As the Belmont High School football team flew around Harris Field, senior Alexander Hoffman felt a different type of energy.
A shortened practice due to field-use time constraints posed no challenges. An efficient flow accomplished more than a normal practice time. Coming off a 2–9 season, Hoffman and his fellow senior leaders of the Marauder program sense a turnaround.
“I think we’ve got a lot of talent and potential this year,” said senior wide receiver/safety Casey Regan. “Coming off a tough season is motivation for us. Everyone’s mad and pissed off, and we’re going to use that this year.”
The first four weeks of the 2025 slate present interesting challenges. Three nonconference and one Middlesex League game before the team’s bye week—and the heart of league play—present competitive matchups for a program looking for a rebound campaign.
“The senior class is pretty big, and we have a wide range of talent,” Hoffman said. “I think it’s going to be about outworking other teams and cleaning up the mistakes. We need to do the little things right, and the wins will fall after that.”
Belmont opens with Waltham, a team they usually scrimmage in a preseason tuneup, then visits Somerville, coached by Belmont Public Schools staffer David Pereira, and nearby Cambridge playing Lexington in the conference opener.
The Marauders, who play in the MIAA’s Division 2, should have a good idea of just how far they’ve come in the second year of coach Francois Joseph’s tenure before the calendar turns to October.
“I’m just excited about the year,” Joseph said. “We’re staying more consistent numbers-wise than I’ve seen in the past. The program’s coming together in year two. We’re right where we want to be.”
Defense will be a strength, but offense is a work in progress. A solid linebacking corps and secondary make the difference. A reigning Middlesex League All-Star and also a standout on the baseball diamond, Regan will catch passes from senior quarterback Kyle Curtis, who also plays defensive back.
Fellow seniors Hoffman (offensive and defensive line), David Maia (offensive line/linebacker), Amir Mollineau (running back/defensive line), Seamus Murphy (offensive and defensive line) and Elijah Pierre (wide receiver/defensive back) bring experience and leadership.
Regan is a three-year varsity player who “leads by example.” As members of the 2023 conference championship team, the program’s first in nearly 60 years, he experienced a program high. Last year had some highlights, but also a few lows. Knowing the spectrum of success and failure can lead to growth.
“We get the young guys to follow (guys like) him,” Joseph said. With 18 freshmen in the program this year, Belmont now fields a freshman team. They didn’t last fall.
Joseph’s staff took new form, including the addition of Belmont baseball coach Jim Brown, another experienced mind to bounce ideas off. A trio of hungry sub-varsity coaches plucked from the youth circuit offer continuity and stability for the younger players. Culture is key for the upperclassmen. In previous years, cliques formed. Not anymore.
“We need all hands on deck,” Hoffman said.
Of course, there’s the annual Thanksgiving Day tilt (Nov. 27) with rival Watertown. This fall’s edition kicks off at 10 a.m. on the road, but that’s months away. An entire season comes first, and the Marauders hope to win a few more games this year than last. Maybe even go .500, or better if things work out.
Early returns pleased the coach. Productive offseason meetings, weight room gains and competitive preseason practices. The full group displays “grit and determination.”
“They work hard, show up, and practice at all different hours,” Joseph said. “Whatever’s asked of them, they do and show up for.”
