UMASS Dartmouth Loves Rhode Island

By Bruce Mastracchio

It is a truism that people from Connecticut love Rhode Island. They pour over the border every summer to fill up the great beaches here. But, someone else loves Rhode Island, if for a different purpose. UMass Dartmouth recruiting coordinator Ryan McCormack, who is originally from Westerly, loves Rhode Island high school football players, and recruits as many as he can get each year.

This fall the Blue and Gold Corsairs from just over the RI/Mass line will suit up 18 gridders from the Ocean State, and 10 of those will see significant playing time. Stephen Gacioch, a 6'2" frosh QB from Tiverton starts and may soon split time at that position with Jace Pena, 5-11 195 lb sophomore signal caller from La Salle.

Other Rhode Islanders who start include: Connor Ross,LB, Middletown, along with fellow Islanders Dom Massey and Randy Butler, RBs, and Jeremy Jackson, a wide receiver.

Tom Janicki (DL) from Lincoln, Trevor McCarthy (OL) from Chariho and Sean Reall (DL) Classical are all having an impact.

Kevin Gonzalez ( St.Ray's );Ethan Holloway, Westerly; Gayee Myers from Classical; Isaiah Ortiz from Shea and Nate Sarfo from Bishop Hendricken are all in the battle for playing time at their positions.

Making their mark right now on special teams are Josh Goguon and Chris Servidio from Westerly and long snapper Mike Pelletier from Chariho.

Defensive tackle, Jakob Stankoski, a 6-2, 310 pounder from Burrillville, is currently nursing a slight injury, but should crack the starting lineup upon his return.

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth plays in Division III. They do not offer scholarships, but have a nice financial package system, which includes breaks for students coming from out of state. It is close by,so family, and friends, can attend games and, of course, they LOVE Rhode Island kids.

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