As much as the seven seniors on the Belmont High School football team love the idea of a storybook ending to their careers, they know their lasting impact on the program might look a little different from classmates on other teams.
They’re not realistically hoping for a state — or even Middlesex League — title. Instead, they want to lay the foundation for a program turnaround.
“We’re trying to turn the tables here,” said senior running back/defensive back Jimbo Kenneally. “Our expectations are just our efforts throughout the year.”
In his words, the bar can’t be lower after an 0-10 season. In terms of wins and losses, he and a few classmates agreed that the goal is a single win. But that’s not how they’re measuring success.
What they want to do is help establish a new vibe under new coach Chad Foster.
“We’re just trying to change the culture from earlier years,” said senior offensive lineman/middle linebacker Utsah Gurang. “I definitely think [it starts] with us interacting with the underclassmen and building a bond.”
Foster took the reins this spring. He replaced Francois Joseph, whose Marauders scuffled to a 2-17 mark over two seasons including a winless campaign last fall. Foster, a 35-year-old first-time varsity head coach, helped Weston High School win its first league title in three decades as an assistant head coach last year.
He’s pleased with the overall makeup of the 55 players in the program. The seniors started weight training in the spring, individually coordinating with younger players to get in shape for the summer. Over the summer, they locked in. Now that it’s the fall, the time is now to lay the foundation for all eyes to see.
“Morale has been great,” Foster said. “Despite their struggles … from the moment I’ve arrived, there’s been tremendous buy-in. The kids are excited to be here, and that’s a huge thing.”
Senior quarterback/defensive back John Cassidy offered a succinct but poignant summary of the why.
“We love doing this,” he said. “It’s been a struggle, but I think we’re going to come together this year.”
Opponents outscored Belmont by a cumulative 323-47 in the 0-10 season last fall. The Marauders scored just eight points across the final five regular season games – but showed fight in a 21-12 defeat to Watertown in the 103rd Thanksgiving rivalry game. Before Joseph was hired as coach, Belmont hovered around .500 for a few years.
Unlike prior years where each team practiced on its own, varsity and subvarsity squads all train together. That’s a boost for everyone, the captains said.
Other players to watch include senior running back/defensive back Damir Neal, junior running back/linebacker Trey Clark and sophomore quarterback/defensive end Ronan Kelleher. Many of the seniors also play for Belmont’s successful rugby program, and hope to bring some of that culture to the gridiron.
In full, the 2026 Belmont High School football schedule. All home games are played at Harris Field.
- Thursday, Sept. 10, vs. Arlington Catholic, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Cambridge Rindge and Latin, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 25, @ Oliver Ames, 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 2, @ Lexington, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 9, vs. Arlington, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 16, @ Woburn, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 23, @ Reading, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 30, vs. Winchester, 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 25, 6 p.m. vs. Watertown
“We’re looking for a single win,” Kenneally said. “That’s a step in the right direction.”
