Last fall the Ashland football team put together a one-loss campaign, enabling the Clockers to grab the Tri-Valley League Championship. In addition to being the top dog in the TVL, Ashland earned a berth in the Division 4 Football Tournament, where they took out Danvers in the first round but fell to Tewksbury Memorial in the Round of 8. 

Photo supplied by the Ashland Football’s Facebook Page

Ashland has consistently found themselves atop the TVL throughout the years, battling for the championship. Coach Andrew MacKay has built a culture at Ashland where they have been able to play competitively year in and year out. Last year’s league championship team was very senior-laden, and the incoming squad is going to showcase something different this fall.

“It’s going to be different, but I am super excited for all the kids who have waited for their turn behind the talented seniors on last year's team,” the Clocker Coach said. “We have enough talent here and will once again prove to be a formidable opponent.”

MacKay noted that the MIAA adjusted the pre-season this fall across the state, so all high school football teams will have less time to prepare than in the past. Ashland will open the season with Westborough on Sept. 11.

Two athletes who did get to see action last year and will be returning to take to the field this fall for Ashland will be seniors Patrick St. Peter and Owen Wolfram. Both players will be playing on both sides of the ball this year. St. Peter will play linebacker and lineman for Ashland; last fall, he recorded 35 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Both St. Peter and Wolfram were named to the TVL All-Star team last year. 

“He is the heart of this team,” MacKay said. “He not only sets the tone for us, but he is a tough, lead-by-example player. He is our heartbeat.”

As for Wolfram, the now senior, played safety for the Clockers last fall, where he totaled 44 tackles (25 solo) and had 2 interceptions, but this season he’ll line up under center as the team’s first-year quarterback. The new Clocker quarterback is a tremendously smart individual who should be able to take the reins and move the team forward.

“I am excited for Owen this year as he will finally get his turn after playing behind some talented quarterbacks,” the Coach said. “He’ll have his year, and then we’ll have to go to another quarterback next year, but that’s the nature of the beast with high school sports; athletes are only here for four years, and as a coach you’re rotating continually.”

Wolfram possesses the intelligence of a quarterback and will once again be a top-notch safety for Ashland while calling the defensive plays.

Looking at what he has returning and the possibility of kids joining the program, MacKay knows that his team will definitely be inexperienced as starters, but having 20 seniors gracing the roster who are ready to make the leap and take the Clockers to another league championship. 

“It’s going to be a great year watching the younger kids growing with the team,” he said. “Based on last year, we will be younger, but these guys are ready to step up. We built that competitive culture, and everyone is looking to keep this team moving in the right direction.”

MacKay noted that he always looks forward to league games, as they mean so much, but non-league games are just as important. This fall, Ashland has hooked up with TVL small-school Bellingham, as well as two higher-division games with Division 2 schools Westboro and Algonquin Regional. 

Photo supplied by the Ashland Football’s Facebook Page