Re: Akeem is class of 2013

Akeem was accepted to Amherst College. He will play football there as well. Will keep you updated.

End of AB football for Akeem

Here is picture taken after the lost on Dec 2nd to Dracut. The Dual County League Large School champion, Acton-Boxboro, finished the season at 10-2. It was the Colonials’ first postseason appearance since 2004

Congrats to all the team and especially to Akeem who is the true definition of a Student-Athlete. Whoever wears the #32 after this will have pretty big shoes to fill.

Re: Acton/Boxboro is the 2008 Dual County League Champions

Acton-Boxborough seniors (Rear, L-R) Robby Ruggeiro, Anthony Gray, Evan Hutton, Matt Buckingham, Alex DiBartolomeo, Ben Fitzer, Mark Bitoni, Kyle Curry, Tobe Bartkus, Pierre Gross, Shiva Devarajan (Middle) JP Ashline, Matt Bedford, Akeem Mercury, Trevor Jeanson, Alex Kastrinelis, Henry Oliveira, Austin Laymance, Ryan Crumlish (Bottom) Miles Kula, Christian Ruiz, Mark Saponaro, Alex Mueller Staff photo: John Walker

Stars, supporting cast primed for finale
By Stephen Tobey
Wed Nov 26, 2008, 03:35 PM EST
Acton, Mass. -

Most people only see the Acton-Boxborough football team on game day.They see the players who carry the ball and score the touchdowns. They see the big hits.What most people don’t see is what the Colonials do during the rest of the week, when everyone, starter and non-starter alike, works to make what happens on Friday nights possible.“They’re all part of the team,” said A-B coach Bill Maver. “I tell everyone that you can’t be good on Friday nights unless you’re good the rest of the week.”There are 24 seniors on this year’s Acton-Boxborough football team, which won the Dual County League Large School title.Thursday’s game with Westford Academy will be their final game at Leary Field. They will play at least one more game, however, facing Merrimack Valley Conference champion Dracut on Tuesday in the MIAA Division 1A semifinals.Some of the seniors have been playing football since they were 8 years old, getting their start in the A-B Pop Warner program. Others just started playing football this year. All of them have made their mark on the program, allowing the Colonials to return to the postseason for the first time since 2004.What follows is a look at each senior with some comments from coach Bill Maver and other members of the A-B coaching staff.

J.P. Ashline
Maver: “He’s done a great job on special teams.”
Assistant coach Ray Gallant: He’s selfness and has made some big plays. He can always be counted on to put the team ahead of himself.”

Tobe Bartkus
“He started the season injured but has been doing a fantastic job on the kickoff team. He’s a team player and has some good people ahead of him.”

Matt Bedford
“He came back after two years away. He’s come through big on special teams and made some great defensive plays against Lincoln-Sudbury.”

Mark Bitonti
“He’s been a defensive tackle and played special teams. He’s a hard worker in practice and on the scout team.”

Matt Buckingham
Maver: “This is his first year of football. He’s our most improved player and he’s not afraid to stick his nose in there.”

Ryan Crumlish
“He’s been on the punt team and played hard and made a lot of contributions.”

Kyle Curry
“He’s had a great year. He’s our leading receiver. He blocks well and has been great at cornerback.”

Shiva Devarajan
: “He’s been with us for four years. He’s worked hard and contributed on special teams. He made a great play on a kickoff against Chelmsford.”

Alex DiBartolomeo
“He’s had a great year at defensive tackle. He’s quick and tough. He’s always playing against bigger people and he’s done well punting and playing fullback.”

Ben Fitzer
“He’s played great. He was a [Dual County League] all-star last year. He’s done great on offense and defense and has been versatile on defense, playing linebacker, plugger and on the defensive line.”

Anthony Gray
: “He’s had a great year as a pulling guard in front of Trevor Jeanson.”

Pierre Gross
“He’s a good special teams player, always willing to help out.”

Evan Hutton
“On both sides of the ball, he’s made big plays. He’s made several sacks and tackles for a loss.”

Trevor Jeanson
“He’s the best player in the league. He’s run the ball well, gaining over 1,000 yards and he’s played well on defense, too.”

Alex Kastrinellis
“He’s the leader of the offense. He’s thrown more near-touchdown passes than anyone. He always comes through when we need him.”

Miles Kula
“This is his first year playing football. He’s worked hard in practice, doing kickoffs and field goals.”

Austin Laymance
“He’s come through for us in big situations. He’s a smart player who has made the most of his ability.”

Akeem Mercury
“He goes 100 percent all the time, on every play. He’s great on both sides of the ball, blocks well and has made big plays on defense.”

Alex Mueller
“He came back here after he moved. He was injured but has worked really hard.”

Garrett Mullin
“He’s been with us for two years. He’s been outstanding on kickoffs and made some big tackles.”

Henry Oliveira
“He’s our manager and he’s been invaluable, a great kid and he’s done an awesome job.”

Robby Ruggiero
“The best defensive player in the league. He’s the leader of our defense and our leading tackler.”

Christian Ruiz
“He’s played a lot on special teams and has done a good job on the scout team.”

Mark Saponaro
“He’s an undersized guard, but pound-for-pound one of the toughest players.”

next week
For a look at Dracut, the team A-B will be playing in the MIAA Eastern Mass. Division 1A playoff game on Tuesday, visit www.wickedlocal.com/Acton on Monday.