Hopkinton High School football coach Mark Sanborn headed into the 2025 season optimistic after a strong preseason and a large senior class that had the coach feeling like his team can make a push for the playoffs.

“We are really looking forward to seeing how things unfold,” Sanborn said ahead of the Sept. 5 season opener, a 13-6 loss at Chicopee Comp. “I am really confident in this group. They have really bought into what we are teaching them. They have a great attention to detail, and they are focused.”

The Hillers were 2-9 a season ago. This year, they have 19 seniors, most of whom are returning starters. The majority of the positions on both sides of the ball are being filled by players who started or saw significant time in 2024.

Leading the way are captains Ryan Morin and Will Boucher. Morin is a running back and plays on the defensive line, while Boucher is an offensive lineman and linebacker.

“They have been setting the tone when it comes to leadership,” Sanborn said. “They hold the other players accountable and understand the expectations.”

Hopkinton brings back several key cogs on offense. Liam Grady returns as a wide receiver along with Ryan Lang. In addition to Boucher, Evan Gronemeyer, Parker Sweeney and Jamie McDonald all return along the offensive line. They will help protect a new quarterback in senior Alex Piccioli.

“We will definitely rely on his leadership,” Sanborn said of the new starting signal caller.

Many of the same Hillers are expected to play big roles on defense, including Grady, Piccioli and Gronemeyer. Neil Rhodes, Gabe Caffazo and Lucas Reed lead the way in the defensive backfield.

“This group has been playing together since they were young and playing youth football in town,” Sanborn noted. “They get along well with each other, and they are really good people on and off the field.”

Sanborn said this year’s team is particularly receptive to coaching and feedback and willing to implement it into their play.

“This group is just so fun to work with,” he said. “The culture and the environment is great, everyone has bought in.”

The buy-in will be important as Hopkinton has moved into Division 2. Sanborn said there are “no gimmes” on the schedule, but the goal remains to compete for the Tri-Valley League and a spot in the state tournament.

“I think the potential is there for this team to make a run to get to the playoffs,” he said. “We are going to go as far as the seniors take us.”