By Christopher Tremblay

The last time that the Norwood Mustangs stepped off the football field it was first for the program in many a year.  Participating in the Fall II season, Norwood finished 4-1 in the abbreviated season and wound up in a three-way tie for the Tri-Valley League Championship with Holliston and Ashland.  In addition to becoming TVL Champs, Norwood also possessed a Don Shula Coach of the Year nominee in Coach Manny Lopes.

Each NFL team nominates a coach, and one of those 32 coaches will be named Coach of the Year during an event later in the year. Lopes obviously was the New England Patriots choice, who also donated 194 tickets to the program to attend a game.

“I don’t know how long this award has been around, but it is an awesome feeling, and it is definitely a cool thing for this program,” the Norwood Coach said. “In regard to the team, this was our first league title in 19 years. I told them coming into this season we are walking in as defending league champions.”

The Mustangs fielded a very strong team last year that was made up of a lot of talented seniors and will have only one offensive line returning starter coming back this fall.  Lopes will also see the return of a few seniors who opted out last year due to covid.  

After finishing the shortened season that began late in the winter, Lopes does not think that this year’s squad will be as big size wise, as last year’s but he does know they are much more athletic. 

“The kids have all bought into the program and worked extremely hard this summer improving their strength and conditioning,” Lopes said. “I was very surprised at how conditioned this year’s team has looked since the tryouts.”

Subodh Dhakai, a senior third year starting running back for the Mustangs, will see most of the action as the team’s number one back. Although Lopes plans on going with a multiple backfield, Dhakai will be the Mustangs staple at the position.  Brian Metayer, another senior three-year starter, will see action as the team’s slot receiver, free safety, and outside linebacker. According to the Coach, Metayer is one of the best athletes in the Tri-Valley League.

Sean Quinn, the team’s center and only returner for the offensive line, will make all of Norwood’s line checks and calls. He’s a true leader on the field for the Mustangs and will be around every play.  Matt Alves will see action at both defensive end and on the offensive line and Lopes feels he is due for a breakout season.

“I really feel that Mattis going to turn some heads this fall on the defensive side of the ball,” Lopes said. “He is a kid with a motor that never turns off, he just keeps going.”

Senior Joey Steeves, Norwood’s back-up quarterback last year, will line up under center this fall. Steeves put a lot of work in during the off-season in order to get this opportunity.  Looking to get the ball from Steeves will be receivers Ryan Flynn, who also plays free safety; Igor Reese, and Ryan Kelley, a junior who will also see action at cornerback and outside linebacker. This group of receivers may not possess the finesse of some of the past Norwood receivers, but they are all tough kids and contributed highly in terms of blocking to allow the Norwood backs to eclipse 1800 yards on the ground.

Lopes, who is entering his third year at the helm of the Norwood football program knows that he and his staff are not easy on the players but believes it has made the program successful.

“I push them pretty hard and it’s not easy playing for us, but I feel it benefits the team,” the Coach said. “The coaching staff knows what it takes to be successful on this level and win and the kids have bought into what we are teaching them, and it has paid off.”

As he noted earlier, Norwood opens the season as defending league champions playing in a quality league. Norwood will begin the season with three nonleague contests before moving into the TVL games where Medfield and Hopkinton will be tough.

“I said this last year as well; I feel that going into the season that we can compete with each and every team within the Tri-Valley,” Lopes said. “We may not be the best team, but we will be competitive when we step onto that field.”

In order to recapture the TVL Title once again, Norwood needs to be a multi-faceted team. 

“Last year we had a really good offensive line,” Lopes said. “This year I feel that we are much more athletic than some of the teams of the past. I have faith in the coaching staff to figure everything out as well as in the athletes themselves.”

A returning league championship team along with a potential Coach of the Year, Norwood looks primed to make another run this fall.