Prep Football: Eastern Tech up to the Challenge

coach Marc Mesaros knows that observers of his football program are always waiting to see when the run of success will end at the Essex school.

For much of the last decade, the Mavericks have been one of the top programs in the state. During Mesaros’ nine-year run, Eastern Tech is 86-15 with three state title appearances, winning a championship in Class 2A in 2009.

The Mavericks are coming off an 11-2 record, which included a 2A North title before . The road to another region title will be more difficult this season as Eastern Tech moves up to Class 3A.

That road begins at 7 p.m., Friday when they play at 3A finalist .This comes after last week's game against City was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.

The schedule also includes tough contests at perennial power Hereford (Sept. 23), home against (Sept. 30) and home against (Oct. 14).

“There are no easy games on the schedule this year,” Mesaros said. “We’re in a region with 15 teams and only the top four get into the playoffs. We have the ability to get back to the postseason, but we can’t let up any week this year or we’ll be on the outside looking in.”

Here is a look at some of Eastern Tech’s top players to watch in 2011, according to Mesaros:

• Mark Borunda — (5-10, 190 pounds LB/FB) — Leading special teams tackler; will compete for a starting role at both LB and FB.
• Francis Massally — (5-10, 190, LB/TB) —Two-year JV starter; projected as a starter at LB; will see time in the offensive backfield.
• Milan Barry-Pollock — (5-11, 196, SS/FB)—All-Division at strong safety last season.  Starter at strong safety as well as at fullback.
• Sayvon Norman — (5-9, 165, CB/WB)—All-County and Baltimore Touchdown Club Super Team Member as a DB.  Will start at CB and at WB
• Kyle Bosserman —(6-0, 182, FS/QB) —All- County at FS, punter, and kicker in 2010; will start at QB and at FS.
• Daryn Davis — (5-9, 165, CB/ TB) Very talented; starter at CB and will contribute at TB and WB.
• Kenyon Crawford —(5-8, 165, SS/TB) —Leading rusher in 2010.  Will start at TB as well as contribute at SS or LB.
• Greg Stephens —(5-8, 160, CB/WR) —Very talented with a tremendous work ethic; will be a contributor on defense and on special teams.
• Richard Diesenberg — (5-1, 157, FS/WR) — Excellent hands; will compete for a starting role at WR, as well as get on the field at FS.
• Paul Walter —(6-1, 155, DB/WR) —Very quick and athletic; will compete for a starting role on both sides of the ball.
• Don Creswell —(5-11, 215, LB/OG) —Extremely strong and hard working; moved from FB to OG and will compete for a starting position on the OL.
• Bill Hopka — (5-10, 205,  DT/C) —Very smart, tough; starter at center.
• Hunter Oleszczuk —(6-1, 260, NT/OL) —Dominant All-County nose tackle in 2010. Will start at NT, and may also put in some time on the OL this season
• Brandon Jones — (5-11, 218, DT/OG )—Really physical; one of the team's leading tacklers last season.  Will start at DT as well as OG.
• Rashard Smith — (6-2, 228, DE/TE) —Extremely physical DE who had a great season in 2010 as a backup. Will start at DE as well as play some TE this season
• Charles Rice — (5-11, 194. DE/TE) Very athletic; was a dominant player at the JV level. Starter at weak side DE and will compete for the starting TE job this season.
• Aaron Skeen — (6-3, 267, DT/OT) — All-County as an OT last season.  Very physical player who will start at OT as well as play some DT.
• Josh Stevens (6-4, 272, DT/OT) —Became a starter three-quarters of the way through last season and became a very good OT.  Will start at OT again this season as well as play DT.