Learning complex systems from a veteran coach can be a bit overwhelming for high school football players. In the words of first-year Walpole defensive coordinator Matt Wassel, coming off a 20-year run at King Philip, “It’s like taking a drink from a firehose.”
In his two decades at KP, Wassel added wrinkles and intricacies to a defensive scheme that allowed the Warriors to become perennial Super Bowl contenders. Continuity became a major asset, since his players learned aspects of the system at the youth and sub-varsity levels.
Now at his alma mater, Wassel (Class of ’91) is leaning on the leadership of senior linebacker Mason Falcone and others to execute checks and make pre-snap adjustments against high-level competition.
“If a team has a lot of different formations, then we have to line up correctly against that formation,” explained Wassel, a standout defensive back at Walpole and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
“At KP, especially toward the end of the season when offenses had time to add more stuff, we would go into a game with 12 to 15 checks. We’re not close to that yet [at Walpole]. It’s a lot for these kids, but they’re doing great.”
Friday’s matchup at Bay State Herget rival Milton (4-1, 1-0) presents a major test for the Walpole defense, as Wassel and other staff members match wits with Steve Dembowski, a two-time Super Bowl winning coach with some of the most creative spread schemes in the state.
Dembowski’s Wildcats have been a bit more run-heavy than they were the past few years, but first-year starting quarterback Sean Lane is completing 64 percent of his passes and his arm has set up many of Milton’s 20 rushing scores.
“We do what we think we can do based on how the defense plays us,” said Dembowski. “And considering we only returned two starters on offense, I’m pretty happy with the production of the group.”
Last year, Milton primarily lined up with four receivers and a tailback. This year they’re using 11 or 12 personnel (featuring one or two tight ends), and senior Jack Kelly has been invaluable as a wing blocker, sparking huge production for tailbacks Peter Skutnik and Jayden Dubois. It doesn’t hurt having a 6-foot-6-inch, 285-pound left tackle in Matthew Wagner plowing the road, either.
As the sole returning starters, Wagner and Skutnik took on added responsibilities in demonstrating how to properly run Dembowski’s system.
“The belief we have in [Dembowski] makes it so easy to just go out and play,” said Skutnik, who is committed to St. Lawrence. “There is no questioning his ability to help us succeed.”
Walpole (3-2, 1-0) and Milton have split two regular-season thrillers since the Wildcats bested Walpole, 42-21, in the 2023 Division 3 Super Bowl. Wassel, who scouted Milton’s semifinal bout against North Attleborough last November ahead of the D3 Super Bowl, is a major asset for Walpole coach Chris Sullivan in matching wits with Dembowski.
“[Dembowski’s] scheme is one of the best spread games in the state. He’ll hit you with any kind of [run-pass option], or use the screen game to set up their deep passing game,” Sullivan said. “When they mesh, it’s not just a run-option, they can pass as well. And what Steve [Dembowski] does so well, is that even if you’ve practiced against it 10 times, they can still hit it for a big play.”
On the field, Falcone and fellow senior captain Matty Myers will try to diagnose Milton’s spread attack. Both are adjusting to new roles within the scheme. As the middle linebacker, Falcone is responsible for relaying Wassel’s checks to the rest of the defensive front. Myers and junior Zach Lamoureux are disruptive interior linemen in a new 3-4 front, and Myers is playing center on offense after starting the first three games at left tackle.
Wassel praised Falcone for his dedication in the film room, which translated to immediate success in a 16-13 season-opening win over King Philip.
“Wassel came into our program and just lit a spark under our defense,” said Falcone, who has rushed for seven touchdowns. “He has a lot of different checks and defenses. He knows what he’s talking about and he knows how to get the boys fired up.”
When Wassel played, Walpole’s chief rival was Natick. But now Natick is a crossover game under the new Bay State alignment, and BSC Herget foe Weymouth is scheduled for Thanksgiving, so whether they’re mentally prepared or not, his players will have to take on their biggest challenge of the regular season in Week 6.
“[Dembowski’s] offense uses all types of personnel. The way they execute, it’s so clean. It’s like a well-oiled machine,” said Wassel. “It’s going to be a challenge, but I love challenges. So it’s going to be fun.”
Nate Weitzer can be reached at nweitzer7@gmail.com. Follow him on X @nweitzer7.