous person. He is an exceptional blocker as an offensive tackle and is hard to move as a defensive tackle/nose guard. Dan is going to have a great year for us as a leader and player. He is an incredible student,” Sigsbury said.

Sidney Tildsley

Opponents can’t wait for Shawsheen Tech’s senior to graduate.

As a junior, the elusive quarterback completed 89 of 133 passes for 1,311 yards and 18 touchdowns, earning CAC Player of the Year honors for the second straight fall. He also gained 506 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.

For his career, he accounted for over 4,300 all-purpose yards. Defensively, the quarterback collected two interceptions, recovered a fumble and made 43 tackles, 22 of them solo. He is also one of the best wrestlers in the country.

“His combination of experience, ability (mental and physical) will be a huge asset for us at the leadership level,” head coach Al Costabile said.

Alex Wilson

Big things are expected of the Westford Academy senior after a standout junior campaign.

Wilson was named the Ghosts’ defensive MVP and a Dual Country League All-Star after racking up an impressive 154 tackles, including 44 solo stops and an interception from his free safety position.

As a wide receiver/kickback, he scored nine touchdowns, hauling in 400 receiving yards and rushing for 810 yards. He was a major reason WA qualified for the Division 1 state playoffs.

“Alex is a three-year starter for us and was voted captain his junior year. We found ways to put the ball in his hands, and when we did something special it usually happened. He will be playing QB for us this year. He worked really hard in the offseason to get ready to go and we expect big things from him this year. He is looking to play the Div. 1 football in college,” coach Bruce Rich Jr. said.