CHESAPEAKE CITY — Despite being one of the smallest programs in Cecil County, Bohemia Manor has remained a consistent contender in its 1A East Region. The county’s southern-most school is once again aiming to compete in 2024.
Coming off a year where the Eagles reached the doorstep of the 1A State Playoffs, Bo Manor head coach Vince Ricci hopes his group of eight to 10 seniors can guide the Eagles to another successful season. Bo Manor has reached the second round of the regional playoffs in each of the last three years, including a state playoff appearance in 2022.
“The good thing about this team at Bo Manor is wherever we need you, you’re going to play,” Ricci said. “We got guys that last year played running back that are playing guard this year. Last year you’re playing tight end, while this year you’re strictly playing outside linebacker. It’s good to have those options, we are a small team, but we got guys to buy in.”
While always a run-oriented team, The Eagles’ ability to run the football comes down to the play of its offensive line and the return of senior running back Xavier Granado. Ricci noted Bo’s depth on the line should play a role in keeping guys fresh. Compared to the six linemen from last year’s squad, Ricci said this year’s team has 15-plus linemen. Senior Brody Vaughan and junior Stephen Barclay return at the guard spots, while Bob McNutt and Drayden Ash will fill in at tackle and center respectively. Ricci noted there is currently a three-way battle for the last tackle spot.
“It really helps the starters a lot having the backups. So when we are gassed we can get a break every once and a while,” Barclay said of the current offensive line depth. “It helps us a lot.”
Granado returns after a productive junior season with 629 rushing yards and six scores on 148 carries.
“It’s tough because you need five of them and then you need two guys to snap just in case somebody gets hurt,” Ricci said of bringing in the added O-line depth. “But we have that now and that is big.”
While Ricci admits the running back room is a bit thinner compared to years past, Ricci is excited about his team’s depth at receiver. Drew Lenz returns as the lead option on the outside coming off a junior year with 269 receiving yards and a touchdown on 26 receptions. Dain Lenz, Dallas Fitzsimmons and Khalil Jones are other returners Ricci hopes will make an impact on the outside. The Bo receiving core will be tasked with replacing the production of Nate Fleming, who led the team in receiving yards and receptions last season.
“I’d say honestly it’s just building blocks,” Lenz said. “The amount of returning pieces that we get back, we’re just going to keep building from that and getting stronger from that.”
Ricci said senior Chris Harris and sophomore Kolby Dunn are splitting reps in camp with a competition for the quarterback spot. Ricci noted whoever does not get the starting job will have plenty of other spots to fill in. Ricci said the split also allows Harris to get time at wide receiver and safety.
“I’ve played quarterback my whole life, so being able to play receiver and actually play defense, I think that’s actually my favorite part about football,” Harris said. “Running around, doing what I can and I like playing receiver.”
Harris finished his junior year with 121 completions, a completion percentage of 64.7% and six passing touchdowns. In limited time at quarterback as a freshman, Dunn completed 11 passes for 129 yards.
“Kolby’s a great young quarterback, he’s really skilled, he’s smart, he knows what to do with the ball, he can deliver it anywhere you need to put it,” Harris said of Dunn. “Having him for the next two years after this is going to be awesome.”
Ricci said the Eagles returned a decent amount of athletes from last year’s defense that limited opponents to less than 20 points in five of its six victories. Barclay returns as the lead member of the defensive line following a seven-sack season. Ricci noted his team returns two of its three starting linebackers from last season in Granado and Cole Lindiblad. Granado and Barclay finished tied for the team-lead in tackles last year with 62. Granado added 15 tackles for loss. Lindiblad recorded 42 total tackles and forced two fumbles.
The secondary also keeps experienced pieces in Dain Lenz, Gunnar Preston and Harris. Dain Lenz finished the year with 30 tackles and one interception. Preston finished with 45 total tackles and four pass break-ups.
“We’re replacing one instead of having to try and replace all four,” Ricci said. “That’s huge.”
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