Owls Football Kicks Off 2025 Season At Home on Saturday

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT KICKOFF WILL BE AT 12:00 NOON !    (Moved earlier due to severe weather threat.  The End Zone patio is closed this Saturday.)

WESTFIELD, Mass.  --     Westfield State football kicks off the 2025 season and year two under head coach Lou Conte, Jr. when the Owls host Vermont State University Castleton on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at Alumni Field.

Westfield finished the 2024 season with a 4-6 overall record and a 4-5 mark in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

One of the losses came at the hands of the Spartans, 24-10 in Castleton, Vt., last October.   While the Spartans have left the conference, this non-conference matchup has the Owls looking to right last year's wrongs.

"I think we are pretty hungry," said Conte.  "I was a little upset with how it went last year.   We fumbled, had a couple of interceptions, and gave up a 4^th and 15 first down – atrocious.   That film is all the fire we need."

The Spartans finished 2024 with a 3-7 record, dropping five straight after a 3-2 start.

"They are a tough team, they won't come in here and lay down," said Conte.  "And we'll figure out who we are – we just need to avoid the mistakes from last year."

Westfield comes out of preseason camp much more accustomed to the triple-option offense that was installed a year ago.

"We had a good camp, I think we have improved," said Conte.  "From routing, to the weight room, to X's and O's, I thought we looked like a different team in our preseason scrimmage."

There are a number of familiar faces on the Owls roster, but overall Westfield will be young with 35 first-year students this season.   "It's a good group, and a number of them will have a chance to get on the field in an impactful role this season.  We lack some depth in areas so they are going to play."

OWLS ON OFFENSE

The Owls offense will be triggered by junior quarterback Miles Foerster (Amherst, Mass.), who's had quite a route to this opening day.  Foerster started his college career at UConn, transferred to Westfield where he was the opening day starter in 2021, but was then sidelined by injuries after playing in just two games.  He served as a student assistant coach for the Owls last year, but now steps back between the white lines.

"He has as good of an arm as anyone I have coached, and is physically imposing, but he's still raw," said Conte.   "Miles has really done it the right way through training camp.  I make it hard on quarterbacks, and he has taken it well, and he's been a servant-leader at the same time, earning his way into a leadership role.   He even sang in the freshman talent show – he's earned respect."

First-year Manny Mengata (Tewksbury, Mass.) will get the first shot at the full back role, a key in the option. "He's got a chance to be very good, but he's still young and learning," said Conte.

The wing backs are led by 5^th-year senior Curtis Dion (Seymour, Conn.) – "he's been awesome" - said Conte, who has returner Aidan Patterson (East Lyme, Conn) and newcomer Aidan Fausek (Spencer, Mass./ Bay Path RVT) in the rotation.

Dion had 12 catches for 207 yards and 36 carries for 106 yards and two TD's in 2024.

Dylan Disabella, the Owls' leading rusher in 2024, has transitioned to a member of the coaching staff.

"A lot of our coaching staff is new, but they understand what we are doing well," said Conte. Former Southern Connecticut head coach Tom Godek has joined the staff to coach the offensive line, and former Owls all-conference DL Cade Nelson has joined the coaching staff as well.

The offensive line has veteran returnees in center Vinny Cirillo (Chicopee, Mass.), tackle Alex Mitchell (Windsor, Conn.) and guards Jamari Andrews (Gardner, Mass.) and Mauricio Duran (Barnstable, Mass.).  

"They are playing well, and really understanding their assignments," said Conte. "We put them through the ringer in camp.   They are quiet leaders and we need them to be physical."

The receiver slots will be manned by veterans Will Brewster (Westfield, Mass.) and Casey Tang (Cambridge, Mass./Rindge and Latin), with first-years Dorian Keirsey (San Diego, Calif./Helix Charter) and Nate Moreira (Malden, Mass.) in the mix as well.

OWLS ON DEFENSE

The Owls defense will likely be a strength. The linebackers are led by team captain Budder Ferreira (Haverhill, Mass./Whittier), and senior Justyn Gardener (East Hartford, Conn.).  

"Budder's our lone captain," said Conte.  "He loves football and is the heart and soul of the team.   Justyn is ridiculously athletic."

Gardener is the Owls top returning tackler after making 45 stops in 2024.  Ferreria made 39 tackles with 4.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles despite missing three games due to injury.

Aydan Verba (Colonie, N.Y.) and Landon Andre (Belchertown, Mass.) fill the other LB slots.  

The defensive backfield is a veteran group with 4-year stater Zach Allen (Chelmsford, Mass.), senior Tafari Proctor (Amherst, Mass.), and sophomores Eric and Andrew Lovell (Barnstable, Mass.).   The Owls also return sophomore Joshua Marino (Ludlow, Mass.), and junior Tom Cascio (Agawam, Mass.), giving good depth.

Eric Lovell led the team with four interceptions, with Proctor adding three. Andrew Lovell was the MASCAC's defensive rookie of the year after making 42 tackles, a pair of interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.

"The back end of our defense should be a strength," said Conte.

The defensive line returns four- year senior Dylan Zuerblis (Wethersfield, Conn.), and junior Chase Goldberg (Lynnfield, Mass.).

"Dan McCarthy has worked really hard as our defensive coordinator, and gets those guys fired up, and they are senior-led and really confident," said Conte.

OWL SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams will see a lot of the first-years on kickoff and return. "It's a good chance to get them on the field and involved in the game," said Conte, who noted that Dion and Brandon Paquette (W. Springfield, Mass.) will serve as the primary returners.

Kicker/punter Andrew Currier (Attleboro, Mass./Foxboro) is back, he averaged better than 38 yards a punt, and made his lone field goal try last season.

GAMEDAY INFO

Owl fans can watch the game online, with live video at WestfieldStateOwls.com and simulcast on the MASCAC.tv network, which is available on AppleTV, ROKU, and Amazon streaming devices. 

Ticket prices for the game are $8 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and non-Westfield State students over 12.    Westfield State students, faculty and staff are admitted free with ID, as are children under 12.   Please be reminded that no pets are permitted.   The concession stand will be open with pizza, hot dogs, drinks and snacks available.  Credit and debit cards are accepted.