Pundits Favor Walpole High Football Team in Preseason Predictions

The Rebels haven't even played a game; in fact Monday was just the first day of preseason practices, but pundits at the Boston Herald and at ESPN Boston have have placed the bar high for the Walpole High football team in 2012.

The Rebels finished the 2011 season at 9-3 and 4-0 in the Bay State's Herget Division. Walpole had a disappointing end to last season. After winning the Herget Division crown they lost their Thanksgiving matchup against Weymouth and got blown out by Dennis-Yarmouth in the Division 2A semifinal round.

The Boston Herald ranks Walpole No. 2 in its Top 10 teams in Division 2A eastern Massachusetts high school football. The only other Herget team to make the list is Natick, who is right behind the Rebels ranked #3.

Where the Boston Herald ranks by division, ESPN Boston does a MIAA Top-25 poll. Walpole is ranked No. 11 on the list with no other Bay State League team ranked above them. Two of ESPN Boston's five-man panel picked Walpole to win the Herget Division, the other three picked Natick despite ranking them lower in their state-wide Top-25.

Senior Chris Collins, known for his skills at tight end, is also earning preseason praise. ESPN Boston names the tight end to its Preseason MIAA All-State Team and says he may be the best player at his position in the state. The Boston Herald lists Collins as an honorable mention for its Preseason All-Star Team.

ESPN Boston also put senior linebacker Cam Hanley, senior wideout/defensive back P.J. Hayes and senior running back Mike Rando on their Watch List for their preseason All-State Team.

The Herald lists Rando and linebacker Steve Thulin as an honorable mention in their preseason All-Star Team.

Walpole will be competing with Natick, Norwood, Milton and Wellesley for the Herget title and a Division 2A playoff berth.

The Rebels open up the regular season on the road against Braintree Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.