After getting a taste of the postseason last year, the Franklin Tech football team is determined to get that feeling back this fall. 

The Eagles went 8-4 overall last season, including a 6-2 regular-season mark that earned the No. 15 in the MIAA Div. 8 state tournament and an eventual first-round loss to powerhouse Carver. Franklin Tech also qualified for the state vocational tournament, beating Cape Cod Tech in the quarterfinals before falling to Tri-County Vocational in the semis. 

With a roster returning several key cogs from a season ago, the Eagles are determined to knock Ware off of its Intercounty League North throne and make it back to the postseason. 

“We got a taste of the state playoffs last year,” Franklin Tech head coach Joe Gamache said. “It was an eye-opener for us. Our goal is to be back there and to compete for a league title. It’s hard to say Ware isn’t the class of the league until they aren’t. They’ve won it the last few years and we have a ton of respect for them. We also have a ton of respect for Athol and know they have a committed group of seniors. Greenfield has some athletes, Mahar has improved, Palmer is always well coached.

“Our goal is to compete, make a run at league and make it to states, hopefully get a higher seed and qualify for the vocational playoffs again,” he continued. “We’re not in a situation where we’re hoping to be above .500. We’re hoping to compete now with the players we have.” 

The optimism starts with having Josiah Little back in the backfield. 

The senior has hit the 1,000 yard milestone on the ground in each of his first three years with the Eagles, and Gamache said he looks even better going into his senior year. 

“Josiah is healthy and in the best shape he’s been going into a season,” Gamache said. “He’s hungry and he’s been a great leader for us in practice. Obviously an individual goal of his is to get to 1,000 yards for the fourth straight year but he’s more motivated in wanting to leave this program in a better place and getting the team to take another step forward.” 

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The offensive line — led by Caleb Begos, Izaya Romer, Travis Eastman, August Maiewski and Dylan Lafond to open the season — looks improved, according to Little. 

“We lost a few seniors last year but we have some people coming in, some freshmen, that will help,” Little said. “Our offensive line is looking a lot better. They’re definitely more physical and are definitely looking to hit people and make blocks for us.”

Under center, Tyler Yetter is tasked with replacing Gabe Tomasi, the longtime Eagles signal caller. Yetter, a senior, was the JV quarterback as a freshman and sophomore and backed up Tomasi last fall.

“He’s ready,” Gamache said. “He’s put in the work. He’s a different style quarterback than what we’ve had with Gabe but he makes it go.”

Senior Ethan Smarr will be the go-to weapon on the outside after serving as the Eagles’ top weapon the last few years. Sophomores Hunter Donahue, Jaxon Silva and Nolyn Stafford are additional receiving threats that Yetter can utilize on the outside while Tucker Hicks and Cole Gamache will see time at tight end.

The Eagles will be young on defense, led in the back end by senior Madix Whitman, who Gamache calls the brains of the operation at the safety spot.

Whitman — one of four captains alongside Little, Smarr and Yetter — has seen the Eagles take a step forward in all areas this fall.

“I think we’re looking good,” Whitman said. “The team is forming. Offense is looking good, defense is looking good. We’re coming together. Everyone is looking to be a captain and we’re pushing each other.”

Yetter, freshman Brady Gancarz, Cam Laster and Carsten Couture will see time at corner. Donohue and Wyatt Whitman bring physicality in the middle of the defense, Stafford, ZaydrienAlamed and Max Brunette will man the outside backer spots while Hicks, Eastman, Gamache, Nate Sabolevski and Romer will look to create havoc on the defensive line.

“They’re putting in the work,” Gamache said. “We have the luxury of big numbers that a lot of schools don’t. We’ve had some good battles at some spots and with some of the older guys a little banged up, some of the younger guys are going to have to jump right in and hopefully not be overwhelmed. I think we as coaches believe they’re ready to step up but we’ll find out Friday.”

Being young is nothing new to Franklin Tech. With many of the Eagle players getting jobs their junior and senior years, Franklin Tech coaches are in a constant battle to keep those players on the roster and continuing to play football. 

The Eagles, however, have 10 seniors on the roster this season, with many of the younger players getting reps last fall that will help them be ready to go this season. 

“Even though we have young players, they do have some varsity experience,” Gamache said. “A lot of them will be taking on a bigger role than they had a year ago. Most seem up to the task. We have a solid group of freshmen who are still creeping their way in and the sophomores are coming along quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they see significant time later in the season.” 

The Eagles hope to get their season started on the right foot, hosting McCann Tech at 7 p.m. on Friday. 

“Everyone wants it more this year after getting so close last year,” Whitman said. “We want to put a banner up. It will take a lot of team work and working together.”